The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rotary Club

  • Rotary Club empowers the less privileged

    Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, in conjunction with Rotaract Club of Omole-Golden, has empowered the less privileged by giving them tools.

    The empowerment, which was done to commemorate the 2019 World Rotaract Week, was held yesterday in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The President, Mrs. Ibironke Alaba, urged the recipients to use the items well.

    She said the empowerment, which was a joint project on vocational service, was being done by the clubs as part of their humanitarian services.

    A former President of the club, Mr. Abiodun Oshinibosi, said the empowerment was being carried out to enhance businesses and support people.

    Oshinibosi said: “You need to build a good relationship with your customers. You need to prioritise customer relationship. You should interact with your customers and prospective customers. If you do this, you will retain their patronage and secure new ones. Learn to treat your customers and clients well. Do them right.”

    Rotaract Club of Omole-Golden President Deji Sobowale hailed Rotary Club of Omole-Golden for being a role model, a motivator and a supporter.

    A recipient, Mrs. Yinka Fusigboye, a hairdresser, who was given a dryer, on behalf of others, thanked the clubs for their gesture.

    She said: “We will use the equipment well and obey the advice given us.”

    Other recipients are Mr. Ope Adebayo, Mr Kehinde Fatai and Mr Olusola Adedayo, who received a pair of clippers each, Mrs. Iyabo Adebola got a drive (a machine used to check sugar level) and Miss Temitope Oladunwo, a sewing machine.

     

  • Rotary Club empowers the less privileged

    Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, in conjunction with Rotaract Club of Omole-Golden, has empowered the less privileged by giving them tools.

    The empowerment, which was done to commemorate the 2019 World Rotaract Week, was held yesterday in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The President, Mrs. Ibironke Alaba, urged the recipients to use the items well.

    She said the empowerment, which was a joint project on vocational service, was being done by the clubs as part of their humanitarian services.

    A former President of the club, Mr. Abiodun Oshinibosi, said the empowerment was being carried out to enhance businesses and support people.

    Oshinibosi said: “You need to build a good relationship with your customers. You need to prioritise customer relationship. You should interact with your customers and prospective customers. If you do this, you will retain their patronage and secure new ones. Learn to treat your customers and clients well. Do them right.”

    Rotaract Club of Omole-Golden President Deji Sobowale hailed Rotary Club of Omole-Golden for being a role model, a motivator and a supporter.

    A recipient, Mrs. Yinka Fusigboye, a hairdresser, who was given a dryer, on behalf of others, thanked the clubs for their gesture.

    She said: “We will use the equipment well and obey the advice given us.”

    Other recipients are Mr. Ope Adebayo, Mr Kehinde Fatai and Mr Olusola Adedayo, who received a pair of clippers each, Mrs. Iyabo Adebola got a drive (a machine used to check sugar level) and Miss Temitope Oladunwo, a sewing machine.

     

  • Celebrating 33 years of service to humanity

    It was a three-in-one event on March 4, when Rotary Club of Akowonjo District 9110, Nigeria held its 33rd anniversary, OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports

    It was an evening to celebrate 33 years of serving humanity on March 4, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.  The District Governor, Past Presidents, Past District Governors, the President and members of Rotary Club of Akowonjo District 9110 Nigeria as well as family and friends were gathered to celebrate Rotary Club of Akowonjo District 9110, Nigeria at 33.

    The ceremony also featured induction of new members into the club, recognition of past presidents of the club and a launch of the club’s “Achiever’s magazine”.

    The District Governor, Kola Sodipo, commended the club for its active service to humanity.

    He said the club has been able to do what they are supposed to do and have been able to sustain it over the years in various areas including membership, Rotary Foundation, projects and strengthening the club.

    According to him, “the club’s president has done a lot in the service year with the support of all members. She has been able to come up with a number of innovations in this Rotary year. She ensured that service projects were implemented and I am happy with what has been done in Rotary Foundation. She could not have achieved all without the support of her members because it is a team work. They all worked hard to ensure that people out there enjoyed the benefit of our services to humanity”.

    “I also commend them because the club has created so many clubs and produced district governors and I know they will produce more.”

    He urged them not to relent on their efforts, continue doing what they know how to do well, serving humanity with all their time talents, efforts, without counting cost and in ensuring that neighbours and friends and all those around them know that they are an inspiration to them at the community and the world at large”.

    “We are here today celebrating 33 years of commitment to serving human beings they may or may never meet. It has been fulfilling, they have been able to impact various communities, most especially Akowonjo which they take their name from. They have done lots of projects which those in the community would continue to cherish for years to come. They have impacted various areas from health, education, empowerment, poverty alleviation and community developmen,.” he said.

