Posted on Oct 22, 2017
Rotarian Gbenga Olayiwole, the Field Co-ordinator, Polio South West, has charged Rotarians to build result oriented relationships in the course of their participation in polio immunization exercises as “relationship is key to effective social mobilization”.
 
Rotarian Olayiwole stated this while addressing Rotarians at the Polioplus Training Seminar for Rotary International, District 9110, held at Abeokuta in Ogun state on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.
 
The seminar which was organized by the district polio plus committee had in attendance Rotarian Dr. Jide Akeredolu, the District Governor Nominee, who represented Rotarian Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo, the District Governor; Rotarian Segun Adewakun, the District Secretary, and several other district leaders and Rotarians.
 
Rotarian Olayiwole explained that relationship helps to break down the barrier of inaccessibility, therefore, in social mobilization, it is important for participants to relate and communicate with key players and stake holders at all level.
 
He further explained that communication and mobilization help to maintain strong support from key players and stake holders such as government (political players), religious authorities, traditional leaders, civil societies, global community leaders and donors, as well as all members of the local community.
 
“They also help to correct misconceptions and wrong believes around vaccination and vaccines; create demand and ownership of the programme for sustenance; build trust in the communities (it helps them to trust the services provided, trust the service provider, trust the service promoter, and also trust the outcome of service provided)”, he added.
 
According to Rotarian Olayiwole, “To achieve polio eradication, the last child should be reached with the OPV vaccine. To reach the last child, everyone has to sustain strong contribution and participation. To sustain the gain, Rotary International services should be strengthened”.
 
 
 
Noting the current situation in some parts of southern Nigeria where vaccines are being rejected, Rotarian Olayiwole explained that the Nigeria military does not carry out polio vaccination in southern Nigeria so any news linking the situation with Rotary polio vaccination exercise is misinformation.
 
“Vaccination there is carried out by the local government team. Nigeria military does not even have access to vaccines. For them to have access to vaccines, they have to go to the local government. If they are carrying out any vaccination at all, then it is not polio”, he said.
 
According to Rotarian Olayiwole, “To achieve polio eradication, the last child should be reached with the OPV vaccine. To reach the last child, everyone has to sustain strong contribution and participation. To sustain the gain, Rotary International services should be strengthened”.
 
He however charged the Rotarians present that as they leave the seminar, going back to their various clubs, to try as much as possible, to connect with their local governments, raise funds for polio eradication, as well as volunteer and recruit volunteers for polio eradication.