The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ROTARY

  • Rotary marks literacy month

    Rotary marks literacy month

    The Rotary Club of Lagos has begun its 2015 Basic Education and Literacy month with a visit to the Randle Avenue Primary School, Surulere, Lagos. The campaign is aimed at improving the academic performances of young school children.

    The Rotary team, led by its president and former Corporate Affairs Director at Nigerian Breweries Plc Larry Agose, included a former president Dr. Akeem Akinlade, among others.

    Agose, who taught the pupils writing methods and skills, said the Club has set aside every September as the beginning of its annual Literacy Campaign, which ends next March. He praised the headmistress Anthonia Ojeogwu and the teachers for doing a great job.

    “I am impressed with what I saw in the school since I came,” Agose said. “I must commend the head teacher and the teachers for doing a great job. We are happy to be here and we picked this school for this project because of the need to develop our public schools more. I am also impressed with the pupils. I think they are wonderful children.”

    He said they were carrying out the Hand-writing Intervention Programme as it was one of the most critical aspects of basic education because the way a pupil writes affects the way he or she thinks.

    “If you write confidently, you will grow up a confident child. If you don’t write well, you cannot pass your examinations,” the Rotarian said, adding teachers will be trained on how to teach young school children basic hand-writing skills.

    A Rotarian, Bridget Ukoh took the pupils through paper cutting and drawing to test their handwriting skills and fine motor capabilities.

    She said since the programme runs till March next year, the team will visit the school again to see the progress being made by the pupils in the area of writing and fine motor skills.

    Speaking after the exercise, the school head-teacher, Ojeogwu, expressed satisfaction that her school was picked by the Rotary Club of Lagos for the exercise.

    “I am humbled that they picked my school and I am praying God to empower them to be able to help the school as we need so many infrastructures to make our job more easier,” she said.

     

  • VGC Rotary gets ‘world-class’ president

    VGC Rotary gets ‘world-class’ president

    The Rotary Club of Garden City, Lagos has a new president, reports JOSEPH JIBUEZE

    To serve in selflessness”. Those words form part of the Rotary invocation. New President of the Rotary Club of Victoria Garden City, District 9110, Nigeria, Tony Eigbokhan, an architect, has vowed to abide by those words during his tenure. His investiture as the club’s 19th president took place last Saturday. Venue of the event oozed class. Yellow, sky blue and white drapes hung round the beautifully decorated hall. Tables were covered with yellow cloths, with colourful flowers placed on them. Lights blinked behind the elevated table where the VIPs sat.

    The call to order by the outgoing president, Christopher Anyakorah, was followed by a recital of the Rotary grace/invocation, the Four-Way Test; singing of the Rotary songs and fundraiser/raffle draw.

    Eigbokhan, a former Head of Property Department at Zenith Bank Plc and who resigned as Senior Manager at Keystone Bank to found Projectmate International Limited, a firm of building consultants, said was prepared for the position and would do his bit for humanity’s cause. “I’ve been mentally prepared  for the position. I’ll give my best to this club,” he said.

    On what he will do differently, he told reporters after his investiture: “I’ve asked the committee members to come up with their projects and take ownership. Mine is to ensure they are executed. I’ve attended over 10 trainings organised by the district, as well as exchanges in US, Canada and Portugal. So, I’m prepared. The project so dear to my heart is classroom renovation at Sangotedo primary school which had no roof, doors or windows and children sit on their sides to the wall facing the board.”

    He also intends to pursue projects on hospitals support/equipment, education support including provision of at least 5,000 dictionaries to pupils, youth empowerment, among others.

    A former Minister of Works, Dr Mike Onolememen, represented by Felix Imoisili, a lawyer, who chaired the event, said the government can learn from the manner Rotary clubs change their leaderships across the world without acrimony.

    “If leadership was about service to the people, and the purpose of government was the pursuance of happiness for the greater majority of the people, then bellicosity – and in fact war – should have no place in our nation’s polity. Clearly, in this regard, political leaders in Nigeria have so much to learn from Rotary Club,” he said.

    The guest speaker, former Liberty Bank Managing Director Chief Lawanson Omokhodion, who spoke on threats to the family system, said no matter how tough it is to survive, families must put God first, make sacrifices to be together, develop a spirit of forgiveness, avoid indulging children too much, teach young ones values and warn them of dangers of the internet and the need to avoid all forms of immorality.

    At the event were members of the club, its former presidents, including former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Joseph Sanusi (who served from 2012-2013, Olugbega Obasa (2005-2006), Victor Anorue (2009-2010), among others.

