Atiku urges Muslims to embrace polio vaccinations

Posted by admin General Politics, Headlines Sunday, February 24th, 2013

Former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku has called on northern Muslims to embrace immunisation in order to eradicate polio.

Atiku, who was the guest speaker at Rotary International District 9110’s dinner and dance ball on Friday in Lagos, said the religious bias that had been associated with immunisation was unjustified.

“Even when I was the vice-president, I was fighting for the eradication of polio. I hope my brothers and sisters will receive vaccination for their children and understand that it has nothing to do with religion,” he said.

The former vice-president spoke against the backdrop of Rotary’s efforts in combating polio as part of the organisation’s humanitarian effort.

Atiku added that there was need for Nigerians to do more in terms of philanthropy, a principle that Rotary International holds dear.

He said, “Many lives have been touched as a result of Rotary’s efforts. This is an organisation that is dedicated to service to humanity. Philanthropy has a big role to play in the development of the society.

“Those who have benefitted immensely from the country need to do more for the less privilege. the society because there is a lot to do in education, infrastructure and maternal mortality, scholarship, schools and recreational facilities for young people.

“A capitalist society is characterised by high level of inequality. Without any effort by government to bridge that gap, philanthropy becomes very important. 70 per cent of our population lives in poverty as at 2010 while Nigeria ranks 16th worst country in maternal mortality all over the world. The figures of illiteracy and housing are equally depressing.”

However, he noted that philanthropy was not supposed to be the primary sustenance of the less- priviledged, adding that the responsibility belonged to the government.

“Philanthropy is supposed to be augmentative of the government efforts. That is why the government should make massive investment in infrastructure and eradicate unemployment,” Atiku stated.

District Governor of Rotary District 9110, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, called on donors to help the organisation to help reach out to those in need, adding that the club relied on donations from members and non-members to achieve its aims.

Via Punchwp_posts