Rotary recognizes Sir Emeka Offor's contributions to end polio in Nigeria

ROTARY has recognized philanthropist and business leader, Sir Emeka Offor and presented him with the International Service Award for his contributions to a polio-free Nigeria.  

Sir Emeka, who is Executive  Vice Chair of the Chrome Group and member of the Rotary Club of Abuja Ministers Hill, has contributed more than $3.1 million to Rotary, with over $2 million dedicated specifically to polio eradication. 

His support came at a historic time for Global Polio Eradication Initiative, GPEI. 

Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran noted during the award ceremony in Abuja that: ”Sir Emeka is an outstanding leader whose contributions have been instrumental to the successful eradication of polio in Nigeria. His commitment, generosity, and determination have advanced not only the fight against polio, but the health of all Nigerians.” says 

In 2014,  the World Health Organization (WHO) removed Nigeria – the last country in Africa to stop polio – from its list of polio endemic countries. 

Africa has not seen a new case of polio since the last case reported in Kano State, Nigeria in July 2014. 

In addition to donating funds, Sir Emeka and fellow Rotary members advocate for federal, state and local government support. They also work with religious and traditional leaders whose support is critical for successful polio immunization campaigns.

The International Service Award for a Polio-Free World was established by Rotary in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions to the effort by Rotary volunteers.

 Rotary launched its polio immunization program PolioPlus in 1985, and in 1988 became a spearheading partner in the GPEI with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the initiative launched, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to less than 75 confirmed in 2015. 

To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.5 billion to ending polio, including more than $225 million in grants to support polio eradication activities in Nigeria and countless volunteer hours by the over 7,400 members of Nigeria’s 311 Rotary clubs. To date, more than 2.5 billion children worldwide have been immunized against the paralyzing and potentially fatal disease.