Nigerian Hero Kunle Adeyanju, the man who embarked on a polio inspired charity ride from London to Lagos visit Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Presidential Villa, Aso-Rock Abuja on Thursday 7th July 2022.
Kunle was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by some group of bikers and members of the Rotary Club.
The Vice Pesident Osinbajo received Kunle on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, commended his bravery on embarking on a journey of twelve thousand (12,000) kilometres of uncertain terrain and twelve (12) countries.
He said:
“I am really also excited about the fact that not only you have done this for the adventure because I am told you are an adventurer; that you do sky diving, bungee jumping, cycling, all sorts of other adventures but more for a very worthy cause which is the Polio crusade”
“And I must say to you that the whole polio campaign is one that we have taken quite seriously; the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially in the past couple of years, has taken it very seriously indeed which explains why now we have an end”
“But I am sure the District Governor will let you know; polio is a very crafty disease and I think you have also pointed that out when you think you have conquered it, if you are not careful, if you are complacent, it will come back, very quickly; which is why we must keep a sustained attack against it.’’
Vice President Osinbajo also said the National Economic Council (NEC) had also made polio one of the central issue in public health.
He said NEC has a committee which deals with polio alone while the council also receives reports on polio from relevant agencies.
“The World Health Organisation and several other Organisations, including local organisations, comes to give us report of the status of the drive against polio in the country and so, it keeps us well-informed”
“So, I think that this is an area where there is a lot of work and I really want to commend again the Rotary International, Rotary Club for all the work that they are doing”
“I think that this is something that we must continue to support as well as other very significant public health issues,’’
The vice president said that Adeyanju’s voyage resonated the African/Nigerian story of resilience, hard work and intelligence.
Kunle Adeyanju said that the essence hisadventure was to communicate the polio message to the world and though Africa had been certified polio free, the disease is rising again and it continued to pose a threat.
He said:
“Yes, Africa, we know that we are certified polio free because we have not recorded in Nigeria; Nigeria being the last country, just as the DG said earlier.
“But because we have been certified polio free, we have become complacent.
“ And when people become complacent, we lose focus, quality drops and when quality drops, a surprise is just around the corner”
“That is why we are beginning to see incidences of polio in Malawi and Cote d’Ivoire on June 16 and June 19, declared two-day national immunisation days because they discovered polio.’’
“But the danger is still there; it is still a clear and present danger; we need to do something; so, using this medium, Sir, as the number two Nigerian, a lover of humanity, someone we love so much, we respect so much, to continue to support polio funding”
“Rotary needs it; the Ministry of Health needs it; we need to end the disease; we need to continue the immunisation so that we can actually put an end to polio”
“If we continue to do nothing, the virus will come back and if it comes back, all the good work we have done in the last 30 years will go down the drain”
“So, Sir, on behalf of the Rotary Foundation, Rotary needs your support towards ending polio in Africa,’’
Kunle while recounting his experience amidst his journey said the trip helped him discover the true African story of warmth and hospitality.
Kunle presented an “End Polio Now“ flag to the vice president Osinbajo.
Also in attendance were Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Executive Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, alongside government officials and members of the Rotary Club.