“We will continue to engage with stakeholders, addressing pressing issues and capitalising on opportunities. We will develop innovative initiatives, tackling challenges and creating lasting impact,” he stated.
In her welcome address, Sarah Sandah, chairperson of the anniversary celebrations planning committee, said the celebration is in honour of great things that the club has accomplished in the last 25 years, which ranges from heart care campaigns to building health centres, hostels and school blocks, sinking boreholes to provide water in communities, and polio eradication drives.”
A former president of Rotary Club of Isolo, District 9111, Lagos, Ololade Ajibike, the Erelu Okin of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, has said that the empowerment of more women and girls across Nigeria will help reduce many problems in society including unemployment and prostitution.
The revered traditional chief, who gave the assertion during an elaborate ceremony to mark her 50th birthday in Lagos on Saturday, added that providing legitimate sources of livelihood to women and girls will make them more productive and take their minds off immoral activities like prostitution and drug abuse.
Erelu Ajibike, who has championed several causes aimed at giving women and girls better lives across Nigeria over the years, stressed that by creating avenues for economic survival to the female gender, society will be taking off a lot of pressure on families and households in many parts of the country.
The social advocate disclosed that attaining the golden age has further ignited the passion to serve humanity and contribute towards the development of women and girls in society.
She said, “There’s so much that we stand to gain as a society if we empower more women and girls with the resources they need to live decently and meaningfully.
“For the most part of my life, I have been committed to uplifting women and girls in various communities across the country.”
“Now that I am 50, I feel an even greater urge to continue to speak for women and girls in our society who remain marginalised and pushed down the pecking order as a result of the lack of access to economic resources, thereby forcing many of them into prostitution and drug abuse.”
Rotary Club of Omole-Golden has held a vocational service seminar for students of Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School, Ogba, Lagos. The seminar, aimed to inspire and guide students in discovering their career paths, was a success.
The event began with opening remarks by the President of the club, Rtn Jide Ogunleye, who emphasised the importance of vocational training and career guidance for youths.
He said the club’s goal was to empower the students with the knowledge and skills they needed to make informed decisions about their future.
The seminar featured a keynote speech on ‘Entrepreneurship’ by Prince Olufemi Oladipupo, chairman of Vocational Service Committee of Rotary Club of Omole-Golden. Oladipupo shared his experience and insights on how to start and run a successful business. He advised students to think creatively and explore their entrepreneurial potential.
Other speakers at the seminar included Rtn Boluwatiwi Ayo-Opaleke, Rtn Musibau Ajani, Dr. Olanike Aladesuyi and Rtn Sandra Aiyudu-Dickson, who spoke on topics related to career development and vocational training.
The Rotary Club of Abuja, Kubwa has received praise from the management of JKS Orphanage Home for Children with Special Needs in Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for its commendable humanitarian efforts.
The recognition came after the club donated limb-assisting equipment and other essential materials to support children with disabilities during its recent two-in-one community service initiative.
Led by its president, Olayemi Idowu, the Rotarians commenced the project with a free medical outreach within the satellite town.
In partnership with Street Love Alliance, the outreach provided comprehensive health check-ups and free medication for malaria, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, earning the gratitude of the beneficiaries.
After the medical outreach, Idowu led the club members to the JKS Orphanage Home for Children with Special Needs, where they donated essential items, including wheelchairs, a first aid box, play mats, and other vital supplies, to support the children.
Nifemi Ajileye, the Proprietress of the orphanage, highlighted the significance of the Rotary Club’s gesture, emphasizing that the impact of the donations is immeasurable, considering the challenges involved in caring for children with special needs and supporting their caregivers.
She recounted the immense challenges of caring for the children, most of whom were taken in under dire circumstances, with various health challenges, including autism, cerebral palsy, and other complex medical conditions.
According to her, some were abandoned in hospitals or other unimaginable places by their parents, like one child left in a hospital kitchen by the mother, and another rescued from a mentally ill mother who had endured prolonged labour.
Ajileye and the caregivers at the orphanage expressed deep gratitude for the visit and donations with heartfelt prayers for the members of the Rotary Club.
Commending the caregivers for the wonderful job they are doing for humanity, Rotarian Obas Ekeinde said, “This is where charity begins, and this is where goodwill truly takes root.
“We want to thank you for caring for these kids, one can just imagine the effort involved in caring for one challenged child, let alone this number of children. It is tedious work.
“To the parents who consider abandoning their responsibilities, we empathize with the challenges you face.
“But for you who have taken on the monumental task of caring for so many children, we deeply appreciate your dedication”.
Olayemi, while commending the caregivers for their remarkable efforts, emphasized that one of Rotary’s core values is bringing smiles to the faces of those in need, particularly struggling and underserved communities.
She noted that the support provided to the orphanage was a fulfillment of the Rotary ideals while urging the Orphanage caregivers not to despair, knowing that what they are doing is for humanity.
