Dear Rotarians/ International PolioPlus Committee members/
Directors and Trustees,Nigerians Everywhere
It is with great pride that we inform you that one of our own
has been named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the
World.” Just a few moments ago, Dr. Tunji
Funsho, Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair was named to the
TIME 100 list for his critical leadership in working with Rotary
members and our partners to achieve a wild polio-free Nigeria and
eradicate the wild poliovirus in the African region.
He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for
our work to eradicate polio.
Dr. Funsho is a member of the Rotary Club of Lekki in Lagos,
Nigeria and is Past District Governor of District 9110 and member
of the International PolioPlus Committee. Dr. Funsho is a
cardiologist with a lifelong commitment to building a healthier
world. As Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair since 2013, he has built
on the work of his predecessors by leading PolioPlus efforts in
Nigeria.
Working alongside his fellow Rotarians, Dr. Funsho has built
awareness for the importance of polio immunization, encouraged
governments and public figures to support polio eradication, and
served as a vocal leader and advocate for Rotary and our fight to
end polio.
The TIME 100 list recognizes the activism, innovation and
achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. Dr. Funsho
joins the list with some of the most important and well-known
public figures in the world who have been past recipients of the
honor: heads of state such as Angela Merkel, religious figures like
the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and
Bono, philanthropists like Bill Gates, and activists such as Malala
Yousafzai.
Dr. Funsho stands on the shoulders of the countless women and
men of Rotary who have dedicated their lives, their time, and their
money to Rotary’s top priority of eradicating polio.
This honor is not just a testament to his work, it is
acknowledgment that Rotary members make a difference in the
world—one that is acknowledgment that Rotary members make a
difference in the world one that is worthy of international
recognition among the world’s most distinguished leaders. Every
Rotarian can be a leader in the fight to eradicate polio.
We hope you’ll use this recognition of Dr. Funsho and Rotary as
an opportunity to put renewed energy and focus into creating a
world where no child ever again has to be paralyzed by the
poliovirus. We’ve come so far into our fight to eradicate polio,
and we’ve made incredible progress in the face of enormous
challenges. As we join in congratulation to Dr. Funsho, let’s join
together and deliver upon our promise to End Polio Now.
Sincerely, Holger Knaack K.R. Ravindran President, Rotary
International Chair,
The Rotary Foundation
CC: RI Board of Directors & Directors-Elects, TRF Board of
Trustees + Incoming Trustees District Governors, District
Governors-Elect PolioPlus Committees (International PolioPlus
Committee, 2020-21 EPN Countdown to History Campaign Committee,
Polio Eradication Advocacy Task Forces, PolioPlus National Advocacy
Advisors, National PolioPlus Committee Chairs, End Polio Now Zone
Coordinators) Regional Leaders (RCs, RPICs, RRFCs, E/MGAs) Rotary
clubs in Nigeria PRIPs, DRFCs
Communications Committee End Polio Now Newsletter Subscribers
ONE ROTARY CENTER 1560 SHERMAN AVENUE EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201-3698
USA ROTARY.ORG