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Rotary honors Côte d'Ivoire president for polio eradication leadership
Rotary International News
14 August 2007
On 24 July, Rotary International recognized Côte d'Ivoire President
Laurent Gbagbo with its Polio Eradication Champion Award in honor of his
commitment to eradicating polio worldwide.
Under Gbagbo's leadership, the West African country has been free from
polio since 2005. Despite civil war in Côte d'Ivoire, Gbagbo facilitated
mass polio immunization campaigns, giving the occasions the highest level
of political support. In addition, he made a personal contribution of
US$36,000 to the cause.
Past RI President Luis Giay presented the award in Abidjan, the country's
capital.
"On behalf of Rotary’s 1.2 million members worldwide, I am honored to
present this award to President Laurent Gbagbo," said Giay. "His personal
commitment to polio eradication is an inspiration to those who are
fighting the last of this disease."
Other leaders who have been honored with the award include Malaysian Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair,
former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and former UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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