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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
A former District Governor of Rotary District 9111, Omotunde Lawson, has emphasized the organization’s steadfast dedication to disease control, underscoring its core mission to keep communities healthy.
Speaking at the Rotary District Zonal Summit of Zone 3, District 9111, Lawson noted that the event aimed to sensitize members on their relentless pursuit of humanitarian deeds that continually yield remarkable success in the global effort to eradicate polio and other diseases that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands annually.
Lawson highlighted that since launching its groundbreaking PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has led a global campaign that has reduced polio cases by over 99 per cent. This achievement has been supported by more than $2.9 billion in contributions from Rotary members and countless volunteer hours, alongside strategic advocacy that has mobilized billions more from governments worldwide.
“Today, only two countries; Afghanistan and Pakistan remain endemic, but the finish line is in sight,” she reaffirmed, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to ensuring every child is safe from the paralysis caused by poliovirus. A significant donation was made to support polio surveillance activities and halt the spread of all forms of poliovirus across the country.
She added that the primary goal of the gathering is to train members and unite clubs within the zone to pool resources for projects that could be more impactful to communities, rather than focusing on small, isolated initiatives. “You can see what we have achieved with polio,” she stated.
The summit is expected to motivate clubs to maintain momentum through charitable deeds that benefit communities, particularly in disease prevention.
District Governor of Rotary District 9111, Prince Henry Akinyele, emphasized that disease prevention and control are among the key areas of focus for the organization’s seven service areas. Despite Nigeria’s tough economic climate, he stressed the need to increase investment in humanitarian services.
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He pointed out that Nigeria’s economic challenges have impacted Rotary’s ability to carry out its mission of improving lives. “We decided to enlighten members on how they can unite and collaborate to address community needs. For example, if we plan to donate hospital equipment, we can make the project larger and more beneficial to the health facilities.”
He underscored the importance of sustained investment in humanity to create a healthier, more peaceful world. “Our dedication spans from combating diseases to improving education and fostering economic growth,” he added.
Past District Governor, Kola Sodipo, stated that Rotary’s projects aim to touch lives. “We want to reinforce this message and introduce new strategies for attracting global grants,” he explained. “Rotary provides tools and funding to meet community needs, as demonstrated by our success in eradicating polio.”
Another Past District Governor, Remi Bello, stressed that Rotary’s vision extends beyond polio. “Polio primarily affected children, but thanks to Rotary and our foundation’s efforts, we have eradicated it by 99 per cent. That remaining one per cent is what we are still working to eliminate. Rotary’s work is guided by seven areas of focus: Peace and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Education, Economic Development, and Environmental Protection, which align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
Beyond polio, Rotary’s initiatives have strengthened health systems to combat other deadly diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and bird flu.
An orthopaedic surgeon and Past District Governor, Dehinde Shoga, urged members to contribute charitable donations to the Rotary Foundation, which enables the organization to implement numerous projects worldwide. “Pooling our resources creates a synergy that is much more impactful than individual efforts. Despite funding challenges, our resolve remains firm, supporting the Rotary Foundation allows us to reach more communities,” he explained.
Expressing gratitude, Zone 3 coordinator, Kefe Adedibu commended the members for their collaboration with government agencies, stakeholders, and partners. “We continue to work toward our health goals and contribute projects that truly touch lives,” she said.
