By Seyi Odewale
As Nigeria continues its crucial journey toward maintaining polio-free status, the Rotary Foundation Chairman and Past Rotary International President, Holger Knaack, will visit the country from November 1–7, 2025, to reinforce Rotary’s global health initiatives and assess ongoing community interventions.
Knaack, accompanied by his spouse, Susanne, is expected to engage with key government officials, Rotary leaders, and health partners, including the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), as part of efforts to sustain Nigeria’s polio eradication gains and strengthen healthcare delivery systems.
A statement signed by the Rotary Public Image Coordinator for Zone 22, Region 27, Ibim Semenitari, noted that Knaack’s visit comes at a critical time, as Nigeria faces growing public health challenges, including vaccine hesitancy, weakened healthcare infrastructure, and emerging disease threats.
During his stay, Knaack will participate in a polio immunisation field exercise and inspect Rotary’s flagship Programme of Scale—Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria, which focuses on maternal and child health interventions.
He will also visit FCT and Akwa Ibom State communities implementing the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, a programme designed to improve access to primary healthcare and community resilience.
Rotary International President-Elect Yinka Babalola emphasised that the visit symbolises Rotary’s determination not only to end polio but to build durable public health systems capable of preventing disease outbreaks.
“Rotary’s work in Nigeria continues to inspire the world. Our shared goal is not only to end polio but to build lasting systems that keep families healthy and strong,” Babalola said.
Rotary Foundation Trustee Ijeoma Pearl Okoro added that the organisation’s impact in Nigeria demonstrates how global philanthropy can translate into measurable community transformation.
“The Rotary Foundation transforms generosity into impact. From vaccines that save children to programmes that empower mothers, our work in Nigeria shows what service and compassion can achieve,” she stated.
The visit will also feature donor recognition ceremonies and strategic meetings with Rotary districts nationwide, highlighting the crucial role of partnerships and sustained local ownership in advancing public health.
Analysts say Knaack’s visit underlines the delicate balance between Nigeria’s polio-free status and the risk of complacency that could reverse years of progress.
Health experts continue to warn that lapses in surveillance and immunisation coverage could expose the country to potential outbreaks, particularly in underserved communities.
As Knaack’s delegation prepares to assess on-the-ground realities, the message from Rotary remains clear — ending polio is only the beginning; building resilient health systems is the enduring goal.
