Rotary Impacted Disease Prevention In 121 Years — DG

The District Governor, Rotary International District 9127, Dr. Joy Nky Okoro, said the organisation has helped the world to prevent and control the outbreak of diseases in the last 121 years.

She said Rotary has reduced polio globally by 99 per cent.

Okoro said these during the grand finale of the Rotary Day Celebration (RODAC) and lighting of the Torch of Unity to mark 121st anniversary of the organisation.

She said: “Rotary International has impacted the world in many areas, especially disease prevention and control. We have invested heavily in maternal and child health.
“Despite global challenges such as the Great Depression and World War II, Rotary continued to grow. The organisation played a role in the establishment of the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF in 1945.

“The organisation’s PolioPlus programme, launched in 1985, has helped to reduce polio cases worldwide by 99.9 per cent, with only a few countries still reporting infections.

“Rotary interventions on disease surveillance, prevention and control are expanding to malaria challenge and community health. We have had it good in 121 years.

“Rotary International now has more than 1.4 million members across over 200 countries, working on projects that include disease prevention, peacebuilding, education, healthcare and humanitarian relief.

“In Nigeria, Rotary operates six districts, with more than 500 clubs and over 9,000 Rotarians nationwide.”

The Chairperson of RODAC in the district, Barr. Mohammed Adama, said: “The event was a convergence of legacies. And it is not just a Joint Fellowship, it is a spiritual, symbolic, and strategic alignment of everything Rotary has been, everything Rotary is, and everything Rotary is becoming.

“We are not simply Unveiling a Torch, we are revealing our collective destiny.

“When Rotary began 121 years ago, it did not begin with wealth, power, or global influence. It began with four people, who believed that friendship could become service, and service could become transformation.

“Those four voices have multiplied into thousands across our Rotary International District 9127. What began as a circle has become a movement. What began as an idea has become a global force for good. And that is what we are celebrating.”