By Victor Okoye
The Rotary Clubs of Apo and Aso Golf have teamed up to intensify efforts to keep polio at zero level in Nigeria.
This year’s World Polio Day theme is “Finishing the Job: Our Legacy for a Polio-Free World.”
As part of the campaign, the Rotary Clubs of Apo and Aso Golf hosted a Tennis Development Clinic titled “Serve for Cause, Smash out Polio” on Wednesday in Abuja.
The clinic included free coaching to teach Rotarians tennis skills while promoting polio awareness.
The event took place at Rockview Hotel, Wuse 2, with participants encouraged to wear red polio shirts, caps, and white bottoms.
Rtn. Chijioke Ekechukwu served as the guest of honour.
Uplifting messages and fun activities underscored the campaign’s goal: to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free legacy
Rtn. Chijioke Ekechukwu, District Governor Nominee of Rotary International, highlighted Rotary’s decades-long commitment to eradicating polio worldwide.
“As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has raised 2.6 billion dollars. It has deployed volunteers and driven awareness campaigns globally since its inception.
“Rotary’s 1.4 million members have volunteered countless hours delivering life-saving vaccines to children.
“Polio cases have dropped 99.9 per cent since 1988. Wild poliovirus remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“In Nigeria, wild poliovirus has been eliminated—a milestone achieved through coordinated national and international efforts,” he noted.
Ekechukwu said this progress demonstrates what unity among governments, organisations, and communities can achieve.
He thanked Rtn. Liz Ulumaranma, President of Rotary Club of Abuja-Aso Golf, and Rtn. Nanneh Kemte-Giadom, President of Rotary Club of Apo, for their relentless efforts in ensuring the event’s success.
Rtn. (Engr.) Embee Nnoka, Past District Governor of Rotary International, called the event a worthy cause.
He urged media outlets to amplify polio awareness and highlight the need for sustained funding.
Rtn. Nanneh Kemti-Giadom stressed that in spite of Nigeria’s polio-free status, vaccine-derived strains remain a threat in areas with low immunisation and weak healthcare.
She called on governments and partners to strengthen primary healthcare and prioritise routine immunisation for every child.
Nanneh also urged Nigerian families to vaccinate all children to protect communities and future generations.
Rtn. Liz Ulumaranma said the event followed a mini golf tournament held at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club in Abuja.
The tournament attracted prominent Nigerians and Rotarians committed to ending polio.
“We are collaborating to strike out polio,” Ulumaranma said. “We have also taken awareness campaigns to mosques, churches, and will visit Kwali and Abaji Area Councils tomorrow.”(NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