  • Rotary clears decade-old garbage site

    Rotary clears decade-old garbage site

    Bothered about the health implication a mountainous garbage heap could have on the lives of pupils of Ajuwon High School, a public school located at a border town between Lagos and Ogun states, members of the Rotary Club of Omole Golden embarked on clean-up exercise aimed at preventing any probable epidemic in the school. They exercise was to clear more than a decade-old dumpsite at the premises of the school.

    Clad in lemon-coloured reflective jackets and armed with rakes, shovels, wheel- barrows and other sanitation work tools, members of the club thronged into the premises of the school as early as 7:00 a.m. that morning, determined to ensure that the school and the pupils are saved from preventable illness that could emanate from the garbage dump.

    President of the Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Mr Idowu Afelogun, who led members of the club on the sanitation exercise, said “the project was a reflection of one of the cardinal objectives of Rotary, which is to ensure proper hygiene, sanitation and prevention of the spread of communicable diseases among the vulnerable school children.”

    He added that it was the third outing the club had embarked upon in the school.

    He said: “Last year, we donated a borehole with overhead water tank and constructed a block of modern toilet facility in the school to promote hygiene among the teachers and pupils. The club intends to provide a modern refuse bin for the school and turn the reclaimed refuse site into a botanical garden for the students’ use.” The Principal of the school, Mrs Banjoko expressed her gratitude to members of the club. She said the club’s commendable interventions have been of immense benefit to students and members of staff of the school.

    Some students who joined in the exercise were elated that the malodorous dumpsite will be a thing of the past, even though none of the students could fathom-out its history because the mountainous garbage heap has been in existence before the present set of students and members of staff of the school.

    Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Lagos Central has reiterated its commitment to upholding the mission and vision of the Rotary through global projects which include championing the construction of an eye hospital and assisting in the establishment of diabetic centres as well as centres for non-communicable diseases.

  • Rotary donates special wheelchairs to orthopaedic hospital

    As part of its efforts to bring succour to spinal cord injury victims, Rotary International Club of Ikeja South has made a donation of specialized wheelchairs to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos.

    The specialized wheelchairs, comprising of the commode, electric wheelchair and manual, according to Governor, District 9110, Otunba Bola Onabadejo, is a manifestation of the Rotary International’s objectives of touching lives and putting smiles on the faces of the needy.

    He noted that healthcare, which includes disease prevention, maternal newborn and child health, was a major area of focus for Rotary, adding that the recent victory of Nigeria over polio was achieved by the immense work of the international service organisation which began in 1905.

    Rotn Onabadejo, who formally presented the wheelchairs to Chief Nurse Officer, Mrs. Helen Okereke, at the Spinal Cord Injury Ward F, used the opportunity to encourage Nigerians who live in Lagos and Ogun states which make up District 9110 to join the club so as to impact society.

    In his remarks, President of Rotary Club of Ikeja South, Mr. Oladele Oyatope, said the wheelchairs were presented to his club by the late Mrs. Bolaji Ajayi, and was thankful to her family for deciding to donate them to the hospital for the benefit of other Nigerians.

    An elated Mrs. Helen Okereke, while thanking Rotary, explained that the electric wheelchair is a special assistant machine that can be easily manipulated even by patients who are paralysed from neck down.

    “It would enable them move around easily and aid there recovery process,” Okereke said.

    She used the opportunity to call on other humanitarian organisations to come to the aid of the hospital, which according to her, is in need of specialized equipment.

    Apart from the District Governor, others at the presentation were Assistant Governor, Rotn Kemi Popoola; Rotn Bade Oke (Past Assistant Governor); Rotn (Dr.) Julius S.O. Nwokoro and Rotn Niyi Otunuyi.

  • Glitz as Rotary gets new president in Calabar

    Glitz as Rotary gets new president in Calabar

    It was all glitz and glamour as the Rotary Club of Calabar-Tinapa District 9140 installed its 7th president for the 2015/2016 year.

    The Monty Suites Conference Hall in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, venue of the ceremony, was filled with excitement as the immediate past president, Rotn Ottobang Akpan, handed over to Rotn Nse Paulinus Tom.

    The event also featured the induction of new members, inauguration of the board of directors, presentation of service awards and a lecture on the management of prostate cancer.

    Accepting the mantle of leadership, Tom said he looked forward to utilising all the offers of support from past presidents and the entire club whose advice and guidance has brought about what they were witnessing on the day.

    He expressed gratitude to the District 9140 for the leadership orientation for all club presidents for the 2015-2016 rotary year.

    He invoked a spirit of collectivism and giving so that they can work to address those primary challenges within the six areas of focus of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies.

