The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ROTARY

  • Rotary plans free surgery for polio patients

    Rotary plans free surgery for polio patients

    IN order to encourage more people to take the polio vaccine, Foundation of Rotary International, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, has disclosed plans to organise 400 free corrective surgeries for people grappling with the disease.

    Beneficiaries drawn from different parts of the country will be conveyed to Abuja for the surgeries at the University of Abuja Specialist Hospital, Gwagwalada.

    The exercise will commence at 10:00 a.m. on December 3, 2012.

    According to the District Chair, Public Relations, Rotary District 9125, Sarah Sanda, a team of 26 doctors and volunteers will arrive at the capital territory on December 2, 2012 for a 10-day medical mission to perform minimum of 400 polio corrective surgeries.

    The team of Rotarian doctors includes 12 Ortho- surgeons, five anaesthesiologists, one pathologist, one general surgeon, and seven non-medical volunteers from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Himachal, Haryana, Maharashtra, Kerala and Uttrakhand.

    Sanda also said that the doctors and volunteers from India would be assisted by Rotarians as well as Nigerian doctors, including other health personnel in the country.

    The project is aimed at gaining the confidence of local communities and to convince them to accept the oral polio vaccine as a step towards eradicating polio in Nigeria.

    She added that visiting Rotarian doctors will also train local orthopaedic surgeons to be able to do the corrective polio surgeries.

    In addition to the project, she disclosed that the visiting Rotarian doctors would train local orthopaedic surgeons in order to conduct the corrective polio surgeries.

    “In India, over 3,500 of such surgeries have been performed in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar while 18 of such projects have been successfully carried out in 18 African countries.

    “To complement the polio corrective surgeries, mobility devices such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, canes and surgical recovery blankets would be provided.

  • Rotary hails vocational centre

    Rotary hails vocational centre

    The effort of the Rotary Club of Akute, Ogun State, in providing young people with skills and helping them to be economically independent has not gone unnoticed.

    The District Governor of the club, Kamoru Omotosho, who visited, spoke highly of the operators of the club’s vocational centre, urging them to move on continue the good work.

    The coordinator of the Rotary Club of Akute’s Vocational Center, Esther Lawal said: ‘’On behalf of my students at Vocational Centre here, we are saying a big thank you to you, to the Rotary Club of Akute. My students have been so wonderful in everything we have been teaching them. We started by November last year and we enrolled 15 students.

    “Out of those 15 students, by the grace of God, I have 10 to graduate and by the grace of God (with) the 10 we are able to sew (and) dye you this clothe and also bake you a beautiful cake. Also in our Catering Department we did little small chops for you to take home and taste how far we’ve been going.’’

    Reacting to the situation at the center and the products before him, the District Governor said: ‘’But one thing I just want to say is let this just be the beginning, the beginning of good things to come not only for you but for the Rotarians too.

    “When I look at the simple instruments with which you used to make this beautiful outfit I feel deeply touched and I feel so proud of you.

    The centre also takes has an adult literacy centerpresided over by OsoAbimbolaand from where graduates also emerged. Speaking to the graduates Kamoru said: ‘’Sometimes ago I know they may not be able to read and to write, now with their certificates, I may not have inspected their books (but), I know they can now read and write.’’

    Of the Akute Rotary Club members he said: ‘’When they started this programme I don’t think they anticipated it was going to come out fruitfully like this. But when they see what they have done there’s nobody who won’t feel proud of Rotary Club of Akute to please good round of applause.’’

    Charging the Akute club, he said: “No matter what impression you gave us today, I will still be waiting that Akute is just beginning. In another few years time we should be able to say Akute, one of the top ones in the District. Potential is nothing if there is no action. With what simple statement you have made today, I feel greatly impressed and hope you won’t just stop at that.’’

    On his part, the chief host, the Rotary Club of Akute, Showunmi Michael Adesina thanked the Governor for his visit, adding that the club will take earnest heed to his advises.

