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Tag: ROTARY

  • Rotary Marks 30

    Rotary Marks 30

    The grand finale of the activities marking the 30th anniversary of Rotary Club of Oregun, Lagos was held last Sunday at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, reports NNEKA NWANERI

    The Rotary Club of Oregun celebrated its 30th anniversary in style. The club was chartered on February 23, 1985.

    The anniversary was celebrated for one week. For each day, there was a special package to deliver in the six areas of focus.

    There was a special Health Day, which the club held in partnership with Mecure Healthcare. Health workers were at Oregun Senior High School to give a career and vocational talks to the students before donating items to the school.

    On Friday, the club in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was at Ojota Park to give safety talks to members of the Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

    The club donated a borehole to Oregun community, and also gave its widow’s mite to Ozanam Home for the destitute.

    At the grand finale  last Sunday at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, the club ensured that guests had fun.

    The event was chaired by former University of Lagos Vice chancellor, Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, who lauded Rotary’s structure and the way members pursue its objectives.

    “Nigeria needs to adopt the 4-way Rotary test from pupils in the primary school to the Presidency”. Obe said.

    The 30th president of the club, Henry Ibhade, was proud of its achievements.

    The first keynote speaker and Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi urged all to ensure that “we always strive to deliver services in all we do”.

    Sunday Vanguard Editor Jide Ajani, highlighted the lapses of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pointing the way forward after the general elections.

    The event became more interesting when the Sasore of Ilesa and pioneer president of Rotary Club of Oregun Chief Tunde Aluko was installed doyen of the club by the District Governor, Dr Dele Balogun. Aluko was president during the 86/87 year. Many past presidents of the club at the event were invited to the podium for a group photograph after their were induction into the council of past presidents.

    Members later came forward to cut their blue and white two-layered cake.

    Chairman, 30th Anniversary Committee,  and the club’s President for 2012-13 Mr Arinze Okamelu, was grateful to members and guests for the success of the ceremony. He said it almost seemed an impossible task, but like a sweet dream, the celebration went seamlessly.

    Those at the event were former Minister of Works Adeseye Ogunlewe; Senator Anthony Adefuye and Dr Michael Olawale-Cole.

  • Rotary offers loans to SMEs

    Rotary offers loans to SMEs

    Rotary Club, Akowonjo District in Lagos says it will continue to grant non-interest loans to small scale businessmen and women within and outside the district.

    Speaking during the celebration of its 29th Anniversary, the association’s President, Mr Babatunde Alimi, said the club would not relent in its support for youths, adding that the club’s effort is to support governments’ youths’ empowerment programmes.

    He said this became imperative because this was the strategic role played by the club to enhance the masses’standard of living.

    He said polio eradication, enhanced literacy level and provision of sessions between the club and masses would continue to rank as priority in the club’s effort towards discharging its responsibility.

    Alimi said: “Rotary Club of Akowonjo being one of the Rotary’s numerous chapters in its almost 600 districts across the world was established 29 years ago.

    “We have championed the building of the Akowonjo/Dopemu bridge, construction of drainages a in Karimu Laka Street, constructed several boreholes in the environs, granted non-interest yielding refundable loans to small scale businessmen and women, and just last year we donated 10-room toilet facility worth N5 million to teachers and pupils in the environ.’’

    He added: “Recently, we donated medical consumables and drugs worth N5 million to Alimosho General Hospital Igando.

    “We will not relents in our efforts to supports the government and the people.‘’

  • Rotary sets up accident victim trust Funds in Rivers

    The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, District 9140 says it has set up an accident Trust Fund to help road accident victims get prompt attention when rushed to hospital.

    The district President, Frank Eni disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday to kick-off programme to mark 50 years of the club in Port Harcourt.

    Eni said the Fund which was a joint programme with members of the state Road Transport Workers Union and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where the programme is running is meant to reduce the number of deaths by road accident in the state.

    He said the club also provided some essential needs for those in admission in the hospital, especially at the hospital’s emergency ward.

    The President said the programme has helped in the survival of many accident  victims in the state since it began several years ago; also said, it is one of the numerous humanitarian programmes the club undertakes in its efforts to assist humanity.

