By Adeko Ukpa

The District Governor, Rotary International District D127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko yesterday asked Rotarians not to be tired of donations to end Polio disease.
He said all the givings are making impact.
He said eradication of Polio is a must to save millions of children in the world.
He said sensitisation against Polio and Immunisation of children are priorities of Rotary International.
Owonikoko, who made the plea after a walk to mark World Polio Day 2026 in Abuja, said Polio eradication is non-negotiable.
He commended the Federal Government and Rotary International partners like WHO, UNICEF and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for effective grassroots collaboration.
He said: “This is not just the beginning and it will not be the end until every child of the world is saved.
“We have reasons to mark World Polio Day and that reasons we are not going to go out of it because Rotary International has spent so much money from the beginning in1985. We must make sure the children of the world are saved.
“I want to thank the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, for giving us all what it takes through the Primary Healthcare Centres to get to all communities across the country in getting all the children immunised. We want to say thank you. But our thanks goes to the Almighty, Rotarians, Rotaractors, BIll Gates Fonund, WHO, UNICEF, NPHCDA and other partners.
“To Rotarians, all your givings to The Rotary Foundation are making impact. Not only today, you have been giving since we signed agreement to ensure children are saved.
“I want to plead with you, we should not be tired, the donations should continue, the sensitisation must not stop, the eradication is a must for us and we have to keep polio at zero as we promised.”
The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian National PolioPlus Committee (NNPPC), Dr. Kazeem Mustapha, who is also a Past District Governor, said Rotary is sustaining the EndPolioNow campaign to protect children all over the world.
He said “immunisation is a key preventive precaution against Polio or any disease.”

L-R: Mrs. Aiodiah Stephen, Winner of the 2026 Pedals Against Polio 2.0, Stephen Christian Mamman, PGD Kazeem Mustapha, District Governor 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, Mr. Stephen Mamman Anumkwen, Assistant Governor, Rotary Club Wuse Central, Zainab Omowunmi Owonikoko, District Polio Plus Committee Chair, Mariam Ahmed, Deputy Incident Manager, National Polio Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Adeola Musa Oluwatoyin, during the 2026 Walk to End the Polio Now, held in Abuja, yesterday
‎
On her part, the District Polio Committee Chair, Mrs. Mariam Abdullahi said a polio-free world is achievable.

She said: “Today, on World Polio Day, we stand together to reaffirm one promise: we will not rest until every child is protected and our world is polio-free.
“To the clubs of District 9127, I charge you today to continue to participate actively. Organize immunization drives, raise awareness in your communities, and give your resources. Polio has no place in our future, and your action is what will push it into history.
“To our valued partners snd our volunteers — you are the heartbeat of this mission. You brave the sun, the rain, and difficult terrain, offering your best at all times so that no child is missed. We see you, and we salute you.”

By Adeko Ukpa

The District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko yesterday said the war against Polio disease is winnable.
He said the EndPolioNow campaign of the Rotary International in has saved over 20m children from being crippled.
He appealed to Nigerians to immunise their children against poliomelytis.
He asked Rotarians not to give up the campaign until Polio is completely eradicated.
He pleaded with members of the district to mark World Polio Day on October 24th with renewed vigour to put an end to the disease.

The District Governor, Rotary International District 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko (Third left) and other leaders with EndPolioNow campaign symbol on Wednesday in Abuja.

Owonikoko, who made the submissions at the unveiling of three sensitisation billboards in three strategic locations in Abuja by the District, the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and friends of the district, said Polio is still endemic in two countries.
He said: “With the commitment of Rotary International since 1985, we have shown that the war against Polio is winnable. It is a disease we have proved to the world can be eradicated.
” I appeal to Rotarians in this district not to give up until we ensure complete eradication of Polio in the world.
“We have saved more than 20m children from paralysis. As we mark this year’s World Polio Day, we should rededicate ourselves to immunisation of children. ”
On his part, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi said: “What we are doing here is raising awareness to the effects of Polio. And you know communication is 90% of the job.
“When people don’t know any epidemic is still around, they take it easy. When we take it easy, bad things happen.The awareness of fighting Polio is very critical.
“We want to present these billboards as reminders that our work is not yet done until we eradicate the disease completely such that in the next 100 or 200 years, humanity will talk about it as history not as something active. Then our job is sorted”.

