World Polio Day: We will continue to rehabilitate polio survivors – Rotary Club PH City Valley
Written by Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie
As the World sets to observe the World Polio Day, the Rotary club of Port Harcourt City Valley has kicked off its celebration in earnest by calling for the recognition and empowerment of Polio Survivors during the polio day celebration.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt City Valley Rtn Captain Paul Ojinta made the call while donating two hundred thousand naira to four polio survivors at a dinner organized by the club to raise funds for the Rotary Polio Funds.
Rtn Captain Paul Ojinta said the donation is part of the club’s rehabilitation and empowerment plan for Polio Survivors which has been on for some Rotary years now.
“We also need to remember and recognize the fact that there are millions of Nigerians who are already victims of this wild polio virus and who suffered disability. It is time to focus on them now, to help rehabilitate them, to help empower and to bring them into this effort to ensure that poliovirus does not resurface here. That would be the best way to celebrate and continue to celebrate our milestone.” he said.
One of the Rotary Survivors on behalf of others, while commending the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt City Valley for the back-to-back support the club has been giving to polio survivors in Rivers State said “All over the world, the emphasis is on ability. Most of the time, we are treated like damaged goods. Even where we are qualified and able to contribute better than our able-bodied counterpart, in the past, the situation has been that we are discriminated against. Abilities are sacrificed on the altar of discrimination. So, it will begin to send out a message that Nigeria is really ready to move forward, thank you Rotary.”
Earlier, the Rotary District 9141 Governor Elect Rtn Chinedu Ikegwuani unveiled the club’s project on billboards of mental health, Mother and Child Health and Polio, creating awareness to the host Rukpokwu community on these Rotary areas of focus