THE district governor of Rotary International’s District 9110, Rotn. Omotunde Lawson, has revealed that since January of this year, district members have donated $80,000 (roughly N35 million at the official exchange rate of N436.61) to stop the spread of polio in Nigeria.
She made this statement yesterday at the World Polio Day Walk commemoration held in Ikeja and Victoria Island, Lagos.
In her opinion, steps must be taken to prevent the virus from reappearing in the country despite the nation being declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“We are happy to say that Rotary has succeeded in protecting 20 million children from being infected with polio virus in Nigeria. As we speak, everyone is contributing to the eradication of polio. Even as the virus is no longer in Nigeria, we are ready to support financially. This year alone, about $80,000 has been contributed by District 9110 just to keep the advocacy going,” she said.
While Afghanistan and Pakistan still have the virus, there is need for the protection of other countries to ensure the virus does not spread to them, she added. Her words: “Polio virus is endemic in two other countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan and this virus is only flight away. If any infected child from these two countries happens to be on the same flight with a child, who is not immune, the chances of infection is high. We want Nigeria to keep it at zero and ensure the virus does not recur.”
Additionally, Rotn. Demola Olutusin, the Chairman of the District 9110 Polio Committee, stated that despite Nigeria being declared polio-free for the past two years, two new cases have just been found in Lagos.
What is believed to be the polio virus, according to him, is actually the Polio Vaccine Derived Virus, for which Nigeria has been conducting an Outbreak Response (OBR).
“We are creating awareness with the road walk to say polio is still very much around the world. Polio anywhere is polio everywhere.
If there is polio in neighbouring country, it is definitely closer to Nigeria.
“We are sensitising people to take their newborns to primary health centres to get vaccinated against polio. We are also using the awareness campaign to raise funds to support other countries battling the polio virus. Polio eradication is our signature project in Rotary,” he said.
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