Rotary Club of Gbagada supports polio eradication, donates bill board

ROTARY Club of Gbagada has demonstrated its support for total eradication of polio, not only in Nigeria but also in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio is still ravaging world through donation of a giant billboard, erected at the Rotary Centre, GRA, Ikeja. 

  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Polio Plus programme, one of Rotary International’s flagship projects.

  Since the fight against polio began in 1979 with a project to immunize six million children in the Philippines, over two billion children have been immunised and 10 million children have been saved from lifelong paralysis.

  Speaking during the presentation of the bill board at Rotary Centre, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, the President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, Olukayode Taiwo reiterated that in the Rotary world, eradication of Polio remains a major activity and to commemorate 110 years existence of Rotary International, the club has decided to donate the giant bill board, erected at the Rotary Centre.

“Rotary International has determined to end polio in the world and today, we have only three countries remaining.

“It is unfortunate that Nigeria happens to be one of the three countries, known as PAN countries where polio still exists but the good news is that polio is near extinction in Nigeria.

“Donation of this giant bill board is the contribution of the Rotary Club of Gbagada to the Rotary Day with the big message “End Polio”.

“Support for polio eradication is also done through donation to the Rotary Foundation by Rotary members and members of the public as it serves as the major source for Rotary International.

“When a member contributes into the foundation the sum of $1,000.00, he or she is made a Paul Harris Fellow.  He or she becomes a major donor, if he continues to donate into the Foundation up to $10,000.00.

“The proceed goes into activities such as polio eradication, disaster among others” he said.

Taiwo said kudos should be given to Rotary International that has contributed more than any organization towards elimination of polio in the world.