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The 8th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire, Rotarian Dr. Pat Ifeanyi Oramah, has called on stakeholders to intensify efforts in the global campaign to eradicate polio, declaring the fight against the disease as the club’s foremost priority for the 2025–2026 Rotary year.

His renewed appeal comes ahead of the Rotary District 9127, Zones 1 and 2 Polio Seminar scheduled to hold on Friday, August 15, 2025, in Abuja, which will convene Club Presidents, Club Polio Chairs, District Officers, Rotarians, and invited guests to strategize on achieving a polio-free Africa.

Dr. Oramah, who has placed polio eradication at the top of his Four-Point Agenda, said the seminar would serve as a crucial platform for evaluating progress and strengthening partnerships in the fight against the disease. He warned that while Africa has recorded remarkable achievements, the danger of a resurgence remains real if stakeholders lose focus.

“Our mission is urgent and uncompromising,” he said. “Every child must have access to safe and effective vaccines regardless of where they live. We must not allow the final stretch in this battle to become our weakest link. This is the moment to push harder, not to relax.”

He underscored the importance of ensuring that all children complete their vaccination schedules, supported by mass immunization drives and targeted outreach in underserved areas. Surveillance systems, he noted, must remain strong, with close monitoring of suspected paralysis cases and environmental testing to detect any silent presence of the virus.

Dr. Oramah emphasized the power of community engagement in countering vaccine hesitancy, highlighting the role of religious leaders, educators, media platforms, and grassroots influencers in building trust.

He said special attention must be paid to reaching remote and conflict-affected regions through mobile teams, humanitarian partnerships, and negotiated access to insecure areas.

According to him, the campaign’s success also depends on maintaining the cold chain for vaccines, training health workers to handle both technical and community relations aspects of their duties, and integrating polio immunization with other health services to maximize impact.

Dr. Oramah further noted that improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities is essential to prevent the spread of the virus, while urging governments to commit sustainable funding, enact supportive legislation, and collaborate across borders to eliminate reinfection risks.

While polio eradication leads his agenda, Dr. Oramah affirmed that the Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire will also focus on hepatitis awareness and prevention, combating diabetes through early detection and awareness campaigns, and empowering persons living with disabilities.

“With unity, determination, and consistent action, we can end polio for good,” he said. “This will be our lasting gift to future generations.”

The August seminar in Abuja is expected to renew momentum, mobilize resources, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, reinforcing Rotary’s decades-long pledge to rid the world of polio.