    A Past District Governor (PDG), Otunba Bola Onabadejo, said it has been 33 years of fun, achievement  and progress at the club.

    He said: “The club has achieved a lot over the years and we have attained the best position in the district. We have produced other clubs and we will still produce more.”

    Otunba Onabadejo described the club as an effective one in Rotary, saying they have done well, they have done a lot of projects and produced leaders serving beyond the club.

    “We have strong membership, we have contributed a lot to Rotary Foundation, we impact a lot on our community and we will continue to do more,” he said.

    The President of the club, Rotarian Bisi Taiwo noted that the day was to celebrate all the club’s past presidents for their contributions in no small measure to the growth of the club in the years gone by.

    “I specially applaud the consistency and steadfastness of some of our charter members. I am also grateful for the support I have so far received from all the past presidents and members of the club.”

    She noted that the club is not only executing laudable projects and raising leaders but they are also increasing in numbers.

    “It is my strong believe that this club has found its place among the comity of Rotary clubs in District 9110.”

    She wished the club more wonderful years of service saying her best days are still ahead of her urging members to keep reaching, keep seeking and keep working together to make their communities better. “There is so much to do and we are the inspiration that the world is waiting to see, let us continue to inspire,” she said.

    The Chairman of Rotary Club of Akowonjo 33rd Anniversary Planning Committee, Tunde Alimi, stated that the club has partnered with several institutions to provide literacy education, donated diverse medical equipment in the health sector and embarked on numerous visitations to orphanages among others. The well-attended  event was crowned with the decoration of some of the club’s prominent members with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) membership pin amongst whom were the President, Rotarian Bisi Taiwo, Past Assistant Governor (PAG) Kemi Popoola, immediate Past President, Valentine Shomoye and the club’s President -elect, Abdulkareem Musa.

  • Rotary Club of Omole-Golden fights polio

    Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Lagos at the weekend waged a war against polio by organising “End Polio Walk”.

    Members, who assembled at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos at 7am, trekked from there to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) junction, Ojodu.

    The Rotarians educated the public on the dangers of polio, how to prevent it, the need to eradicate it and how it can be eradicated.

    Members, who wore T-shirts, fez caps and aprons with the inscriptions: “Goodbye to polio, thank you Rotary”, “Be an immunisation champion”, “End polio now patapata”, “End polio now, maintain zero polio!” etc, said it was high time polio was kicked out of Nigeria.

    They carried placards with the inscriptions: “End polio now, make history today”, “Help Rotary win the war against polio”, “Making Nigeria completely polio free” and “Support to end polio, donate generously”.

    The Rotarians also carried a banner, which read: “Rotary Club of Omole-Golden District 9110 End Polio Walk.

    They gave pamphlets and flyers to residents of Ogba, Omole, Ojodu, Berger, Isheri and their environs.

    To prevent gridlock, the Rotarians were accompanied by two Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA) officers.

    Melodious music was played, to enliven the walk.

    The President, Rotn. Ibironke Alaba, said: “Every year, October 24 is regarded as the World Polio Day to increase awareness on the eradication efforts and promote routine immunisation. We are so close to eradication, but there is so much work left to do.

    “Rotary International has contributed to the polio eradication efforts through donation of billions of dollars for vaccine procurement, voluntary man-hour, advocacy, community mobilisation and supervision.

    “Over the years, Rotary Club of Omole-Golden has participated in community engagement and sensitisation on polio eradication in collaboration with Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government and Ojodu Local Council Development Area.”

  • Rotary Club donates to hospital

    Rotary Club of Omole-Golden has donated some equipment to the General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos.

    The equipment are five photo therapy machines, five incubators and a decorated neo natal clinic.

    Rotary International District 9110 Nigeria, District Governor Rotarian Kola Sodipo, who was on an official visit, hailed the Omole-Golden club for embarking on projects.

    Sodipo said: “I’m not surprised that the club is today donating items to the General Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye because it is known for embarking on projects.

    “I hail the President, Rotarian Ibironke Alaba and her team for piloting the affairs of the club efficiently.

    “The club is functional. Concerning membership, it is effective. Two personalities have joined the club today. Eminent people join the club on a regular basis.

    “If one considers the projects to be executed and the ones already executed, the club has scored a pass mark.”

    Alaba, who coordinated the presentation of N500,000 cheque to 10 beneficiaries of the club’s micro-credit scheme, said each person would get N50,000.

    The club, she said, was committed to improving people’s lives.

