Rotary International has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating polio globally and preventing its resurgence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the world marks the 2025 World Polio Day.
District Governor of Rotary International, District 9112, Lanre Adedoyin, gave the assurance during a nationwide immunisation exercise hosted by District 9127 on Thursday in Abuja.
The 2025 World Polio Day is themed “Finishing the Job: Our Legacy for a Polio-Free World.”
Speaking at the Primary Health Care Centre, Lugbe, Adedoyin said the exercise formed part of Rotary’s “End Polio Now” campaign and reflected the organisation’s renewed commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status.
He noted that although Nigeria was certified polio-free in 2020, Rotary has continued to intensify its community engagement to prevent a recurrence.
“We are people of action, and our determination is to ensure polio is stamped out not just in Nigeria, but from the surface of the earth,” Adedoyin said.
He described polio as a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, recalling Rotary’s over three-decade-long effort to eradicate it globally.
“We have been at the forefront of this campaign for more than 30 years because we know how deadly the virus is. Though Nigeria has maintained zero polio cases, the disease remains a threat as long as it exists anywhere in the world,” he added.
Adedoyin commended the National PolioPlus Committee, led by past District Governors Joshua Hassan, Toji Funsho, and Grace Okaru, for their sustained advocacy and leadership.
He emphasised that Rotary’s greatest strength lies in collaboration and consistent action, pledging that the organisation would not relent until the world achieves total eradication of polio.
Also speaking, the Polio Celebration Chair, Tunde Odunlami, said the commemoration underscored Rotary’s long-standing commitment to protecting children from preventable diseases.
He noted that the immunisation drive was held simultaneously across several locations in the FCT, where hundreds of children were vaccinated and mothers sensitised on routine immunisation.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Grace Anyanwu, expressed appreciation to Rotary International for the outreach.
“I’m very happy that Rotary came to Lugbe to educate us and vaccinate our children. Every child deserves to live free from this disease,” she said.
