The Managing Editor (Northern Operations) of The Nation newspaper, Rotarian Yusuf Alli, was at the weekend crowned as the 11th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama District.
The investiture was chaired by a former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima.
Extolling Alli’s numerous qualities, the former governor said the quintessential journalist’s life is a study in dedicated professionalism, service, and a deep sense of duty. “These were the essential building blocks of the life Rotarian Yusuf Alli has lived over several decades as a journalist per excellence.
“Today, he has been recognised as a leading authority in investigative journalism in our country. His colleagues, from far and near, recognise the incredible hard-work he puts into every story he pursues and the excellent quality of his outputs in the professional field. If all that Rotarian Yusuf Alli has done in life is the exemplary service that he has given to journalism in our country, we would be forgiven to conclude that he has done enough for a lifetime.
“But here we are today to witness his investiture as the 11th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama. I think the lesson to draw from that is that Yusuf Alli is very dedicated to community good, not only in journalism. By reaching the height he has attained today, as the 11th President of a body like the Rotary Club, we can similarly underscore the fact that his dedication to community good reaches beyond his calling as a journalist,” Shettima said.
In his acceptance speech, Alli appreciated the rare privilege offered him to be at the driver’s seat of the Rotary Club Abuja Maitama. He added, “I have never aspired to lead. All I wanted was to serve in my little way. I came from a family with a deep passion for service and giving. I also married from a family which loves to share and give. So, I saw myself only living up to type in the Rotary Club.
“It does not look extraordinary. I need to explain this to clear doubts about my resilience for service in the Rotary Club. As long as I serve humanity, I do not expect anything in return. If I have my way, I will recommend that all Nigerians should join Rotary International, an organisation with 1.4 million members all over the world. With Rotary ideals, 80 per cent of Nigeria’s problems will be solved. This body promotes the truth; it pursues fairness; it builds goodwill and better friendships and it tenaciously ensures it is beneficial to all concerned.
“If we live in a world with respect for our diversity; if we place priority on equity; and if inclusion is our lot, the world will be better for all of us. Nigerians, especially our leaders, should learn from Rotary International to overcome our problems. We need to respect our diversity, uphold equity and justice and provide opportunities for all.
“Unless all Nigerians have equal access to basic needs, we won’t be able to make it as a nation. We have abundant human resources, but our souls are weak and malfunctioning. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? This is a food for thought for all of us.”
The Rotary Foundation, founded more than 100 years ago, said it has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. “The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. What impact can one donation have? For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
“$50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness. $500 can launch an anti-bullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.”
Those who attended the event described Alli’s investiture as a well-deserved honour and a call to more service to humanity.