District 9112 Polio Plus Seminar Highlights

Rotarian Saudat Adenike Abdul-Azeez aka Iya-Iyawo, chair of the District Polio Plus Committee, expressed her appreciation to the attendees at the Polio Plus Seminar held on Wednesday, September 10 at the Rotary Center.

She shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming World Polio Day celebration on October 24, encouraging clubs to host unique programs and publicize them widely.

She stated “This year’s World Polio Day Celebration, scheduled for October 24, promises to be remarkable. Each club is encouraged to host programs in their own unique style. Special activities are also being planned, including a train journey from Ebute Metta to Abeokuta on Friday, October 10, where buses will be available to facilitate movement within the city. The aim is to promote continued immunization for children under the age of 5 years while paying advocacy visits to one or two Oba (traditional rulers) in the community, as we are guests in their territory. A picnic will take place at the base of Olumo Rock, while the strong hearted will climb the rock to host the *”END POLIO NOW”* flag the zenith. Olumo Rock is freshly remodeled and worth visiting and there is an elevator to assist the elderly and faint hearted. This event will be ticketed due to associated costs. We look forward to seeing Rotarians connect and network during this engaging experience.”

In addition to World Polio Day Celebration, Rtn. Abdul-Azeez has outlined the committee’s expectations for the upcoming year, which include: 

* A contribution of $10 from each Rotarian to the Polio Plus Fund

* An annual $1,500 from each club to the Polio Plus fund

* A 50,000 naira contribution from Institution based Rotaractors will earn a Polio Plus Society pin

* A 10,000 Naira contribution from interactors for which they will receive a special sticker.

* Provision of donation tickets to clubs to encourage contribution to Polio Funds and ensure that the District will have no “zero giving club” this Rotary Year.

This year’s Polio Plus seminar featured insightful presentations from reputable speakers such as Dr. Memuna Esan, the surveillance officer for WHO Lagos, who shared vital insights on “Polio Facts and Figures: The Nigerian Surveillance Reality”. Mrs. Shomope Opeyemi, Assistant State Immunization Officer of Lagos State, addressed the topic “Introduction To Polio Supervision.”

Mr. Seyi Nubi from UNICEF discussed “Expectations from Field Monitoring by Volunteers,” while Mr. Gbenga Olayiwole, National Field Supervisor of the NNPPC, trained participants on the “Installation and Use of ODK App in Reporting Field Activities.”

Furthermore, PDG Abayomi Adewunmi, Vice Chair of the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, Southwest, presented on “Polio Eradication: It’s Not Over Till It’s Over.”

Attendees left the seminar equipped with valuable insights on the current status, challenges, and strategies for eradicating polio globally and skills on reporting field supervision activities. They were encouraged to relay these information back to their respective clubs.

The District Governor, Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin, was accompanied by his core team, which included District Executive Secretary PP Omotunde Olaleye, District Treasurer Rotarian Doyin Odutola, Chief of Staff PAG Akeem Sunmonu, and Special Assistant PP Desmond Otakponmwen, at the event.

In his remarks, DG, Rotarian Lanre emphasized, “Polio remains endemic in two regions: Pakistan and Afghanistan. A threat to one is a threat to all, and we must work towards eradicating it from the face of the earth.”

Also present at the seminar was the District Rotaract Representative (DRR), Rotaractor Abiodun Atitebi, along with other Rotaractors and several club presidents. 

The two Polio State Representatives, PP Gbenga Olubowale ( RC Lagos Prime Ikeja) for Lagos State and PAG Abimbola Solu (RC Ijebu Igbo) for Ogun State, were in attendance as well.

The event included award presentations to the speakers in recognition of their contributions to the Polio Plus seminar.

Additionally, a book titled “Polio Perspective,” authored by Rotarian Dr. Tunji Funsho, a past chairman and member of the Rotary International Polio Plus Committee, was recommended to Rotarians. Many attendees purchased the book to support the Polio Plus fund.