The Rotary International has urged members and global partners to redouble efforts to end polio in Nigeria by getting needed “International Polio-free Certification”, which hopefully will be due by August 21.

The Rotary International President, Dr Barry Rassin, made the appeal on Monday at a Rotary District 9142 ‘End Polio Now Variety Show’ held in Enugu.

It would recalled that the last case of Polio in Nigeria was recorded on Aug. 21, 2016; while the country would gain “International Polio-free Certification” on August 21 this year therefore maintained Polio-free status for three years.

Rassin, who was represented by the Chairman of Nigeria National Polio-Plus Committee, Dr Tunji Funsho, said that the variety show was aimed at creating more awareness about Polio Eradication and raising fund for the initiative.

He urged Rotarians and humanity in general to work hard towards making the world completely Polio-free.

“I must commend Rotarians for their efforts and financial contributions towards realization of a Polio-free world.

“I assure you that Rotary International is totally committed to that noble goal,’’ he said.

Rassin also commended Nigerian Rotarians for financially contributing about 17 million US-dollars to the global fight against polio.

The Governor of Rotary International District 9142, Dr Dan Ajawara, lauded Presidents of Rotary clubs in the district for their resilience and commitment to Polio eradication.

The District Polio-Plus Chairman, Dr Eddy Ndibuagu, during opening of the ‘Polio Drop to Zero Boxes’ which were distributed to the clubs earlier this Rotary year, announced that District 9142 had contributed over $80,000 US-Dollars to Rotary Foundation Polio Fund this Rotary year.

Ndibuagu said that he was optimistic that by June 30 when the Rotary year will end, the District would have significantly surpassed this impressive contribution to Polio fund.

He noted that Rotary Club of Eziukwu Aba raised $20,000 which was the highest amount of money raised by any club in the District.

It was gathered that one of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a 4-track music album made by the District Polio-Plus Chairman, Dr Eddy Ndibuagu, in support of Rotary International Polio Eradication Initiative.

The music Compact Disks (CDs) will be sold by the District and the proceeds paid into the Rotary Foundation Polio Fund.

The event also featured red carpet Guest Artists from Lagos (Guchi Egbunine and Genevieve Ogu), African Vocals International Choral group and drama.

The Rotary District 9142 is made up of seven states, which are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

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