Nigeria to Partake in $4bn Polio Fund Raised By Rotary International
……as Rotarian Mbanefo Becomes District Governor 9125
The Federal Government’s efforts to eradicate polio in the country has received a major boost as Rotary International plans to set aside part of the $4 billion raised by the global humanitarian organisation to finally eradicate polio in the country.
The development will coincide with the installation of Rotarian(Engineer) Mbanefo Nnoka as District Governor 9125 comprising Rotary Clubs in North East, North West, North central and major parts of Southwest geopolitical zones, billed to hold this weekend at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja.
Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Installation ceremony, Dr Goddy Nnadi, who also doubles as an Assistant Governor of the club, in a statement made available to Economic Confidential in Abuja said “the event will mark the formal installation of Engr. Mbanefo Nnoka as the nineteenth Governor of the District 9125 as Rotarians from 23 states meet in Abuja to mark the beginning of the new rotary year.
Dr. Nnadi further said that royal fathers like the Ooni of Ife and the Obi of Onitsha are expected to grace the occasion to be chaired by Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, Sardauna Ribadu, and former Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria(BON).
He said the event which will welcome over 1000 Rotarians, will feature the formal handing over of the mantle of leadership from the immediate past District Governor, Bisi Adegoke to Rotarian Mbanefo Nnoka and will have Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as special guests. He also noted that the first African to become the President of Rotary International, Jonathan Majiyagbe will grace the event alongside his wife.
The statement further said Prof Chidi Odinkalu, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony expected to work out a roadmap for the final eradication of polio in Nigeria, adding that prominent Nigerians are expected to present goodwill messages and make donations to help actualize the noble goal of ensuring that no future Nigerian suffers from the debilitating effects of polio which hinders personal growth and national development.
He said the new District Governor will also showcase his blueprint for leading the district sprawling from Sokoto, to Maiduguri, Jos, Oshogbo, Ilesha, Makurdi and Abuja.
According to him, the event will parade all past District Governors and their wives, serving Assistant Governors, which will also include the parade of the banners/Presidents of all clubs in the District.
He said the event is expected to be concluded in the evening with cultural performances and dance for all the visiting Rotarians
The Organizing Committee chairman is working with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of all attendees.
Rotary is a global humanitarian organization with approximately 1.2 million members in 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club members are business men and women, professional and community leaders with a shared commitment to make the world a better place through charitable services.
It raised more than 4 billion dollars towards the eradication of Polio worldwide at its last convention held in June in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
