By Ozioruva Aliu, BENIN CITY

THE Rotary International and Rotary Foundation said not less than three billion dollars have been expended since 1985 globally to eradicate polio and that 2029 is the date now targeted to eradicate the challenge.

The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the organization, John Hewko disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin City where he said Pakistan, Afghanistan and northern part of Nigeria remained the areas that polio was still prevalent.

He listed religious, cultural, misinformation and insecurity as major reasons why polio has not been eradicated globally.

“This issue of misinformation is a big problem. And not just in the north here, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan and some of the other places where you have some of these challenges.

“Our Rotarians continue to raise money. They continue to advocate. They continue to vaccinate children. We are in this until we finish the job. We will stay in the fight until we eradicate polio. We’re currently projecting that we hope to be able to eradicate polio in 2029. That’s the current plan.

“We are committed to be in the fight until we eradicate polio. There’s a whole series of techniques that we’ve used over the years in different countries to try to get to every child. But again, it’s all about getting to the children. And it’s about, very often, the security situation on the ground.

“The challenge with polio is, we’ve now eradicated polio in every place but two countries. But until we eradicate it everywhere, you need to vaccinate children all over the world. We need to vaccinate everybody around the world until there are no more cases.

Earlier, the Rotary Governor of District 9141, comprising of Edo, Delta Bayelsa and Rivers States, Rotarian Anthony Woghiren, announced the election of Rotarian Adeyinka Babalola the next Global President of Rotary International worldwide.

He added that the organisation has empowered the less privileged in skill acquisition in various ways.