    His words: “It is a difficult task for me alone, but a simple job for us all. As usual, every Rotary year has its theme. For the 2015-2016 we have been challenged to BE A GIFT TO THE WORLD. This is because we started life as a gift to our parents and family; it is now time to extend same to our various communities. I for one, identify with this theme. This identity is borne out of my realisation that giving is not the exclusive right of the rich in materials, but the rich in heart and we can all adopt this nature of giving change to the world.

    “As club president, I will urge you all to come on board with me in giving the three Ts of (Time, Talent and Treasure) of Rotary to the world. It is my benefit that from our giving, we shall restore many disorganised dreams, we shall bring back smiles to frowning faces, we will reduce child mortality rates in our communities, and we will help save our mothers from death in the course of bring joy to our families.”

    Akpan said the club was able to execute some projects, such as an Ebola Virus prevention awareness and literacy project, where sanitary and learning materials were distributed to St Theresa’s Primary School, Mbarakom; St Theresa’s Primary School, Awi (both in Akamkpa Local Government Area) and the Presbyterian Primary School on Tinapa Road.

    Others, he said, included the presentation of items to the motherless babies home in Uwanse; an educational grant of over N100, 000 to a blind undergraduate of the University of Calabar to support his education; hosting a rotary club from another district during the rotary exchange programme among others.

    He said as a club, the challenge to their existence has been membership growth.

    He charged the new president to be courageous as leadership has never been smooth sailing.

    He noted that volunteers (Rotarians) were unlike employees because they are not paid and yet have to contribute their time, talent and resources which is a higher sacrifice.

    “Hence, volunteers should be treated with utmost respect and recognition. I have no doubt that with your pragmatism and humble disposition you will achieve more,” Akpan advised.

    He charged members to give their support to the new president.

     

  • Rotary honours Lagos lawyer

    Lagos lawyer, Wahab Shittu is to be decorated as an Honourary Rotarian and also conferred with the prestigious Merit Award of Vocational Excellence of the Rotary Club of Ilorin.

    Shittu will be decorated as a Rotarian during the installation of the  12th President, Rotarian Shittu Waheed Abiola scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin.

    Rotary Club is conferring the honour on Wahab Shittu  in accordance with Article 7, Section 6, Sub-Section (a) of the Constitution of the Rotary Club International.

    A letter signed by President of the club, Rotarian Shittu Abiolaand titled, “Notification of Conferment of Merit Award” stated, “with due regards, we write to formerly notify you that you have been nominated and selected to receive our prestigious Merit Award of Vocational Excellence scheduled to be conferred on you during the installation of the  12th President, Rotarian Shittu Waheed Abiola.

    “This is as a result of your altruistic and philanthropic service to our great country, Nigeria. Accept our congratulation”.

    The Rotary is an organisation of business and Professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standard in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world in more than 160 countries worldwide.    Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to 30,000 Rotary Clubs.

  • Rotary donates borehole, toilets

    Rotary donates borehole, toilets

    The Rotary Club of Abuja District 9125 has donated a borehole and seven units of ultra-modern water system toilets to the LEA Primary School, TundunMaje.

    The club made the donation during a visit to the institution as part of its 2014/2015 rotary year achievement at the school premises in Abuja.

    Rotary club is an international organisation of different professionals such as engineers, medical doctors, pharmacist among other groups whose passion is to render humanitarian services.

    Rotary District Governor, Tolu Omatsola said, during the donation that the effort was in alignment with the year Water and Sanitation, Disease Prevention and Treatment Resolution for the year.

    Omatsola disclosed that with the facilities, staff of the school, teachers and pupils can live healthier life with the advantage of keeping their hands clean.

    “Students and teachers now have the privilege of easing themselves in the comfort of their school premises. We have donated drugs to hospitals and supported widows.

    “We provided full health insurance for 1, 600 urban poor and indigent persons in Lugbe community, FCT including pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of 5, elders and orphan,” he said.

    The Rotarian added that the projects were solely funded by members of the club in Abuja without government intervention.

    He urged management of the school to take ownership of the two projects and ensure they are adequately put to use.

    President, Rotary District, Abuja, Bar. Ezenwa Anummu commended donors for their supports.

    He urged teachers to intensify their efforts to educating the pupils.

    Earlier, LEA Head Teacher, Mrs. Ugwuanyi Christiana said the club, on 28th May, 2014 had donated 100 pupils’ furniture including a renovated block of two classrooms.

    She commended the Rotary club for supporting the school with additional water and modern toilet facilities.

    “We are here today to praise and glorify rotary club of Abuja for its achievement in the 2013/2014 rotary year, but for its current feat and achievements in the 2014/2015 rotary year. Apart from the sinking of a standard borehole to provide portable drinking for pupils and staff of

    the primary school, it had also constructed a set of seven units of modern water system toilet which is being commissioned today,” she said.

