Rotary raises N140m for humanitarian projects in Nigeria

Rotary District 9127 has raised over $101,000 in four months for humanitarian projects across Nigeria, the district Rotary foundation chair, Elvis Chukwu, said at the weekend. Speaking at the district foundation dinner in Abuja, Chukwu said the funds, equivalent to more than N140million, are being deployed in health, education, and community development. “The Rotary Foundation […]

Rotary District 9127 has raised over $101,000 in four months for humanitarian projects across Nigeria, the district Rotary foundation chair, Elvis Chukwu, said at the weekend.

Speaking at the district foundation dinner in Abuja, Chukwu said the funds, equivalent to more than N140million, are being deployed in health, education, and community development.

“The Rotary Foundation is the heartbeat of Rotary International. Whatever funds we raise are used for humanitarian services across the world, cascading down to our country,” he said.

He listed ongoing interventions including maternal and child health projects worth more than $2 million, malaria programmes in Kebbi and Akwa Ibom States valued at $8 million, and grants in education, environment, and disease prevention.

On Rotary’s signature project, Chukwu added that, “As of today, Nigeria is polio‑free, and polio is only left in two countries in the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan. We are sustaining the momentum so that polio doesn’t come back to Nigeria again.”

He added that vaccination campaigns continue to ensure Nigeria remains at zero level for polio, despite migration and cross‑border movement.

He also projected that the district could raise up to $300,000 before the end of the Rotary year in June 2026.

He credited partners such as the Bill Gates Foundation, which matches every dollar contributed with three dollars, as well as the Dangote Foundation and Syamaka Foundation.

The Abuja dinner was part of Rotary’s Global Foundation Month, marked every November to celebrate contributions from members and partners.

He also said the district conference scheduled for May 2026 would serve as an annual general meeting to review stewardship, recognise achievements, and strategise for the future.

“Giving is not the exclusive right of the rich. At our individual levels, we can help our neighbours. And that’s the essence of Rotary,” he said.