“As a club, this is our humble contribution. We encourage you to use it in the best way possible, and for that, we sincerely say thank you,” she added.
In a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing the living standards of the Orere community in Delta State, the Rotary Club of Ubeji has partnered with the Roli Mabo Foundation to deliver access to clean water.
The official launch of this initiative took place on November 29th, 2024 signaling a hopeful new beginning for the residents who have struggled with inadequate water supply. At the event, the Delta State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Honourable Samuel Oligida, underscored the vital role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in bolstering public health and stimulating the local economy. Rotarian Toyo Ovie Jack, chairperson of the Rotary Club, remarked, “The people of Orere have serious issues with water.
The Roli Mabo Foundation identified this problem and approached us for partnership to carry out this project because both organizations share the same mission and vision. We quickly embraced the idea and took on over 70% of the project cost.” The Founder of the Roli Mabo Foundation, Ade Mabo, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the government, the Rotary Club, and the community.
The Rotary Club of Agege has launched a community advocacy program focused on parenting education to address societal challenges and reduce wayward behavior.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 5,000 participants benefitted from the initiative, which was designed to support residents of Agege and surrounding areas.
Dr. Taiwo Adelanwa, the project team lead for Basic Education and Literacy, highlighted the importance of the program. She explained that the initiative aims to tackle issues of waywardness among children and address the struggles of ‘trial-and-error’ parenting.
“What we do is community education on basic education and literacy. We also do community advocacy on literacy, child literacy and parenting alongside this project.
“In Rotary we have our area of focus and every month there are projects assigned to each month to achieve these areas of focus.
“With my team we decided that this project is not about going to school to do debates for children alone.
“The other strategy is to go into community and do community education to the major stakeholders in the basic education of the child, who are the parents.
“We also decided to work with other stakeholders like the government authority.
“We are so blessed to have a fantastic relationship with the local government of Agege,” she said
Adelanwa said that the first phase, was done in the in October where Rotary went to the community, educated them on the importance of child-based education and literacy.
She added that the education authority also came to update the community on opportunities, interventions, programmes available from the government angle to enhance child-based education and literacy.
“There were a lot of shock response and protection on the part of the state government for the child-based education and literacy that a lot of people are not aware of.
“Like on this project, I found out what they call Project Zero. I have never heard about it.Where you have truly indigent children in the community that are purely indigent and cannot afford basic education.
“The government provides Project Zero initiative, the government not only provides them with free education, but also provides for all their educational needs, from stationery to school uniform to shoes, socks and everything.
“And ensures support that indigent children have basic, essential education. This is a fantastic intervention that we are now aware of,” she added.
Adelanwa also noted that the education authority also provided Rotary with counsellors who came into the programme to bring their services next to the community.
She said that the education counsellors in the local government came to the community to provide edu-counselling for parents and children alike who need guidance and counselling on their academics.
Adelanwa said it has been a fantastic experience as it was an eye-opener on the needs and gaps for parents to be tutored on parenting skills especially when dealing with special children.
According to her, this situation are rampant in the community and it’s importance for the Rotary to initiate the project for future purpose in the society.
Mrs Adewunmi Oyewole, the Past Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club of Agege said that the programme was put in place to give basic education and enlighten the parents and young mothers on parenting skills.
“Therefore, some people are just living without awareness.
This is the second in two months that we are doing.
“We have a lot of children in Agege, we are actually excited about parents’ needs to be counselled.
“So it’s, if we can go into it to have this control, we will have that responsibility especially at this time, when things are not working the way we want it to be.
“Because there are quite a lot of children on roads who don’t have a home. Because parents don’t even know where the children are. So it all boils down to the fact that the home is lacking in some areas.
Mr Adekunle Akorede, the Projects Chair, Rotary Club Agege said that the programme was overwhelming and impactful to parents especially the young mothers who lack proper guidance before getting pregnant.
Akorede said that parenting education advocacy programme would bring positive impacts to the community in the nearest future.
We are here to talk to parents about the important of taking their children to school or give them opportunity learn a vocational skills for self reliant,” he said.
Mrs Motunrayo Ogunyomi Education Secretary Agege Local Government, in her remarks said that the education department in the council has partnered the Rotary for grassroots community development.
Ogunyomi represented by Adekunle Adebote, said that the education authority was in partnership with Rotary Club Agege to create an awareness on government programmes in education to the residents.
“So many communities in Lagos are not aware of the project Zero of the state government on education sector.
“Projects zero is initiated to cater for the indigent pupils by providing school materials for children to learn effectively
“All these we are exposing them to to take proper advantage of them,” he said.
Rotary Club of Ota has joined Rotary International to celebrate Rotary Foundation Month, with fund-raising for projects.
The event was held in Ota, Ogun State.
Foundation Chair and past president, Funke Salau, said Rotary Foundation was a non-profit organisation that supported Rotary International’s efforts to promote world understanding, peace and goodwill.
