Akin Shuga unveiled as Rotary polio ambassador

Rotary International District 9110 has unveiled the Managing Director of Shuga Entertainment and lead singer of the award-winning Shuga band, Akinloye Tofowomo, alias Akin Shuga as ambassador of the club’s polio eradication campaign.

Akin, who is an alumnus of the Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, with a strong penchant for ideal business structures in the entertainment sector, which he constantly advocates through his Melody Trade Series, will lead the polio campaign by increasing awareness, advocacy and fundraising to eradicate the disease in Nigeria.

The entertainment mogul, a polio survivor, despite being physically challenged, has provided empowerment to physically challenged persons through his Akin Shuga Foundation, to enable them function and live independently.

He was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contributions to the growth of the music industry.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the District Governor, Rotn. Adewale Ogunbadejo, said the club is making polio a top drawer discussion to ensure its full eradication in Nigeria, which is why the entertainment mogul has been appointed to raise awareness and advocacy in communities.

He added that though Nigeria has not recorded any incidence of polio since August 2016, there is need to ensure that all players participate to prevent the scourge of the disease.

Giving an update on polio, the chairman, Nigeria National Polio Purse Committee (NNPPC), Tunji Funsho, represented by the Past District Governor (PDG), Yomi Adewunmi, said polio mainly affects children under five years of age, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that one in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those paralysed, five to 10 per cent die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

Receiving the recognition, Akin said it is a personal honour to lead the campaign, having being a victim of the disease, which has left him paralyzed. He said to still be at the point of eradication is challenging for countries like Nigeria, India, and Pakistan.