Anietie Udobit, Abuja
The chairman of the Rotary International Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mark Maloney, is scheduled to visit Nigeria on January 15 for a series of advocacy efforts and enlightenment activities regarding the foundation’s initiatives in the country, including a symbolic polio immunisation drive for children.
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Past governor of District 9127 and chair of the Trustee Chairman’s Visit to Nigeria Committee, Dr. Victor Onukwugha, in a press briefing in Abuja, announced that Maloney plans to meet with President Bola Tinubu during his visit to discuss the foundation’s programmes in Nigeria.
Onukwugha said that Maloney would be in Abuja from January 15 to January 18 before travelling to Lagos, where he will remain until January 20 before heading to Accra, Ghana.
He said that the visit is particularly significant for Rotarians and the Nigerian populace as it marks the first of its kind.
According to Onukwugha, the Rotary Foundation has been pivotal in sponsoring polio vaccine research and has contributed significantly to curbing polio in Nigeria, which was once the country with the highest number of cases globally.
“Following the foundation’s funding efforts aimed at eradicating polio, Nigeria was certified polio-free in 2020 after successfully eliminating the disease in 2016.
“The Rotary Foundation initiated the Programme of Scale and provided a substantial donation of two million dollars for maternal and child care in Nigeria. On January 15, there will be no scheduled activities as Mr Maloney arrives in Abuja.
“However, on January 16, we will commence symbolic polio immunizations at IDP camps in Abuja, complemented by a town hall meeting focused on advocacy and interaction,” Onukwugha stated.
He explained that on January 17, Maloney is set to brief President Tinubu on the foundation’s initiatives, including details surrounding the two million dollars allocated through the Programme of Scale.
While highlighting the foundation’s global influence in over 200 countries, Onukwugha expressed enthusiasm for Maloney’s unprecedented visit.
“Nigeria stands as the greatest beneficiary of Rotary International Foundation’s efforts.
“Notable philanthropists, including Sir Emeka Offor, Aliko Dangote, and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have supported the foundation, confident that their contributions will be utilized effectively. The Rotary International Foundation is recognized as one of the best NGOs globally,” he concluded.
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