By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Stakeholders under the auspices of Rotary International, Rotary District 9142 comprising seven States in Southern Nigeria, have advocated for a sustained public enlightenment campaigns towards eradication of poliomyelitis on earth.
The stakeholders who spoke at polioplus seminar 2023 held at Awka, the Anambra State capital, also opined that eradicating polio requires a collaborative efforts, including charity works, joining the rotary international, subscriptions to rotary programmes and projects.
Speaking at the event, Rotarian (Rtn.) Akan Emah, the District Governor, Rotary District 9142 comprising Abịa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, urged Nigerians not to relent in the campaign even though Africa have been certified polio free.
Speaking on the role of Rotary in sustaining the progress made in keeping Nigeria polio-free, Rtn. Joshua Hassan represented by Andy Uwejeyan, averred that polio would become the second disease in the history to be eradicated in the world if they never relent.
"Vaccines work. We have eradicated 2 out of 3 strains of the wild polio virus from the world. Only one remains. We have achieved regional eliminations too. It calls for celebrations and things of pride. We have made. We have vaccinated over 3 billion children. But we have more works to do to prevent it. We are not yet free until it gets to a point when Parkistan and Afghanistan and the entire world are certified polio free.
"Our goals are to permanently eradicate the wild polio virus, and to stop transmission of vaccine transmitted folio. To achieve this, we need $4.8bn US worldwide. It is required from the members and the public. We set a goal of USD 1500 polioplus per member, polioplus society USD 100 per year on rotary direct until polio is eradicated," he noted.
According to him, what must be done to achieve a polio free world is early provision of vaccines, increased global awareness, increased donation and continuous advocacy with political, religious and community leaders at state and Local Government Areas, sustainable strategies, improve routine immunisation and others.
He recalled that sustained efforts of the Rotary International was why Africa region was declared free of polio in 2020, South East Asia in 2014, European in 2002, Western Pacific in 2000, and America in 1994, while the Eastern Mediterranean region (Afghanistan and Pakistan) is still endemic to wild polio.
Another speaker, Rtn. Hilary Ozor, who identified religious belief as a barrier to the campaign, hailed the efforts of community influencers whose capacities were built to reach out to hard to reach areas and people with immunisations.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, posited that giving to rotary is like giving to God, and according to him, no one who supports the project would ever be hungry.
"Rotary has a lot to do in human development and capacity building. We need to buy into the opportunity. We all have something to give. It depends on mindset, interest and what you want to contribute. We can give, we can go beyond our comfort zones to get people to give. We can. Giving to rotary is like giving to God. No one gives to God and go hungry. If you shovel to God, he will tipper you," he noted.
Other speakers including the Southwest Field Coordinator Rotary Polioplus, Rtn. Olugbenga Olayiwale; Rtn. Sebastian Okwu, the District Polioplus Chair Owerri 2023/2024 rotary year; the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem; and Rtn. Chiemelu EmegoAkor (MD Eldorado Multispecialist hospital, Awka), advocated for more partnership with stakeholders to sustain the enlightenment campaigns on polio at community and local government levels.
Earlier, Rtn. Olachi Emegoakor, the Chair, Host Organising Committee for 2023 Polioplus seminar, who commended the District for chosen Awka for the programme and participants for gracing it, noted that it would have an overwhelming impact within and outside the country.
The event also witnessed advocacy visitations to major stakeholders and institutions, including Amawbia Primary Health Centre, where a polio ambassador and wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, administered a ceremonial polio vaccine to children, while reminding mothers of importance of making their children available for polio vaccination and others.