EVANSTON, Ill., (November 4, 2013) –Rotary honored seven of its members from Nigeria for donating more than US$250,000 each to Rotary’s humanitarian initiatives, including the service organization’s top goal of eradicating polio worldwide on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, USA.
The donors were inducted into the Arch C. Klumph Society, an honor reserved for high-level donors who contribute gifts that equal or exceed $250,000 to The Rotary Foundation, the charity arm that supports the organization’s humanitarian initiatives. The Rotary Foundation Vice Chair Michael K. McGovern conducted the induction, Rotary Foundation Trustee Samuel F. Owori and Rotary International President Ron D. Burton delivered remarks to recognize the following donors and their spouses:
• Mr. Bisi Adegoke, Rotary Club Osogbo
• Mr. Kenneth Gbagi, Rotary Club Osubi
• Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Obumneme Mark, Rotary Club Port Harcourt Central
• PDG Michael O. Olawale-Cole, Rotary Club Isolo
• Mr. and Mrs. Michael Olufemi Omotosho, Rotary Club Abuja Metro
• Sir Emeka Offor, Rotary Club of Awka G.R.A. Represented by U.S. Ambassador Howard Jeter (Ret.)
Some of the donors have contributed significantly to the success of the organization’s top goal of eradicating polio worldwide as well as to programs that support a healthier and more peaceful world. Rotary began the journey towards a polio-free world in 1985 and co-launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) three years later.
The donations will support critically-needed immunization activities in polio-affected countries. The eradication initiative’s recently unveiled endgame plan is expected to cost $5.5 billion to implement. In April 2013, world governments, NGOs and individual philanthropists pledged $4 billion to fund the effort. Securing the remaining funds will ensure that no polio immunization campaigns will be cut or scaled back, and puts the world on track for global eradication of the disease by 2018.
Nigeria is one of only three remaining endemic countries worldwide along with Pakistan and Afghanistan. This year, tremendous progress has been achieved, as a result of renewed and strengthened engagement by political, civil, religious and community leaders everywhere. More children are being vaccinated for the first time. As a result, cases are down about 50 percent compared to the previous year in Nigeria.
About Rotary
To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours toward ending polio worldwide, of which US$163.5 million has gone toward fighting the disease in Nigeria.
Rotary is a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary’s 1.2 million members hail from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
The members of the Arch C. Klumph Society are among the Rotary Foundation’s top leaders and innovators. Donors whose cumulative gifts total US$250,000 qualify for the Arch C. Klumph Society.
Source: APO
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