    “The programme was a response to the frequent deaths of accident victims in the hospital because of lack of emergence drugs and materials.

    “We have also donated oxygen masks and incubators to Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) to provide life support for children born underweight.

    “To address the issue of infant mortality, the club procured Bilirubinmeter for Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH). Bilirubinmeter measures the bilirin, one of the causes of infant mortality in children.

    “To also address the difficulties associated with the treatment of ear, nose and throat ailments, the club donated Adenotensiloctomy set to the ENT department”.

    “In furtherance of its drive in health awareness campaigns, Eni stressed that the club has also intensified public awareness on the causes of “breast cancer; cervical cancer; prostate cancer; diabetes; sickle cell anaemia and maternal health.” Among others

    He also enumerated the various efforts of the club in partnership with the governments to ensure Polio Myelitis is completely eradicated in Nigeria.

    “Our members have on a number of occasions joined the medical team of the state government to visit rural areas to immunise children against polio as well as sensitise the populace on the need to get our children immunised”.

    The district governor, His Royal Magesty, HRM, Noble Eshemitan, enjoined members to strive to give their very best to the growth and development of the club in the state.

    He admitted that the inability of the club to openly canvass for membership was a major challenge because the norm in rotary is for members to bring/invite persons to join and not for a prospective member applying for admission personally.

    According to him, the obvious  laziness of existing members is responsible for the slow growth of the club.

     

  • VC gets Rotary award

    For improving quality of education and facilities, the Rotary Club of Nigeria has honoured the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali.

    Presenting the award, the District 9125 Representative, Phillip Ojo, said Prof Ambali was shortlisted for the award because of his leadership qualities, which, he said, should be emulated by members of the university.

    Ojo said: “The Rotary District 9125 has today recognised the efforts of our amiable leader par excellence, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, for his giant strides in the university and for being a mentor to our generation. He is a leader worthy of emulation. His uprightness, intellectualism and brilliance in administration and academics were qualities that make him stand out of many.”

    A successful leader, Ojo said, builds successful leaders, who will continue the chain of success in leadership. He said Ambali was a rare gem, having achieved uncommon feat within the university and the outside world.

    Responding, Prof Ambali appreciated the club for finding him worthy of the honour, describing the award as encouragement to do more. He said the club remained on of dependable partners of the school.

    Members of the club present at the ceremony included the District Secretary, Mr Michael Oyewole, Zonal Secretary, Miss Itunnuoluwa Oshinmosu, and Miss Tolulope Akinwunmi, a zonal governor.

    The District 9125 is said to be the largest, comprising 24 states, including the FCT; it has over 190 clubs and 6,000 membership strength.

  • Rotary to strengthen family values

    Arrangements have been concluded to flag off this year’s edition of Family Week of the Rotary District 9110. It will hold from December 9 to15 at the Lekki-African Beach Resort.

    The Rotary Family Day was set up to celebrate Rotarian families and their spouses and also to reward and celebrate its dead members, in a bid to develop good rapport with outsiders; increase membership and build family bonds.

    The event will feature activities such as visit to the orphanage homes and other less-privileged people.

    In a chat with the Chairman of the Family Week programme, Mrs Omotunde Lawson, she gave a rundown of activities of the event and the reasons the group set aside a day for its families.

    “During that weekend, we will form a formidable team and increase our family bonds.

    “We will make donations to the motherless babies’ home and have a party with the less-privileged, after which we will head out to the resort for a novelty match between our parents. The event will climax with a dinner on that Friday.

    “It promises to be fun-filled with indoor and outdoor games, a family luncheon on Saturday and an award ceremony where there will be a raffle draw.

    “Items to be won include two airline tickets; gifts ranging from DSTV, a weekend getaway for couples at Golden Tulip Hotel FESTAC Town and a treat at fitness centres.”

  • Lagos school wins Rotary quiz

    Omole Junior Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos has emerged winner of the maiden Rotary Club of Omole Golden Quiz competition.

