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Drive to End Polio: Rotary Chief Pushes for 97% Child Immunisation Worldwide
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…call for renewed political will, sustained funding, community engagement
By Gloria Ikibah
The President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, has urged governments and health partners to ensure at least 97 per cent of children under five are immunised against polio, describing it as the decisive step needed to wipe out the disease for good.
Speaking in Abuja after a high-level briefing, Arezzo emphasised that maintaining consistently high vaccination coverage remains the backbone of eradication efforts. He indicated that achieving between 90 and 97 per cent coverage among young children is not merely a target but a necessity if the world is to consign polio to history.
The briefing was delivered by the Chairman of the Nigerian National PolioPlus Committee, Rotarian Joshua Hassan, who outlined Nigeria’s ongoing strategies to prevent any resurgence of the virus and sustain surveillance systems nationwide.
Arezzo praised Africa’s certification as a polio-free continent as one of global public health’s landmark achievements. However, he warned that the job is not yet complete, calling for renewed political will, sustained funding and community-level engagement to eliminate the remaining pockets of infection worldwide.
With cases now confined to a handful of regions, Rotary leaders believe the end of polio is within reach — provided immunisation rates do not slip and international momentum is maintained.
“At the time, Africa was considered one of the most difficult regions to eliminate polio, while India was widely regarded as ‘impossible’.
“However, through sustained collaboration and commitment, both regions overcame the odds. In 2020, Africa was officially declared polio-free,” he said.
President Arezzo acknowledged that, despite remarkable headway, polio has yet to be stamped out completely. The disease remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, though outbreaks are now largely restricted to limited areas.
Recent health data also indicate that Nigeria and several other nations have reported instances of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Even so, infection rates are trending downwards, offering cautious optimism to health authorities and global partners.
The Rotary International leader linked the downturn in cases to the rollout of a more genetically stable oral vaccine introduced in recent years. The updated formula has helped curb the risk of mutations, a problem that can arise in communities where immunisation coverage falls short.
Yet the gains have not come without sacrifice. Between 2012 and 2025, 76 individuals engaged in vaccination drives across Nigeria lost their lives, underlining the dangers faced by frontline health workers in the push to eradicate the virus once and for all.
“In Pakistan, 382 vaccination workers have been killed. These are tragic sacrifices that must not be in vain. We have to honour their memories by finishing this campaign,” he said.
Arezzo has pointed to lingering community resistance and the spread of false information as stubborn obstacles in the final stretch towards ending polio.
He believes the answer lies in deeper engagement at grassroots level — working closely with religious figures, traditional rulers and trusted voices online to steady public confidence. With many families now turning to their mobile phones for news and advice, he stressed the need to confront misleading claims swiftly and promote accurate health information where it matters most.
With the arrival of a more robust vaccine and immunisation rates climbing in many high-risk areas, he maintains that the tools to eliminate the virus are firmly in place. What is required now is sustained commitment and public trust to finish the job.
“So my only call to action is to work together and maintain a rate of immunisation of over 90 per cent of the children in all countries of the world until we finish the campaign,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigerian National PolioPlus Committee, Rotarian Joshua Hassan, said the committee has stepped up advocacy across all tiers of government, while also engaging traditional rulers, faith leaders, influencers and other key stakeholders to amplify the message on the value of polio vaccination.
According to him, that broad-based backing has played a decisive role in pushing the disease to the brink of elimination in Nigeria. He noted, however, that hurdles remain in certain states where insecurity, including banditry and kidnapping, continues to disrupt health campaigns. Reaching nomadic populations has also posed logistical difficulties, particularly in mapping and tracking migration routes.
As part of his visit, the President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, stopped at a primary health clinic in Area 2, Abuja. There, alongside former district governors and the District Governor of 9127, Joy Okoro, he took part in the symbolic administration of oral polio vaccines to infants.
The visit formed one of several engagements lined up during his tour of the country. After placing the familiar two drops into the mouths of babies at the clinic, Arezzo reflected on the significance of each vaccination, noting that every child reached brings the world a step closer to consigning polio to history.
“This is, for us, the great result that we are looking for. We don’t ask better than to immunise a child, because each of these vaccines is a step toward the eradication of polio”, he said.
On her part, Okoro expressed happiness that they were not left out.
“We are still fighting polio to make sure that the polio virus is totally eradicated in Nigeria.
“Of course, we’ve been certified polio free, but we are having children every now and then. So the fight is still on. We still have to be going to the field and show our presence at all times,” she said.
The Matron, Primary Health Clinic, Deborah Anyanwu, praised Rotary International for its efforts in eradicating polio in Nigeria.
“They have helped in making mothers to bring out their children every time to be immunised.
“As they came today, we can see mothers from all over the place. They are around to see that their children are immunised and I commend them for that.
“We’re continuing the advocacy; we’re continuing the sensitisation and giving health talk to let them know that actually, the polio vaccines are really working.
“So our own is just to continue to advise them, to continue to make sure that they bring their children for immunisation,” Anyanwu said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Accord Party.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately deregister the affected parties over alleged constitutional breaches in a ruling delivered on Monday, June 15.
Reacting to the judgment, Obi described the decision as another troubling development that could further erode public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the judiciary.
In a statement released on Monday, the former Anambra State governor argued that the court’s decision should be reversed, warning that weakening institutions for political purposes could have far-reaching consequences for the country.
