By Isaac Olamikan
The Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ), Sir Roland Osakue, has promised members of Rotary International Club District 9141, Benin, that the media will partner with the organisation in its war to bring polio to zero level.
He made the promise last weekend when the organisation took an advocacy cum sensitisation campaign to the secretariat of the Edo NUJ in Benin City in commemoration of the World Polio Day.
Sir Osakue while commending the Rotary International Club described it as one of the most responsible, recognised and articulated clubs all over the world.
Going further, he stated: “District 9141 Rotary International Club you have been very great. You have not only fought polio but you have placed it at zero level.
“The calibre of people in this club are responsible personalities with a knack for humanitarian activities. You are not fighting for yourself alone but the entire nation and generation yet unborn.”
He charged them to work harder so as to recruit more members to participate in the fight against polio.
“We will partner with you. We assure you that we are part and parcel of your fight against polio.”
Earlier, the Past Assistant Governor of the club, Iyose Evowie, who led the team, said that “the fight against polio is not finished until every country of the world is polio free.
“We are saying that we should not rest on our oars. We should continue to make sure that polio is at zero level in Nigeria and that we cooperate with the rest of the world to ensure that the world is polio free.”
In her contribution, Chief Winnie Aigboje, a representative of the World Health Organisation(WHO), said that polio vaccination exercise is coming up starting from 30th October and ending on 2nd November.
“Mothers should ensure that all children between the age of 0 – 5 years are immunised of polio. It is the normal polio vaccine we give to children. That’s what we are still giving. They should ensure that they bring their children forward to take it.
“School teachers should endeavour to allow our team to vaccinate children in school and also pastors and reverend fathers in churches. That’s what we have been doing before it has not changed. We want to keep polio at zero level.”