    The school represented by JSS 3 pupils, Master Oluwole Moses and Miss Vivian Emefiele, beat their counterparts from Oke-Ira Junior Grammar School and Ajuwon Junior High School to clinch the coveted prize.

    The competition, held at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos, was organised by the club to commemorate the World Polio Day.

    The winners were presented with a trophy and a ticket to attend a leadership summit slated for next month in Apapa, Lagos.

    President of the club, Chris Alabi spoke of the event.

    He said: “Basically, today is World Rotary Polio Day and we have been celebrating the day for about 30 years now. We decided to organise the competition to create awareness and sensitise young people on how to prevent or curb the spread of the disease in our society. We believe that young people are change agents and they will definitely tell their parents about how to prevent the disease and government’s effort at encouraging immunisation of children.

    “The winners will have the opportunity to participate in a leadership programme slated for November 29-December 6 at Sea School, Apapa,Lagos. However, next Saturday, we would embark on a walk at Idi Oro, Mushin, to further create awareness about polio. “

    One of the winners, Moses said:“I feel great and elated that we won and for making our teachers proud. The impact of their teaching has not been in vain. However, I pass the message of hope to my mates and encourage them to tell their parents about embracing immunisation programme to curb polio.”

    A Basic Science teacher, Mrs. Toyin Faboya, who led the winning team, also said: “I am very excited that we are not only tackling polio in our society, but eradicating it gradually. I want to thank members of the club for organising this event to educate young people on the devastating effect of polio and its prevention.”

  • Rotary’s 1000 limbs for the disabled

    Rotary’s 1000 limbs for the disabled

    The President, Rotary Club of Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos State, Dr. Christopher Anyakorah, has sought the support of well-meaning Nigerians for the less-privileged.

    He made the call during his inauguration at the Le Real Hotel, Ajah, assuring that the club would give 1000 artificial limbs to disabled persons across the country.

    Anyakorah said the club was making its little contributions towards enhancing the wellbeing of the less-privileged in the society.

    He maintained that it is the tradition of Rotary Club to improve the lot of the people within its areas of operation, stressing that it had impacted positively in the lives of residents of VGC and Ajah through several projects.

    He explained that the donation of artificial limbs to disabled across the country was informed by the need to look beyond Ajah for such people, explaining: “There is will be no tribal, educational or social barrier. We just want to extend our kind heart to fellow human beings who have been constrained by their inability to freely move about and fulfil God’s purposes in their lives.”

    The Rotarian said that one of his major assignments when he took over the mantle to lead the club was a visit to the Arrow of God Orphanage, where bags of food items, toiletries, clothes and learning materials were donated.

    He said the club paid its electricity bill of N250,000 and promised to support the home in other areas of urgent needs.

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians, particularly those who have more than enough to eat, to remember these people who can barely afford basic needs for survival. We were actively involved in educating VGC residents about the dreaded Ebola Virus; we are also considering the establishment of a vocational school in Lekki Peninsula; this will include a residential, multi-faceted volunteer-based institution to handle mechanics, tailoring, cooking and carpentry,” he said.

    Anyakorah assured that the club would continue to cater for the educational needs of the schools it has adopted, stressing that his administration would supply free drugs to hospitals and clinics in the interest of Nigerians who cannot afford costs of medical treatments.

  • Rotary endows undergraduates with scholarship

    Rotary endows undergraduates with scholarship

    The Rotary Club of Nigeria, (District 9110) has presented cheques for scholarship to 16 brilliant but indigent students studying in Nigerian universities in Lagos and Ogun states being its catchment areas.

    The District Educational and Welfare Endowment Fund (DEWEF), has been on since 1999.

    At a briefing by the District Governor, Dr Dele Balogun, and other members of the Board of Trustees, the scholarship scheme comprises 16 students from across various tertiary institutions who are in their 200-Level but are having financial challenges in paying their tuition.

    Balogun said Rotary check their competences in their first year in schools through their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). He said the scholarship will run till the end of their studies irrespective of their programmes.

    “We feel nothing should affect the academics of these young stars. So we got presidents of the 83 clubs to bring them forward from their catchment areas.