…Says 2027 election offers opportunity to accelerate growth, create jobs, strengthen national stability

From Adeko Ukpa

Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying Nigeria must sustain ongoing economic reforms to achieve lasting prosperity.

Showunmi, a member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said the 2027 presidential election presented an opportunity to consolidate the administration’s reforms, accelerate infrastructure development and expand economic opportunities for Nigerians.

Reading the text of a press conference titled: “Nigeria Must Not Abandon Its Journey to Prosperity,” he argued that continuity in leadership would enable the country to build on ongoing initiatives and translate economic reforms into improved living standards.

“My position is clear: I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term because I believe Nigeria must keep moving forward,” he said.

Showunmi maintained that Nigeria needed sustained policy direction, productive investment and national commitment to overcome longstanding economic challenges and harness its human and natural resources.

He said: “Nigeria must not abandon its journey to prosperity. We must sustain the momentum, consolidate the gains and work together to ensure that the promise of a greater Nigeria reaches every household, every community and every corner of our federation.”

According to him, Tinubu’s reform agenda offers an opportunity to strengthen public finances, attract investment, expand infrastructure and create an economy capable of generating sustainable employment.

He argued that Nigeria must move beyond excessive dependence on crude oil by expanding manufacturing, agriculture, agro-processing, technology, solid minerals, gas, tourism and modern services.

“We must become a country that produces more, manufactures more, processes more, exports more and creates more value from our abundant resources,” he said.

Showunmi added that improvements in electricity supply, transportation networks and access to finance would help businesses expand, reduce production costs and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises.

He cited initiatives in education, electricity and infrastructure as areas with the potential to support the country’s economic transformation.

Among these, he referenced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Electricity Act 2023 and major highway projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway.

He, however, stressed that the success of the reform agenda should ultimately be measured by its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

“The ultimate purpose of this national transformation is to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

“The market woman must have a greater opportunity to grow her business. The farmer must have access to better inputs, equipment, financing and markets. The artisan must be able to expand a workshop into a thriving enterprise. The young graduate must have more opportunities to build a career.”

Showunmi said the administration should ensure that economic progress translates into better employment opportunities, higher productivity and improved access to essential services.

He also called for greater investment in young Nigerians through quality education, vocational training, digital skills and entrepreneurship support.

According to him, the country’s youthful population could become a major economic advantage if supported by policies that encourage innovation, business development and industrial growth.

On national security, Showunmi said stability remained essential to economic development, arguing that farmers, traders and businesses needed a secure environment to operate and invest.

He called for stronger security institutions and improved protection for communities, saying insecurity undermined agricultural production, commercial activities and investor confidence.

Turning to the 2027 election, Showunmi said he believed a second term for Tinubu would provide an opportunity to accelerate the administration’s development agenda.

“I believe continuity under President Tinubu offers an opportunity to consolidate this national project and move with greater speed towards the Nigeria we all desire,” he said.

He added that the next phase of governance should prioritise increased investment, industrial expansion, improved infrastructure, job creation and a wider distribution of economic opportunities.

Showunmi acknowledged the scale of the country’s development challenges but expressed confidence that sustained reforms, effective governance and national unity could deliver greater prosperity.

He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the country needed continuity of purpose to consolidate ongoing reforms and strengthen its economic foundations.

“My support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an expression of this conviction. I believe his administration’s reform programme offers Nigeria an important opportunity to consolidate its economic foundations and accelerate the pursuit of inclusive prosperity,” he said.

He added: “Prosperity is within reach. A greater Nigeria is possible. Our national journey must continue.”