  • Back-to-school bags for pupils

    The Rotary Club of New Towns, Oko Oba has donated back-to-school bags to over 500 pupils in Ijaiye-Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The club, which is a member of District 9110, revealed that the gesture was borne out of the need to create a better environment for children to increase their zeal for learning.

    In a chat with reporters, the Secretary, Rotarian Morenike Tawak noted that no amount of investment in future leaders is too much as it helps in grooming them to become better members of the society.

    She said: “We did a need assessment and discovered that school bags would go a long way. Other school pupils around us also need assistance, and we are assuring them that we will get to them. This is our second intervention in Wesley Primary School. We intend to extend it to other schools because we have a larger programme lined up.

    “We are looking at coming up with an ICT centre for them, fixing their boreholes and toilet among others, but because the session is just starting, we decided to begin with the back-to-school bags programme which comprises five branded note books with the school’s name boldly etched on each and that of the Rotary Club, a pencil, eraser and ruler all packed together,” she said.

    She revealed that the club is on donor drive in order to enable it fund its programmes.

    “We depend on donors for funds. So, we are on a donor-drive to fund the projects we have in mind. These projects will be beneficial to other schools in this compound. We intend to fix fire extinguishers in the school as well as organise fire drill for the pupils and teachers to prepare them for unforeseen fire outbreak.

    “We have plans to have a book club so that our members will find time to come around and read along with them. This is because the reading culture is almost non-existent; it is something that we have identified to address. We are not going to stop at giving them materials but we would engage them so that they would know they have prospect.

    “The Rotary District 9110 encompasses Lagos and Ogun states. The club was inducted on June 30, 2016. We also did our charter presentation on December 18, last year. We began with this school as our launchpad in the community where we base, as charity begins at home.

    “We also have plans to reach out to artisans as part of our goals, as well as the maternal health programme that we intend to have in Orile Agege Primary Health Centre.

    Rotarian Michael Ogunwale, who initiated the idea of the club, noted that if Nigeria can adopt the transition arrangement for leadership as it obtains in Rotary Club, Nigeria’s leadership problem will be in the trash can of history.

  • Rotary Club battles maternal mortality, poverty

    Reduction of maternal mortality, women and youth empowerment and improved sanitation will be the major preoccupation of members the Rotary Club of Agege, this year, Kayode Opeifa has said.

    Opeifa, former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, spoke at his investiture as the 35th President of the club and fundraising for projects under his leadership.

    He said the club has secured two incubators from one of its partners, while two medical missions from the United States of America (USA) and Canada would take place in September. This, he said was aimed at improving health care and well-being of the people.

    He revealed that the Rotary Club of Agege, which is one of the flagship clubs in District 9110, would continue to be at the forefront in delivering quality humanitarian interventions to the downtrodden, even as he urged well-meaning individuals and philanthropists to partner with the club.

    Still on its intervention in health care delivery, Opeifa said the club would impact on the lives of 3,000 indigent expectant mothers by installing inverters and electricity generating sets in three primary health care centres and play active role in disease prevention, especially in the war against polio.

    He said: “We will, under the leadership of our District Governor Rotarian Kola Shodipo, work hard to put an end to polio, not only in Nigeria but worldwide. We will join two million other Rotarians worldwide as a component part of Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, to put smiles on the faces of billions of people in the world through the Rotary six areas of focus.”

    Opeifa, who later presented Rotary’s most influential youth award to Temitope Adekunle, (popularly known as Small Doctor), said the club would reach out to 1,000 indigent students with back-to-school items such as school bags, note books and other writing materials.

    At the event, were important personalities, among who are the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade, human rights lawyer Mr femi Falana (SAN), former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), former Chairman Lagos State APC, Chief Henry Ajomale, Managing Director of the Lagos State Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS), Mr Segun Obayendo and the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, among others.

    He advised: “Let us together put smiles on those little kids with thorn shoes who struggle to learn because their parents cannot afford a decent school uniform for them. Let’s lean on you to end drug abuse (Codeine and Tramadol) among our youths. Join us to inspire our young adults to discover their talents, build and realise their potential. Join us to bring hope to the hopeless, life to the lifeless and secure peace in a world devastated by war and conflicts.”

    Earlier, the guest speaker Mrs Folashade Ayoade challenged members of Rotary Club to inspire change in the society by encouraging quality intervention that could put an end to sufferings.

    In his goodwill message, Oyeyemi said he was proud of associating with the Rotary Club, adding that the club is preaching a gospel of selfless service which, according to him, is “uncommon in this part of the world.”