According to Obi, the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, had earlier raised concerns about the independence and sanctity of Nigeria’s institutions.
He noted that while investors can manage security and policy risks, uncertainty in the rule of law and perceptions of judicial vulnerability to political influence remain major deterrents to investment.
Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure,” Obi stated.
The former presidential candidate lamented that many Nigerians have lost faith in institutions meant to protect them, adding that businesses increasingly prefer contracts governed by foreign jurisdictions due to greater confidence in their legal systems
Obi further argued that the judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties would further diminish public trust in the nation’s legal system.
“The Federal High Court judgment ordering the de-registration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems. It should be reversed,” he said.
He pledged to work towards restoring the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary, emphasizing the need for a justice system that is impartial, accessible, and respected by all.
“The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all,” Obi added.
He also called on judges, senior advocates, legal luminaries, and lawyers across the country to defend the rule of law and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country,” he urged.
Obi concluded his statement with his popular refrain: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
The ruling has continued to generate debate among legal and political stakeholders, with many awaiting further reactions from the affected parties and the electoral commission.
…as elite policy institute fends off night raid
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, came under heavy attack on Monday night, June 15, 2026, as suspected attackers tried to breach Nigeria’s foremost policy school near Jos.
Two soldiers and one police officer were reportedly killed before security forces repelled the assault.
The attack began around 11:00 p.m.
Armed men attempted to force their way into the institute and reach the residential quarters where course participants were lodged, according to initial report by NewsmakersNG.
Sources said the slain police officer was the orderly attached to a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police. The two soldiers died in the exchange of fire that followed.
But the attackers were stopped. Security operatives stationed at NIPSS mounted swift resistance and blocked access to the participants’ wing.
“No participant was abducted because the security forces successfully repelled the attackers before they could enter the residential area,” a source familiar with the incident was quoted to have said.
—NIPSS confirms incident, urges calm—
In a press release issued early Tuesday, June 16, the institute confirmed a “security incident occurred in the vicinity of the Institute in the early hours of today.”
Management said the situation was “promptly brought under control through the swift response of security personnel and relevant security agencies.”
“There is currently no threat to the safety of participants, staff, residents, or facilities of the Institute, and normal activities are continuing as scheduled,” said Dr. Osime Samuel, mni, Head of Public Affairs.
The institute stressed that investigations were ongoing and it would be “premature to speculate on the nature, scope, or outcome of the event.”
NIPSS said it could not confirm details circulating on social media.
“We urge members of the public and the media to rely on official communications from the Institute and relevant security agencies,” the statement added.
–Manhunt begins, motive unclear–
As of press time, authorities had not released an official statement on the motive behind the attack.
Security has reportedly been reinforced around the institute as investigations and manhunt operations commenced.
NIPSS Kuru trains Nigeria’s top bureaucrats, military officers, and policy strategists. An attack on the institute is an attack on the country’s policy brain trust. That it was targeted at night, with participants inside, has raised fresh fears about insecurity reaching Nigeria’s elite institutions.
For now, the guns are silent. The participants are safe. But three security men paid with their lives to keep it that way.
By Ojomah Austin.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, lowering its gantry price by ₦75 per litre amid signs of stability in the global energy market.
In a circular issued to fuel marketers on Monday, the refinery disclosed that the new price adjustment takes effect from midnight, June 16, 2026.
Under the revised pricing structure, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced from ₦1,250 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, providing some relief to marketers and consumers after months of rising fuel costs.
The refinery also announced a reduction in its coastal supply price, which dropped from ₦1,595,790 per metric tonne to ₦1,495,215 per metric tonne.
According to the company, the decision was influenced by the recent easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a development that has helped moderate global crude oil and energy prices.
“Following the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which has impacted energy prices, we wish to inform you that we have reviewed our Premium Motor Spirit gantry and coastal prices,” the refinery stated in the notice to marketers.
The company further clarified that all outstanding unloaded gantry volumes would be recalculated using the new rate from the effective date.
“Kindly note that all outstanding unloaded gantry volumes will be repriced at the new rate effective 12:00 a.m., June 16, 2026. We sincerely appreciate your continued patronage and assure you of our unwavering commitment to reliable product supply and excellent service delivery,” the statement added.
Marketers Yet to Reflect New Price
Despite the refinery’s reduction, retail pump prices across many parts of the country remained significantly higher as of Monday.
Industry data from Petroleumprice.ng indicated that several filling stations were still selling petrol at around ₦1,240 per litre, suggesting that consumers may not immediately benefit from the refinery’s latest adjustment until existing stock is exhausted and new supplies enter the market.
The development positions Dangote Refinery as one of the most competitively priced suppliers in the domestic petroleum market.
Global Oil Prices Begin to Retreat
The latest price cut comes as pressure in the international crude oil market begins to ease following reports of renewed diplomatic engagements between the United States and Iran over the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Global oil prices had experienced significant volatility over the past three months due to hostilities involving the two countries.
The development positions Dangote Refinery as one of the most competitively priced suppliers in the domestic petroleum market.
Global Oil Prices Begin to Retreat
The latest price cut comes as pressure in the international crude oil market begins to ease following reports of renewed diplomatic engagements between the United States and Iran over the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Global oil prices had experienced significant volatility over the past three months due to hostilities involving the two countries.
Obi Slams Court Ruling Deregistering ADC, Accord, Three Other Political Parties
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