By Tunde Johnson, Abuja

As the world marks the world polio day on Tuesday, the Rotary Club International District 9125 has urged parents to immunize their children to eradicate polio in Nigeria before 2019 deadline issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Speaking to during a rally to celebrate the day, Nnoka Mbanefo, Governor District 9125  said that the roadshow advocacy was to enlighten parents irrespective of their tribe or religious affiliation on the need to immunize their children against polio.

Mbanefo said that the only way to eradicate polio in Nigeria is to immunize every child between the ages of ‘’zero to five’’.

He noted that Rotarians are putting in more efforts to reach those hitherto hard to reach areas in the country to kick polio out for
good.
He said that the club aims to rebuild confidence in the heart of parents and guardians so that polio can be wiped out of the country.

Furere Zakari, WHO coordinator for the Federal Capital Territory,  added that the partners in the fight against polio in Nigeria
are on ground and committed to ending polio now before the deadline.

She added that the body has engaged community leaders and other opinion moulders to ensure that people know why they should accept polio vaccine for their children.

A victim of polio virus Mohammed Aliyu who shared his view with our Correspondent called on parents to allow their children to receive polio vaccine to rid the country of polio crippled persons.

Aliyu added that being a victim of polio, he will not want to see another generation of disabled children due to polio virus as there
are efforts put in place by the government to protect future generations by preventing the disease.

He therefore, called on parents to take advantage of the opportunity by promptly availing their children for immunisation to prevent their children from experiencing the horrors that come with disability.