Polio Protection Project: Rotary International Constructs Water Boreholes, Engages In Immunisation Sensitisation In Enugu Community
The Rotary Club of Trans Ekulu Enugu District 9142 Nigeria has flagged off construction of six mega water boreholes in Amurri community in Enugu State to solve the community’s age-long challenge of potable water.
Rotary International will also engage in sensitisation activities on immunisation; support to polio victims, collection of data on immunisation and polio cases; and collection of data on use of water boreholes and its contributions to hygiene/ sanitation in Amurri Community.
Speaking during an advocacy visits to Traditional Ruler of Amurri community, Igwe Charles Nwoye, on Saturday, Rotarian Chibuzo Asogwa, District Governor, Rotary International District 9142, said that the Polio Protection Project would be fully sponsored by Rotary International.
Asogwa, whose District covers seven states – five South-East states, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, said that Rotary International had taken up the mandate to eradicate polio worldwide.
He said that the members of the foremost humanitarian organisation had through donation of money, time and expertise contributed in carrying out or sponsored holistic immunisation, health education and other special polio protection projects worldwide.
He said, “Rotary is working hard to ensure that no child experiences the menace of polio and that all forms of polio are totally eradicated.
“We are also doing a lot on one of the seven pillars of Rotary, which is enhancing maternal and child health as well as ensuring that the world is a peaceful and better place for all.
“The polio protection project will ensure total eradication of the diseases and assist Amurri community and nearby residents of other communities within this Nkanu West Local Government Area to get potable water as well.”
Corroborating, Prof. Peter Neuner, Adviser to the King (traditional ruler) of Amurri on Health, said that he had done physical assessment on the water challenge and seen the difficulty in fetching water among the people.
Neuner, who is from Rotary Club of Freistadt, Austria, said that he would support the course of the polio protection project through donation from his packaged musical video “Water, Water, the Most Important Thing”.
“I have gone to Ishi Ngene and Owerre Ngene respectively (natural spring water) points, where the community members get their water and seen the challenges of fetching water which makes the borehole project under the Polio Protection Project imperative.
“I also commend King Nwoye for giving me the title of ‘Odoziobodo II’, which will encourage me to do more for humanity,” Neuner, who also shot a musical video with an international musical star, Belinda Rohringer, at Amurri community, said.
Speaking, Rotarian Edward Ezeh, President of Rotary Club of Trans-Ekulu, appreciated Amurri people and King Nwoye for the warm reception and accepting to host the Polio Protection Project in Enugu State.
Ezeh also thanked Prof. Neuner for age-long partnership between Rotary Club of Trans-Ekulu, Nigeria and Rotary Club of Freistadt, Austria, which had touched many indigent communities and uplifted humanity in Enugu State.
Responding, Igwe Nwoye, who observed a minute silence for late Prof. Robert Zinzer from Germany, who was a prominent International Rotarian and humanitarian, said that Amurri community was grateful to be associated with the Polio Protection Project.
Nwoye appreciated Neuner for visiting Amurri community once more and accepting a chieftaincy title from the kingdom, adding: “Prof. Neuner is already part and parcel of Amurri Community and a member of our cabinet.”
The royal father noted that the community would support and see to the success of the Polio Protection Project and assured its judicious use and protection when completed.
“As a Doctorate Degree holder in Community Service Study, I will act as a consultant to the project pro bono (free-of-charge) and ensure effective and judicious use of the Rotary International project.
“I thank Prof. Neuner for visiting again and taking exceptional interest in the newest Rotary International Polio Protection Project. For me, Prof. Neuner is now ‘talk-na-do’ (one that keeps to his words) in our local palace,” he said.
In a vote of thanks, the Project’s Primary Contact, Rotarian Eric Igweshi, thanked everyone especially the rotarians that were present at the flag-off.
Highpoints of the event were visit to the local spring waters called “Ngene”, dance performance by international musical star, Belinda Rohringer; performance by Amurri Women Dance Group and the observation of the full session of the kolanut prayer as requested by Neuner.
