Rotary International has called for sustained efforts to preserve Nigeria's polio-free status, warning that the country remains vulnerable until global eradication is achieved.
Speaking during a Community Dialogue and Joint Partners Health Outreach in Gwarinpa Village, Abuja, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Board, Holger Knaack, stressed that continued vaccination is crucial despite Africa being certified polio-free five years ago.
"Rotary's goal is to eradicate polio, to kick it out of the world. As long as there are single cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, we must continue vaccinating children," he said, adding that every newborn in Nigeria must receive polio immunisation to guard against resurgence.
Knaack said Nigeria remains central to Rotary's global programmes because of its population and the scale of its health needs.
He highlighted three major interventions underway in the country: the polio eradication campaign, the Together for Healthy Families initiative to reduce maternal and child deaths, and the Rotary Healthy Community Challenge targeting malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia.
While acknowledging the contributions of Nigerian Rotarians and health workers, Knaack commended philanthropist Sir Emeka Offor for his $5m donation to Rotary's maternal and child health projects, describing it as "outstanding."
Also speaking, Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, Dr Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, said the group's maternal and child health initiative has reduced mortality by 28 per cent in three years across four pilot states -- Ekiti, Nasarawa, Gombe, and the FCT. The programme will expand to 10 states next year.
Okoro emphasised collaboration with local communities, traditional leaders and health workers as key to success, adding that public awareness campaigns must intensify to maintain immunity levels.
"Even though wild polio-virus has been eradicated from Nigeria, it still exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan... Polio anywhere is polio everywhere. We must not relax until it's wiped off the face of the earth," she said.
The Village Head of Gwarinpa, Alhaji Umar Bayaro, pledged continued support for immunisation drives, urging residents to take advantage of services at Oprima Health Care Centre.
Rotary International has led the global fight against polio for over 30 years in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.