A coalition of six Rotary Clubs under District 9125, has restated their commitment to sustaining the polio free status, achieved in Nigeria and in the African region.

The clubs include the Rotary Club of Abuja Federal, Rotary Club of Gwarinpa, Rotary Club of Kubwa, Rotary Club of Bwari, Rotary Club of Kubwa Gateway and Rotary Club of Gwarinpa New Age.

It should be recalled that on Aug. 25, 2020, Nigeria and the African region were declared polio free by the World Health Organisation.

Nigeria was the last polio-endemic country in Africa and was officially certified free from polio after marking three consecutive years since the last case of wild polio was identified.

The group made the commitment in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, during a sensitisation walk to mark its 2020 World Polio Day celebration.

Dr Patrick Ezie, President, Rotary Club of Abuja Federal and leader of the delegation said the walk was meant to sensitise the community on the need to continue to immunise their children.

“We are committed as an organisation to sustaining Nigeria’s status as a wild polio free nation.

“The eradication of polio in the world is our top priority and Rotary International has been committed to this fight for over 40 years.

“So even if we have been certified polio free, we must ensure that parents, wards, community members take responsibility of ensuring that all children take part in routine immunization.

“We do not have to leave it to the government alone, it is our responsibility as citizens of this country to avoid a resurgence of the polio virus ,” he said.

The walk which started at exactly 9 a.m and ended with a visit to the palaces of the Emir of Bwari and Esu of Bwari respectively.

Highlight of the event was the donation of 160 tricycles to post polio victims by the clubs.