By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
Rotary International, a Non Governmental Organisation, underscore the need to reawaken the subconsciousness of Nigerians, and the world to support the campaign to end polio world wide and sustain the successes that have been achieved.
This was disclosed in Abuja, at a sensitization Road walk and a campaign, organised by the Rotary District 9127, to eradicate polio in Nigeria.
Speaking, the District Chairman for Polio Eradication in District 9127, Dr. Khadija Yusuf, said it was necessary for every body to be part of the campaign and contribute their talents, resources and money.
“The significance of world polio day is to celebrate our victory of eradicating polio in Africa and in Nigeria. we have to celebrate so that we continue to raise awareness, raise funds and keep immunizing our children, because it is not over until it is over, until the remaining two countries of Afghanistan are Pakistan is free of poliovirus. We are still at risk. So long as people are traveling in and out of the country, Nigeria is still at risk, so we must continue to remind everybody that it is not over until it is over”, she said.
Also speaking the Secretary, Rotary International World Polio Day celebration, Ayodele Stephen , explained that the aim of the walk is to sensitise Nigerians that the fight against Polio is still on.
“The event is to create massive awareness using the opportunity of the world polio day to show Nigerians that we are happy doing what we are doing. Is a celebration of our achievements and collective goal, coming together,fighting polio over the world and Nigeria and Rotary International is at fore front if it. Despite the fact the Nigeria is certified polio free, however we are still telling Nigerians that we are still in the business of fighting. You will still see us in the street fighting polio, untill we reduce it to zero level. We must continue to engage mothers, sensitize them and immunize the new born, those that have not collected a dose of thus vaccine before. we must look out for communities where immunization is very low to continue vaccination. Our gains is what we have today, polio is zero in Nigeria and Africa, is a win for Nigeria and Africa. We will continue support other countries that still have polio”, he explained.
A Member of Rotary Club, Wuse district, Mohammed Dan-hasssn, speaks on some of the challenges faced during vaccination .
“This is a promise made to the children of the world. Worldwide, to eradicate polio world wide. the major challenges we face is getting into the remote areas to really vaccinate the children. And some of them are cultural, some of them are social challenges, but however, through interaction, through awareness campaigns, we’re able to overcome some of these challenges. But with awareness campaign, we’re able to reach to those areas that were not reachable before, sometimes due to cultural barriers, social barriers, because some people have the belief that the immunizations are going to kill the children. But however, we are able to educate our citizens that immunization, especially against polio, is a proof that vaccines work, because Nigeria now is about nine years now that we are polio free and right now all over the world, we only have Pakistan and Afghanistan that are left to be eradicated for However, the push is still on, to ensure that we continue to immunize the children, against polio virus in Nigeria, so we’re not relenting our efforts”, he said.
According to One of the past District Governor of Rotary International, Ayoola Oyegbokun, no child should be left without immunisation so that they are prevented from being infected with the poliovirus, which normally cripples children.
“Even though we have been certified, we need to continue to ensure that we keep on immunizing the children. Well, we still face resistance amongst parents that do not allow their children to be vaccinated or immunized when we go house to house. You know, with them primary health care. You know, we still have some resistance, even from the elites. You know, they will not allow you entrance into their homes. They will not allow their children to be vaccinated. So this awareness work shows that we are all parents as well. We are all the citizens of this country that if I can immunize my child, then you also can immunize yours, and that’s where rotary comes in to show them that we care about the child from being crippled, and we also show them that we are supporting the government effort to ensure that every child is immunize”, he said.
Since its initiation in 1985, Rotary International’s dedication to immunizing children globally against polio has led to the creation of the Global Polio Eradication Programme (GPEI), marking it as Rotary’s highest programmatic priority.
