One of the most impactful things we have done as Rotary International is to mobilize resources by getting Governments and other stakeholders onboard the polio eradication train. The tool we have deployed in achieving this is advocacy and as part of activities to mark the World Polio Day 2022, the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee visited Owerri, the Imo State Capital city and paid
advocacy visits to His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Imo State Professor Placid Njoku and the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Anthony Emeka Nduka. The Rotary team was led by the Chair, Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, PDG Joshua Hassan. He was accompanied on the visit by the Rotary PolioPlus Ambassador Rtn David Kunle Adeyanju, the Imo State PolioPlus Representative PAG Chukwuemeka Ohajunwa, All Rotary Club Presidents in Owerri and other
senior Rotarians.
The team met the Speaker of the House of Assembly at the impressive House of Assembly Complex in Owerri and were well received. Speaking on behalf of Rotary, the Chair
of the NNPPC PDG Joshua Hassan thanked the State Government for the warm welcome and also expressed appreciation for the State Government’s support for primary healthcare in the state, especially immunization services. He noted that even though the state had not really been affected by the outbreaks of mutant poliovirus which had ravaged the country, there was a need to increase vigilance and improve vaccine uptake among the most vulnerable children in the State. He therefore sought the support the state’s legislators in ensuring that sufficient resources were allocated in support of primary
healthcare and most especially immunization services in the state. In his response, the Speaker thanked Rotary for the visit especially with the presence of the PolioPlus Ambassador Rtn Kunle Adeyanju of the famous LondonLagos motorcycle ride. He noted that Rotary is known across the world for doing good and with the courage shown by Kunle Adeyanju is proof that polio eradication is a serious business which the state government through the legislative arm would be very happy to support.
At his office, His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Imo State Prof. Placid Njoku thanked the Rotary team for the visit and noted the stellar contributions over the years, particularly in helping to reduce the scourge of polio in the world and helping Africa become polio-free. He promised the support of the State Government for Rotary’s activities in the State and instructed that the State Government be
represented at the subsequent activities for marking World Polio Day by the Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr. Prosper Success Obinna. He also promised that the state Government would do everything to ensire that the state remains Polio-Free. In his brief introduction at the meeting the State Polio Representative PAG Chukwuemeka Ohajunwa thanked the state Government for its efforts in healthcare and particularly primary healthcare and went on to list the areas of cooperation which exist between Rotary and the State Government. In particular, he mentioned the many water projects that
Rotary had undertaken in the state and the health center being built by Rotary that would soon be commissioned in the State. The team shared a photographs session with the Deputy Governor before departing his office.
It is clear that with the good relationship which exists between the State Government and Rotary Clubs in the State, the effort to keep polio at bay will continue to be strong and contribute to the overall wellbeing of children in Imo State. Rotary visits Imo State Rotary Leaders with the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Rt.Hon. Anthony Emeka Nduka His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Imo State Prof. Placid Njoku welcoming the Chair Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee PDG Joshua Hassan to his office Rotary leaders with the Deputy Governor of Imo State at his office in Owerri His Excellency.