    He said: “We want to appreciate your coming sir and we have noted all your points as regards Vocational Center. I know you are not the one that will be coming as DG next year (but) I’m sure you might be interested to come and see what this place has transformed to next year. And we promise we’ll continue raising this place. And as you rightly advised us, we will take them to West African Fair Project as well.

    The team on leaving the centre went to the Light of Hope Orphanage, also in Akute, where they donated some cartons of noodles to that institution.

    Responding to their visit to the orphanage, the proprietor, Pastor Omotayo Samuel Atunde said: “It’s a mark of good omen. We have enjoyed so much of their support in the past and we do know that more and more of such will come.’’

    Earlier in the day, the entourage visited the palace of the Baale of Arifanla in Akute, Adeboye Adekunle with whom they inspected the community health centre being built by the club but which is yet to be completed.

     

  • Flood: Rotary Club to complement FG’s efforts

    Flood: Rotary Club to complement FG’s efforts

    The Rotary Club International will today meet to discuss the recent flood incident that has ravaged some states in the country.

    A Past District Governor (PDG) of the club, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, disclosed this at the ongoing project fair organised by the club, which was geared towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged people in Africa.

    At the fair, which is the 8TH edition, Adeluyi disclosed that members of the club would extensively discuss the flood issue with its international partners and come up with initiatives to complement the efforts of government towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

    Four districts of the Rotary Club International (RCI) in Africa are hosting members of the club from various countries in the ongoing West Africa Project Fair (WAFP) being held in Lagos.

    Also speaking yesterday during a press conference with the theme: Peace Through Service by the organising committee chaired by the Past District Governor (PDG) Deinde Shoga, he said the club would have the opportunity to showcase its various developmental projects to its international partners who were in Nigeria for the event.

    Other members of the club present at the press conference included the Senator representing Lagos West senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Ganiyu Solomon.

    Soaga said the aim of the projects was to address the needs of communities in West Africa through six areas of focus of the club, which included maternal and child health, education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, economic and community development, peace and conflict resolution.

    The four districts of the Rotary Club that organised the project fair were Districts 9100, 9110, 9125 and 9140.

     

  • Rotary sensitises residents on water

    Rotary sensitises residents on water

    Members of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rotary International District 9140, Nigeria, have staged road walk in Port Harcourt to create awareness on water situation in the state.

    Tagged “Global Run 4 Water,” the match, which started from CFC bus stop, close to the Catholic Church Cathedral, Kaduna Street on Aba Road, ended at the take-off point. They matched through Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, to the Waterlines Roundabout Junction.

    Members who participated were Rotractors (student members) who wore white T-shirts with the club’s logo and that of the Walk upon a pair of black trousers and canvas, chanted solidarity songs. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria police, a mobile medical bus and a nurse provided accompanied them while the walk lasted.

    Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, the coordinator of the walk, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgiana Ngeri-Nwangha, said the exercise aimed at creating awareness on lack of potable water in some parts of the state, and also to raise funds to provide water in the communities where water is lacking.

    According to Mrs. Ngeri-Nwagha, the walk is observed simultaneously by rotary members across the world between September 29 and 30 every year to raise consciousness on water need of the people.

    “Global run for water is an event that is simultaneously undertaken by rotary clubs in various parts of the world; and it must be undertaken either September 29 or 30.

    “The essence is to create awareness on the fact that there are still people in both urban and rural areas in this 21st Century who do not have access to potable water and who need to be assisted to have water,” she said.

    She noted that the club has, at various times, provided water to rural communities, schools and markets in the state and, even as she added that funds for the projects are raised from corporate bodies, friends of the club, international sister club/ parent clubs as well as members.

    Contribution, President-elect of the club, Mr. Chidi Ikeji appealed for partnership from governments and government parastatals to enable them to realise their dream of providing this essential commodity to members of the public.

    Meanwhile, at Ogbema, Abua in Abua /Odual Local Government Area, the club expressed concern over polio disease that is still ravaging some parts of the country.