    “Many of them have come out tops in their programmes. Although many who have come forth are brilliant but not indigent, it is a measure taken so we do not derail from the essence of the project,” Chairman of the scholarship commission, Prof Femi Oludimu said.He said more than a million naira was spent on the project, adding that the remaining funds is being used as immediate response funds in the event of emergency.

     Posters have already being circulated around university premises and forms for the next batch which will close on January 16, next year, said a member of the trustees, Prof Alaba Akinseye.

  • Rotary settles bills of four patients

    Rotary settles bills of four patients

    RELIEF came the way of four nursing mothers who were indebted to a hospital in Festac Town, Lagos, when Rotary Club of Festac Town, paid their medical bills. The mothers were detained by the hospital for their inability to pay after deliveries at the Maternal and Child Centre, Festac Town.

    The  women were spotted by the Rotarians during a tour of the wards.  Many of them sat helplessly, having being detained for two weeks or more after delivery, a gesture which costed the club N120,000.

    The club also presented items for the centre. Items such as 50 bedsheets, 50 mosquito nets and 7 baby cribs were among other things. The women accepted the gestures with joy and wild jubilations in their wards. It came as a surprise to many of them. Others just wondered in bewilderment.

    The Maternal and Child centre  monthly delivers an average of 110 babies, said the Chief Matron, Mrs .Gbemisola Moradeyo, who led in the tour.

    President of the Rotary Club of Festac, Gabriel Onyema, said the club’s mission is to aleviate the problems and suffering of the people. He gave the cost of the donated items to be 985 thousand naira. This, he said was made possible by its individual members donation, together with well meaning people and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), which provided them with 2000 nets which will be distributed to women and children.

    He wondered why residents dont patronise the outfit, which he descibed as one with state of the art facilities. The president also noted that the Rotary is partnering with government to make life better for the people.

    “The scenery here is a happy one with lots of decorum. People are ignorant of the facilities I see , so I wonder why they wouldnt come for their deliveries here.”

    The high point of the visit was the presentation of a three minutes old baby, who the club members showered with gifts, money and prayers.

    Medical Director of the centre, Dr Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, said the gesture is a welcome development and called on others to emulate the club in its humanitarian works.

    The visit, the MD noted, is not only about the material and financial benefits, but goes a long way in giving the patients psychological and moral support.

    He boasted of the centre having the best facilities for pregnant and sick children, which will go a long way in reducing maternity and child mortality.

  • Rotary donates ICT centre to school

    To engender skills acquisition in Information Communication Technology (ICT), the Rotary Club of Omole Golden, has donated a fully equipped ICT laboratory centre to Oke-Ira Senior Secondary School in Ogba, Lagos.

    The inuaguration of the project was performed by the Deputy Director of Basic Studies in the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Abiodun Oni, who represented the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye.

    Oni said: “I want to thank members of this great club not only for the gesture, but for being good partners in the development of education in Lagos State. I also want to urge the school management not to disallow pupils from making use of the facilities provided, but ensure it is put to good use.”

    The President of the club, Mr. Chris Alabi, explained that Rotary would sustain the facility for one year before handing it over to the state for further maintenance.

    “We have spent part of our limited resources to set up this facility and we believe that it will be put to proper use in empowering pupils and teachers with ICT skills. In addition, we will maintain the center for one year including the internet facility after which it would be handed over to the Lagos State Ministry of Education for its further sustenance,” he said.

    Earlier, an induction exercise for new members of the club was performed by the District Governor of Rotary (District 9110), Dr. Dele Balogun, who lauded members of the club for donating the centre.  Balogun urged new members to imbibe the four-way test of Rotary Club in the development of the larger society.

    The high point of the event was formal presentation of certificates to some teachers in the state public schools recently sponsored on a training programme by the club.  Other members were also honoured with awards for their financial assistance to the club in carrying out some of its charity projects.

    The chairman of the Parents’ Forum, Prince Adebola Adeniji-Adele, promised to “work in concert with the authorities of the school to protect the facility and ensure proper utilisation of equipment towards promotion of skills and pupils’ development.”