By Evelyn Amuneke
The District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Mrs Joy Okoro, says the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has robbed Nigeria of a partner in the fight against polio.
Okoro, in a statement by Dr Max Amuchie, District Media Relations Chair, condoled with the Buhari family and the people of Katsina State for losing ‘a dear father and an illustrious son’.
She recalled that it was on Aug. 25, 2020 during Buhari’s tenure that Nigeria was officially declared free of wild polio virus, saying that this was a significant milestone in the global effort to eradicate polio.
“Declaring Nigeria free of wild polio virus in 2020 followed rigorous documentation and verification processes by the African Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication (ARCC).
This made Nigeria the last country in Africa to achieve this status,” she said.
Okoro also noted that on Sept. 7, 2021, Buhari played host to Mr Shekhar Mehta, then Rotary International President, during which he thanked Rotary for interventions in Nigeria’s health sector by committing $268 million to the fight against polio.
In addition, she said the late former president always sought Rotary’s partnership in his administration’s vaccination drive.
The district governor prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