    It regretted that the disease is still rampant in Nigeria when it has been totally eradicated in most countries of the world.

    Speaking through its District President, Dr. Henry Sota at a five-day free medical mission by Lulu-Briggs Foundation at Ogbema Community, the club appealed for the support of every citizen in the country for meaningful results to be achieved.

    Dr. Sota, who recalled that rotary clubs worldwide have championed the fight against polio since 1985, hinted that Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries of the world that are yet to eradicate the disease.

    On their partnership with Lulu-Briggs Foundation on the free medical exercise, he said: “Rotary Club is here to render support to the foundation in form of service delivery.

    “This is because we realised that what the foundation is doing is in line with the vision of selfless service of our club. The foundation, he said, funded the outreach.”

  • Rotary award for lawmaker

    Rotary award for lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency at the National Assembly, Deji Jakande, son of former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, has been honoured by the Rotaract Club of Maryland, Lagos.

    The club gave him an award for his leadership qualities and philanthropy, some of which include providing a free school bus, free GCE forms for over 1000 candidates and sinking boreholes for his people, among others.

    Commending the Club, Deji said the recognition was another feather in his cap, promising to give more to his people.

    He said: “This award has buoyed my spirit to do more. I did not expect this and I’m never the type who will orchestrate an award for himself or induce an organisation to present an award to me.

    “I was shocked when the organisers notified me. And being an international body that does not compromise standards, I feel truly honoured to have been counted among the few lucky recipients of the award.”

    The award was held at the Rotary Centre Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

    The lawmaker also spoke about his father’s principles.

    He said: “In 1991 under the zero party I contested as a councillor in Somolu Local Government. I won the election but my father had another candidate. In fact, he threatened to disown me because he wanted me to back down.

    “The interesting thing in that episode was that I went to the grassroots level. I told Dad that I was contesting courtesy of my friends who contributed money and I couldn’t just step down like that,” he said.

    Deji, however, believes his father is an institution which he cannot compare himself with as a son.

    “It’s quite challenging being Jakande’s son. His shoes are too big for me to step into. Even as a young boy, when he was governor, I used to follow him about. Today, I still see him often and take advice from him, likewise my people in Somolu,” Deji added.

    Deji also owes his achievements to the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on whose platform he won election as a lawmaker.

    He said the intimidating profiles of both is father and that of Asiwaju have placed enormous challenges on him to represent his constituency well in the House, live an exemplary life and never fail the ACN.

    He urged Nigerians, especially youths to lend their voices against corrupt and bad governance, and speak up against societal ills.

    “This is the only way we can regain our freedom,” Deji stressed.

  • Rotary donates incubator

    •The cenotaph inaugurated

    Rotary Culb of Oke-Afa, District 9110 has donated an incubator to the Pediatric Department of Isolo General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos.The club also inaugurated a new cenotaph at Isolo-Pako roundabout.

    It was a happy moment for the president of the club, Rotarian Chiejina Chinedu as he and his members expressed joy at the success of the event.

    “There is always a need to affect the lives of most especially children who are sick. Children are our future and there is the need to lift them. This makes the club to donate the incubator to the hospital,” he said.

    The president and his members were happy to host the Distric Governor, Mr Kamoru Omotosho and his entourage,saying: “We have a focus and a goal for the community which must be fulfilled”.

    He said he had interacted with other Rotarians, most especially those in Oke-Afa to support the less-privileged within the community. “This is a club that cares for the needy and the public is encouraged to join us,”he said.

    The medical director of the hospital , Dr. R. O. Aromire, thanked the club, the district governor and members for donating the equipment. He promised to always keep the tool in good shape.

    The district governor advised the club and their friends to focus on their goal. “Oke-Afa club is among one of the smallest groups in rotary and they are seeing the impact to the public, most especially the old and new cenotaph at Isolo-Pako roundabout.
    He urged the club to change their way of doing things and strategise more to attract more public participation