  • Rotary Club of Lagos Island installs Kumar Gulati as 3rd President

    The Rotary Club of Lagos Island has installed Rotarian Kumar Gulati as its third President, to lead the affairs of the club for the period 2018-2019.

    Giving his address, the Immediate Past President, Rotarian PHF Sanjeev Tandon commended the District Governor and members for all the support he got as the pioneer leader.

    Tandon listed some of the projects executed in 2017/18 to include: Membership development; development of Rotary Foundation with a target contribution of $10,000; Mission for Vision support through which so many people benefitted from; clean water project (providing water for a minimum of 5 schools); setting up of free medical checkup camps and blood donation camps support among others.

    New District Governor, Rotary Club 9110, Rotarian Kola Sodipo who was the special guest of honour at the installation ceremony, congratulated Rotarian Tandon and his board members for a very successful 2017 – 2018 Rotary year and the newly elected Rotarian Kumar Gulati.

    “I urge you Rotarian Gulati, to continue from where your predecessor has stopped as you lead Rotary Club of Lagos Island through a new phase. I have already seen the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment in you”, he said.

     

     

    Speaking on the theme for 2018 – 2019 Rotary year, ‘Be the Inspiration’ Sodipo pointed out that members can only be the inspiration when they touch the lives of the millions of people that are faced with various social afflictions.

    The New President PHF Rotarian Raj Kumar Gulati in his speech assured the members that the Rotary Club of Lagos Island (RCLI) will have as its three top priorities the support and strengthening of the club, focus & increase in humanitarian services and enhancing Rotary’s public image & awareness.

    Gulati highlighted some of the projects to be executed in the new year to include: Blood donations in 6 camps; Vocational Trainings for 200 persons; Provision of Artificial limbs to more than 1000 indigent persons; Cataracts eye surgeries to be carried out in Kano and Lagos State, among others

    Rotary Club of Lagos Island, which is a Mega Club in District 9110 which covers Lagos and Ogun State, is one of the vibrant clubs.

     

  • Rotary Club encourages blood donation

    African Industries Group (AIG), in collaboration with Rotary Club of Lagos Island, has held a blood donation camp at its Odungunyan office, near Ikorodu, Lagos.

    President of Rotary Club of Lagos Mr. Sanjeev Tandon, said blood is the gift of life and that everyone should be his brother’s keeper by donating blood.

    Mr Rocheet Abbi, Vice-President Dr. Sunit Deb Roy and Secretary Ms. Mamta Deb Roy represented Rotary while African Industries Group was represented by Mr. Ravi Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ikorodu Steel Mills (ISM) and Mr. S. Narayanan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

    The voluntary donation began with a steady stream of donors. They were joined by African Steel Mills and African Foundries employees, who participated in large numbers.

    The camp was witnessed by Nigerian and Indian nationals with some returning to donate blood after a long time. They were enthusiastic. However, not everyone donated. Some were dejected after being turned back for lack of sufficient haemoglobin.

    Of the 137 people that registered, 109 were able to donate blood. Tandon described the exercise as a ‘record’.

    It was heart-warming to see members of Rotary Club, Lagos attending in large numbers, despite their tight schedules. To show how committed they were about the exercise, they waited patiently for other donors beyond the camp timing to take their turns.

    African Industries Group contributes its best to the society through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. The company ensures that the event was a huge success.

  • Rotary Gbagada South donates facilities

    Rotary Club Gbagada South has donated wash hand facilities to Oworoshoki schools as part of its contributions to cleanliness among pupils. It also donated N100,000 for their upkeep.

    At Lagos Mainland Primary School, Fadeyi, Yaba, last Thursday the club also donated 40 sets of classroom furniture and a set of teachers’ furniture.

    Its President Biliamin Sanni said the donation was in fulfillment of a promise by the group to the schools. He urged the teachers and pupils to embrace cleanliness and maintain the facilities. He promised to erect three wash hand stations in each of the blocks in the Oworoshoki school complex.

    There are over 10 blocks on the premises.

    Launching the facilities, Rotary International District 9110 Governor Kola Sodipo, urged the teachers and pupils to cultivate the habit of washing their hands regularly and keeping their environment clean.

    Sodipo, a pharmacist, said sickness respected no one, no matter his education or social standing, adding that it was for this that Rotary harps on water provision and sanitation.

    The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) School Support Services Director Ade Abatan thanked Rotary for the gesture to schools. He enjoined other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the government like Rotary.

    Head teacher of Lagos Mainland School, Mr. Augustine Akinagbe praised Rotary for ‘’work well done’’: adding: ‘’Like Oliver Twist, we still need more.’’