Polio remains a cornerstone of Rotary International’s global initiatives, and our unwavering commitment to eradicating this disease is at the heart of our efforts. In line with this mission, District 9111 hosted its PolioPlus Seminar at the Rotary Center in Lagos today, bringing together key leaders and experts dedicated to ending polio.District Governor Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi kicked off the seminar with concise yet impactful remarks, underscoring the urgency of our work. PDG Yomi Adewumi, Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee Vice Chairman for the Southwest and representing the NNPPC Chairman, reignited Rotary’s call to action, urging Rotarians to take polio eradication more seriously. He stressed, “Achieving polio eradication is straightforward—Rotarians must move beyond lip service and make it a top priority. Increasing contributions to the Rotary Foundation, PolioPlus, and Major Gifts is essential.”
Rotarian Gbenga Olayiwole, Field Coordinator for the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, presented an engaging update on polio surveillance, highlighting the innovative use of ODK technology for efficient data collection in the field.Ms. Oluwakemi Oshodi, Lagos State Immunization Officer, conducted an insightful session on improving vaccination campaigns through effective supervision. She emphasized, “Polio supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring every child is vaccinated, identifying coverage gaps, and assessing program effectiveness. This is key to achieving eradication.”
Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole from UNICEF further highlighted the importance of community involvement, stressing that advocacy and social mobilization are critical components in the final push to eliminate polio.
The seminar concluded with awards presented by District Governor Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi, PDG Remi Bello, and PDG Yomi Adewunmi on behalf of the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, recognizing the invaluable contributions of the speakers.
The event drew a distinguished audience, District 9111 Club Presidents, PolioPlus Chairpersons, Assistant District Governors, and committed Rotarians. The seminar not only reaffirmed Rotary’s steadfast commitment to ending polio but also equipped participants with fresh insights and actionable strategies to drive meaningful change.
