By PERPETUA ONUEGBU

Rotary International District 9127 has pledged to eradicate polio and promote maternal and child health across Nigeria.

Dame Joy Okoro made the pledge at her installation as the new District Governor of District 9127 on Saturday in Abuja.

She succeeds Mr Mike Nwagoshiri and will serve from July 1 to June 30, 2026.

She said Rotary had led the global fight against polio and was close to completing the mission, with only two countries left.

“As a District Governor, I am particularly passionate about some critical areas which are close to my heart and will form the cornerstone of my tenure, in alignment with Rotary priorities.

“These are maternal and child health, empowerment of women, especially resilient widows, and of course, polio eradication. Every mother and child deserves to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

“We will strive to implement projects that provide access to essential health care, promote education and safe practices, and create healthier environments for our most vulnerable.

“Furthermore, empowering women, particularly widows, is not just about charity, it is about justice, dignity, and unlocking the full potential of our communities,” she said.

Okoro said the strategy for polio eradication would include advocacy, partnerships, and training of health workers, while Rotarians would take the message to communities where the disease persists.

She recalled distributing delivery kits to over 100 pregnant women in Masaka, Nasarawa, and arranging support for expectant mothers in need of caesarean operations.

Gov. Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, who attended the event, commended Rotary’s service to humanity.

“One of the most important stories in the Bible is the story of the Good Samaritan, where the Bible defined the concept of who is your neighbour.

“In Nigeria today, we are still faced with issues of infant and maternal mortality, which is one of the worst in Africa.

“Your investments in health care and water are not misplaced in changing the narrative and improving lives.

“We rely on organisations like yours to fill the gap, the government alone cannot do it. Those that God has given resources should reach out to those in need,” he said.

Mrs Ijeoma Okoro, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rotary Foundation, urged the new District Governor to intensify efforts to eradicate polio in District 9127.

“We still have pockets of vaccine-derived cases in this district. We have them in Maiduguri, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina. So, the whole point is to ensure that we don’t have those cases,” she said.

NAN reports that District 9127 covers 16 states and the FCT. (NAN)