The Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, will be on a three-day working visit to Nigeria starting Friday, March 15, 2024, with a fresh donation of $7 million for the eradication and prevention of diseases.
The latest grant is in addition to the $14 million given by Rotary about two months ago, through the World Health Organization, WHO, to Nigeria, for technical assistance on polio surveillance.
Nigeria is also an awardee of Rotary’s $2 million grant for the improvement of Maternal and Child Health.
During his visit, Mclnally is expected to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss other areas of assistance in disease control, child and maternal health.
According to a statement by the Prof Emmanuel Dolapo Lufadeju, the Coordinator of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and Dr Goddy Nnadi, the Co-Coordinator, the visit is set to strengthen the relationship between the federal government and Rotary International.
“This visit is to cement the already existing bond between the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and other stakeholders’’, the statement reads.
The organisation has been instrumental in the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
“It is important to note that Rotarians are actively involved in the implementation of all Rotary projects in Nigeria, working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the State Ministries of Health, and other national and international partners.”
The statement explains why Nigeria was a priority nation for Rotary International.
“The country has four districts, and because of the phenomenal growth of membership, the number of rotary districts in Nigeria will increase to six by July 1, 2024, making it the country with the highest number of districts in Africa as well as the highest contribution to humanitarian giving in the Africa Zone.”.
Rotary International is a non-governmental humanitarian organization with over 1.5 million members worldwide. It enjoys diplomatic status and has been an observer at the United Nations since 1948.
The country is duly recognised by being given the longest duration of the Rotary International President’s visit in his Africa Hope Tour. (vitalnewsngr.com)