    According to her, Rotary Club which assists any government in power is rare in the country.

    She urged other humanitarian organisations to imbibe the generous gesture.

  • DVC lauds Rotary on donation

    The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), AAUA, Prof Oluyemisi Adebowale, has praised the Rotary Club of Akungba, Ondo State, Nigeria, for donating books to pupils of the university’s staff school. Adebowale, who represented the VC at the event, thanked Rotary for the kind gesture and encouraged other clubs and individuals to follow suit.

    The DVC said: “On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, I appreciate the Rotary Club of Akungba for this initiative and act of charity. The university is appreciative of this. I want to sincerely commend the club and encourage other clubs and individuals to emulate this gesture and reach out to the children and the needy around us.”

    The President of Rotary Akungba, Rotarian Olu Fawehinmi, promised that the club would continue to render support to AAUA from time to time.

    The head teacher of the staff school, Mr. J.O. Ehineni, who collected the 250 exercise books on behalf of the school, promised to use the books judiciously.

  • Rotary endows six undergraduates

    Six brilliant but indigent undergraduates have been endowed with a yearly scholarship of N100, 000, courtesy of the Rotary District 9110 Educational and Welfare Endowment Fund (DEWEF).

    Since inception in 1991, DEWEF has churned out 42 graduates.

    Cheques were presented yesterday at the District office in Ikeja, Lagos.

    “Part of the criteria for selection includes the fact that the students must be brilliant and be in their 200 level in the university. Upon application, a careful rigorous selection process and assessment of their 100 level performances and family background constitute some of the criteria for selection,” said a past district Governor Mr Adeniji Raji.

    Raji said the gesture is to address the humanitarian needs of the society by assisting students in government institutions situated in Lagos and Ogun.

    The District Incoming Governor Otunba Bola Onabadejo said the gesture is a way of investing in the future of the youth and putting smiles on their faces through contributions of its members.

    One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship six years ago, Dr Adeyinka Abdul-Hakeem, who was at the event, hopes to pursue residency training in International Medicine in the United States.

  • Rotary distributes grains

    Rotary Club of Ilorin, GRA,  Kwara State has mounted a road-show campaign to create awareness on its humanitarian profile.

    To drive the point home, the club distributed about 2,000 bags of rice and beans to the needy and less privileged.

    Chartered President of the Club branch and former military administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Col. Theophilus Bamgboye (retd) led the carnival.

    The road show started from GRA to Challenge and proceeded to Post Office, Emir’s palace market, Gambari, Ipata, Maraba, Sango, Fate, Tanke, Gaa Akanbi, Ajasepo Road, Unity Roundabout and Murtala Road.

    At the Emir’s Palace and Gambari, Col. Gbamgboye and members of the club distributed 10kg bags of branded rice and beans.

    By the time the road show convoy got to Ipata, the destitute and able-bodied people were trooping out to collect the largesse.

    Speaking with reporters after the event, Bamgboye said the road show was to create awareness among the people about activities of Rotary Club of Ilorin GRA.

    He said over 2, 000 of the branded 10kg rice and beans were distributed during the road show to people irrespective of their social standing.

    Col Bamgboye said Rotary Club was a humanitarian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to help the needy and less privileged the society.

    Asked to compare his feelings about his participation in the road show as Rotary President and former state governor he said “there is nothing more fulfilling in touching lives in private capacity than official position as military administrator.

    .”You know, as governor of a state, it is statutory to provide social amenities with State resources but with Club like Rotary, you use personal means to better lives of lacking fellow human beings.”

    He said that the road show was to sensitise members of the public about the humanitarian mission and vision of the Rotary club.

    He added that the sensitization was also designed to make well meaning Nigerians participate in Rotary activities designed to uplift the downtrodden.

    Bamgboye said contrary to public perception, Rotary was not a secret society nor its membership restricted to the rich.

    He explained that members of the club meet weekly to make the haves contribute their widow’s mite to the well being of the needy.

    The former military administrator added that Rotary Club was involved in intervention schemes designed to make people self employed and self reliant.

    The President said Ilorin GRA Rotary has been involved in the rehabilitation of dilapidated Isolo-Opin Secondary school in Ekiti local government area of Kwara within the last one year that the club was chartered.

    Also speaking, President of Ilorin Metro, Rotarian Salami Onaolapo said that Rotary was involved in vocational skills acquisition, social rehabilitation of the indigent, education and eradication of killer diseases like Polio.

    Onaolapo said Rotary was always in partnership with government and non-governmental organizations in order to achieve its set objectives.

    He said this accounted for donations to the orphanages and leprosarium as well as training of local fabric weavers in the state.