Ogunkeye, Rotary DG, promises to tackle poverty, illiteracy
By Agency reporter
Monday, 5 Jul 2010
The District Governor 9125, Rotary Club of Nigeria, Chief Obafunsho Ogunkeye, has promised that his one year-tenure will be devoted to the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, abuses and pollution.

He said he would also devote attention to the establishment of blood bank (Safe Blood Africa project), water project and micro credit financing among others, which he noted, were part of the humanitarian services of the club.

Ogunkeye, who is a former chairman of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, stated these at a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Thursday ahead of his induction as the new district governor.

He said to secure funds for the projects, he would align with various clubs including local and international donors from whom grants could be accessed.

He said, “Some clubs in the United States of America have contributed to the production of wheel chairs being fabricated by a Nigerian from the Northern region of the country. He has been able to procure a power generator to boost his production.

“This has been facilitated through the Rotary Club. We hope to have grants running into millions of dollars in form of assistance to our community.”

Ogunkeye said polio pandemic had been totally eradicated in all the countries of the world except Nigeria and three other nations. The three remaining nations, according to him, are Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.

He said that with the commitment of the 1.2 million members worldwide, efforts are on to pull Nigeria out of the pandemic through selfless service of the non-governmental organisations.

He said the disease had since 1985 been paralysing more than 350, 000 children in 125 countries every year, but of late, the ratio has been slashed by 99 per cent worldwide with fewer than 1, 700 cases in 2009.

The former NBA boss hinted that the President Rotary International, Mr. Ray Klinginsmith, will be visiting Nigeria in September to participate in a Polio Summit as part of the final push to kick out polio in Nigeria and the world.