‘’Its mission is to support Rotarians and their clubs in charitable activities that improve health, education and alleviate poverty,’’ she added.
Salau said Rotary Foundation projects included eradicating polio, peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, supporting basic education and literacy to reduce gender disparity in education, economic and community development and increasing adult literacy.
As part of its beautification project, Rotary Club of Gowon Estate has renovated two roundabouts at the estate in Lagos State.
The club empowered four widows with grinding machines, costing N1.2 million.
The roundabouts were rebuilt at roads 11 and 31 for about N8 million, President, Olayinwola Ajayi, said.
He said the projects were part of activities to give selfless services to their host communities and the funds sourced from members committed to a clean environment.
He recalled that one of the roundabouts became a refuse dump, and hoped the roundabouts would ease traffic.
District 9111 Governor, Dr. Wole Kukoyi , on his maiden visit, inaugurated the projects.
“l am proud of you. Rotary should be proud of this. The roundabouts are the first major donation this year. It is good public image for us,” he said.
He enjoined residents to maintain them. He urged the women to use the grinders to take care of their families.
Madam lbrahim Opeleyeru, who spoke for the widows, thanked the Rotarians for their donations and pledged to take care of the machines.
District Governor’s Visit Planning Committee Chair, Jemilo Bawakata and a past assistant governor (PAG), Ben Okhumale, said the projects were part of 2024 programmes, adding there is more to come.
Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, with CrimsonBow Sickle Cell Initiative and Ritemate Technologies, has hosted ‘Empower a Warrior’ project at Rotary Centre in Ikeja GRA.
The event aligned with Rotary’s theme for the month—Economic & Community Development—focused on raising awareness about sickle cell disease, while advancing economic opportunities for sickle cell warriors.
The event saw warriors step up in a business pitch competition, presenting their ideas with creativity and vision.
The three top competitors were given grants to support the development of their businesses.
Recognising importance of sustained support, Ritemate Technologies, led by its Managing Director, Jide Ogunleye, gave additional N200,000 to uplift one of the winners.
He said: “We are proud to stand with CrimsonBow and support these warriors as they pursue their business goals.”
Timi Edwin, founder of CrimsonBow, hailed the collaboration, stressing importance of empowerment in the lives of those with sickle cell.
Not less than 120,000 Nigerians across the country were lifted by Rotary International (Nigeria) free health services.
Packaged by Rotary for Family Health & AIDS Prevention Inc (rfha), an action group under the Rotary International (Nigeria), the services that gulped $240,000 was held simultaneously in 120 sites in many states of the federation.
The three days health services’ event that ended on Saturday, was held in conjunction with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Speaking at the take-off of the event, the National Programme Coordinator of the exercise, Bola Oyebade said, the event held in conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with Rotary Clubs and Districts in Nigeria, ministries of health, private sector and NGOs, was targeted at meeting some health challenges of Nigerians.
According to him, some of the services provided were polio immunization, malaria screening and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, hepatitis B &C, diabetes & glucose level screening, hypertension screening, tuberculosis screening and vitamin A administration.
Others were deworming of children, distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets, cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening.
Counseling and tests on family planning, distribution of sanitary pads, eye test, dental care and Covid-19 awareness and sensitization were also done.
“For the three days, Rotary Clubs organised mount booths and set up camps in various locations, tested, screened and examined members of the public”, he added.
Oyebade, also a past District Governor of Rotary 9111, said the programme, which was a routine, was meant to aid Nigerians who cannot afford basic medical services.
Oyebade, who hailed Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, noted that the event had gained momentum over the years, hinted on how the group also in some cases gives referral.
At the opening ceremony, a Senior Gender Specialist for Rotary Family Health and AIDs Prevention Group, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Edith Makandi, urged Nigerians both in the public and private sectors, to ensure erase gender inequality in the continent.
“It is important to ensure that gender equality and social inclusion are integrated in the work we do.
“But the way we look at integration of gender equality and social inclusion in this kind of a program is to ensure issues of access, equal access to health is taken into consideration.
Noting that there is huge inequality in the sector, she added: “We know very well health services are not given. If you don’t have the means, you don’t get unfettered access to health services.
“Our goal is to make sure that no one is left behind when we get to issues of health services, whether you’re a woman, a man, a boy, and a girl.”
“And those are some of the issues that we would like to start looking at those barriers and addressing to make sure that everyone gets access to health care.
“So, we will look at more equity within the equitable access to health care and deal with those issues whether it’s social norms, cultural norms, social beliefs, religious beliefs.”
According to her, the group’s goal was to make sure that no one was left behind in issues of affording health services, either as a woman, a man, a boy, or a girl.
She called on all stakeholders to ensure that these issues were addressed.
“And I say two critical issues in our lives to progress even as a country are education and health. If you’re aware from an education perspective, then, you will make decisions that will ensure your health and the health of your children, the health of your household; because a healthy household means that it’s a healthy nation.”
