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In a bid to join the global fight against polio, a major humanitarian campaign, tagged #EmmaRidesForZeroPolio initiative, will be launched by Nigerian Rotarian and adventurer, Rtn. Emmanuel Olatunji Okedeyi, on May 26, 2026.
The project, described as a historic trans-continental advocacy and fundraising mission, will see Okedeyi embark on a demanding 12,200km motorcycle expedition across 13 countries spanning Europe and Africa.
The journey, officially scheduled to commence on June 12, 2026, will begin in London, United Kingdom, before passing through France and Spain into Africa via Morocco. The route will then continue through Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin before ending in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 7, 2026.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to raise £100,000 in support of Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign, a global effort focused on eradicating polio permanently.
Operating under a “£10 = 1 Kilometer” fundraising model, every £10 donated will sponsor one kilometre of the expedition while also contributing towards life-saving vaccines for vulnerable children.
Beyond fundraising, the campaign is also expected to drive conversations around child health, safety, and international cooperation, especially in underserved communities along the expedition route.
Okedeyi, who is the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Mushin Golden in Lagos, brings more than two decades of professional experience to the initiative. The project is being coordinated by a team that includes P.A.G. Dr. Ayo Adeyemi and Rtn. Dr. Toluwalope Daramola.
The mission has also attracted support from several humanitarian and corporate organisations, including the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), where Okedeyi serves as an ambassador. Strategic partners on the initiative include Leadway Assurance, News Central TV, and Expedier.
According to the organisers, supporters who sponsor up to 100 kilometres of the journey — equivalent to £1,000 — will receive a Paul Harris Fellow recognition in appreciation of their contribution to the humanitarian cause.
The official flag-off ceremony for the initiative will take place on May 26, 2026, at the Historic Croydon Airport Trust, Croydon Airport Visitor Centre in London.
Organisers say the project is not only about completing a long-distance expedition but also about reinforcing the message that access to healthcare and child protection can serve as powerful tools for peace, stability, and global development.
