Nigerian business leader and philanthropist Sir Emeka announced a $1 million gift to The Rotary Foundation for polio eradication efforts at the Rotary Convention in Sydney.

Sir Emeka, who is executive vice chair of the Chrome Group, has made contributions to Rotary's campaign to rid the world of this deadly disease totaling more than $3.1 million, including a $1 million gift he announced at the 2013 convention. He told the attendees at the third plenary session on Tuesday that his commitment to ending polio is a personal one.

"Scores of my friends and classmates fell victim to this dreaded disease," said Sir Emeka, a member of the Rotary Club of Awka GRA who serves as Rotary's PolioPlus ambassador in Nigeria. "As a young man I vowed that I would someday do something significant to end polio in Nigeria."

Sir Emeka told the crowd he recently opened a PolioPlus Ambassador's Office, at no cost to Rotary, in Abuja. The office serves as a hub for his ambassadorial activities and supports the work of the Nigeria PolioPlus Committee.

Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are the only countries where polio has never been stopped.

Despite tremendous progress — only two documented cases of polio reported in the last 12 months — Offor says the country still faces unprecedented insecurity and inaccessibility in a number of northern states.

"The Nigerian government, now supported by the international community, is doing all that it can to eliminate the widespread violence, abductions, and terrorism," he says. "Peace would facilitate polio eradication, but we cannot sit by and wait until that time comes. We must do what we can to find ways to end polio now."

SURPRISE OF A LIFETIME FOR POLIO SURVIVORS

On his way to Sydney, he stopped in London on Friday to attend an End Polio Now celebration held by District 1130. He was introduced to Gautam Lewis, Anne Wafula Strike, and Manoj Soma, all polio survivors, who told him their stories of overcoming their disabilities. Impressed and moved by what he heard, Sir Emeka abruptly asked them to join him in Sydney for the Rotary Convention.

Within 12 hours, all three were on a plane bound for the Harbour City. "It's very rare when doors like this open. And when they do you should just go right through it," said Lewis, a pilot, entertainment manager, and founder of Freedom in the Air, a nonprofit organization that makes flying more accessible for young people with disabilities. "For Sir Emeka, actions speak louder than words. He delivers on what he says. And his commitment to polio eradication is demonstrated by not only bringing us here, but his announcement of the gift to Rotary. Today he proved that he's committed for the long term."

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Polio took a hit at this year's Rotary convention in Sydney, Australia.

First there was the record-breaking climb across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that raised enough money to protect 240,000 kids from polio. On 30 May, two days before the official opening of the convention, 340 participants ascended the bridge, eclipsing the record previously held by Oprah Winfrey for most climbers on the bridge. Waving 278 flags, they also broke the Guinness World Record for most flags flown on a bridge.

Then it was announced that the World's Biggest Commercial, Rotary's public awareness campaign for polio eradication, set a Guinness World Record for largest photo awareness campaign. More than 100,000 people from 170 countries have uploaded their photos, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, Archie Panjabi, Jackie Chan, and many more.

But the biggest news was the $101 million pledged to polio eradication. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott opened the convention on 1 June with a commitment from his government of $100 million to the PolioPlus campaign. Two days later, Sir Emeka Offor, executive vice chair of Chrome Group, announced a $1 million gift to The Rotary Foundation to help end polio.

"Scores of my friends and classmates fell victim to this dreaded disease," said Sir Emeka, who serves as Rotary's PolioPlus ambassador in Nigeria. "As a young man I vowed that I would someday do something significant to end polio in Nigeria."

While Rotary's work to end polio took center stage at the convention, it wasn't the only Rotary initiative getting attention down under. Here are some highlights from the Sydney convention, which ran 1-4 June:

• Providing clean water. Collaboration and partnerships were emphasized at this year's World Water Summit, held 30 May. Global experts in clean water and sanitation urged attendees to join with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and governments to work more efficiently and effectively.
• Empowering youth. Australian cricket star Brett Lee, founder of Mewsic, and Maya Ajmera, founder of the Global Fund for Children and former Rotary Scholar, inspired attendees with their dedication to providing a better life for the world's poorest children.
• Promoting peace. Mwila Chigaga, former Rotary Peace Fellow and gender specialist for African Regions at the International Labour Organization, spoke to convention goers about ensuring decent work and equal opportunities for men and women.
• Fighting disease. Renee Saunders, senior public health adviser for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in helping to achieve an AIDS-free generation. Professor Martin Silink spoke of the challenges he overcame — with Rotary's help — to make diabetes a United Nations resolution.

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