The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ROTARY

  • Rotary president hails Buhari, says I see great things happening in Nigeria

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been described as a good man who is passionate about the development of Nigeria and the progress of Nigerians. The President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin, who was accompanied by his wife, Esther, yesterday at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in an interactive session with reporters, as part of activities lined up for his maiden visit to the Niger Delta state, also stated that he could see great things happening in Nigeria.

    The interactive session was also attended by the Director of Rotary International, Yinka Babalola, who was also accompanied by his wife; the Governor of Rotary Club’s District 9141, consisting of Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta states, Adeyemi Oladokun; the Chairman of National Polio Plus, Dr. Tunji Funsho; President of one of the Rotary Clubs in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); and the incoming Governor of District 9141, Virginia Major; among other eminent personalities.

    Rassin also attended the graduation of one month vocational training for 337 persons, especially the youths of various communities in Rivers State, an initiative of Rotary Club of Trans-Amadi, which took place at Rumueprikom- Port Harcourt Civic Centre in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and was attended by the paramount ruler of Rumueprikom Kingdom, Eze Amehule Barry Opara-Owabie. The paramount ruler and his chiefs, inside Rumuepirikom Civic Centre, also decorated as chiefs, the president of Rotary International, his wife and Babalola.

  • Rotary immunises 107 kids against polio in Enugu

    The Rotary International has continued its fight against polio virus by immunising 107 children between age zero and five years against polio virus at New Haven Primary School, Enugu.

    The international humanitarian organization also erected two ‘End Polio Now’ billboards at Otigba junction as well as at Government Technical College gate, opposite shoprite in Abakaliki Road, all within Enugu.

    Unveiling the billboards on in Enugu, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9142 Governor, Dr Dan Ajawara, said that the activities carried out by Rotary International was to mark the 2018 World Polio Day.

    Ajawara also traced the history of global polio eradication efforts to a polio immunization programme organized by Rotarians in Philippines in 1979, which had about six million children immunized against polio virus.

    “Rotary eventually went into partnership with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, USA Center for Disease Control and governments of various countries towards eradicating polio virus globally,” he said.

    The governor informed Rotarians that the job is 99.9% done, with only three countries still being endemic to the disease; adding that these countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

    “The last case of Polio was recorded in Nigeria in Borno State on August 21, 2016; If no new Polio case is recorded in Nigeria within the next 10 months, then Nigeria will be taken off the Polio endemic countries list,” he noted.

    Chairman, Rotary International District 9142 PolioPlus Committee, Dr Eddy Ndibuagu charged Rotarians to always be focused and play active roles in the global four strategic approaches towards eradicating polio from our world.

    “These approaches are Routine Immunization, Supplemental Immunisation, Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance and Mop-up activities.

    “However, I have great joy that Rotarians in the seven states that make up District 9142 (Enugu, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, and Imo States) are indeed highly committed to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative,” Ndibuagu noted.

    In a goodwill message, World Health Organization (WHO) Enugu State Co-ordinator, Dr Ada Erinne noted that WHO had worked very hard with Rotary International since 1988 when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative commenced.

    Erinne said that WHO would continue to partner with Rotary International until the disease is eradicated from the face of the earth.

    In another goodwill message, Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Dr Fintan Ekochin, encouraged Rotarians to keep working harder towards the eradication of Polio in Nigeria and globally until the disease would be no more found in any part of the world.

    Ekochin, however, flagged off the distribution of gift items activities put in place by the 15 Rotary clubs in Enugu State.

    The Enugu State PolioPlus Representative, Dr Obinna Anikwe, reminded Rotary clubs in Enugu State of their adopted Local Government Areas for polio immunization.

    Anikwe also urged them to participate actively in the ongoing Maternal Newborn and Child health Week (MNCHW) in the state; while ensuring impressive immunization coverage in those council areas.

     

     

  • Rotary kicks off Family Health days

    Rotary International (RI) yesterday kicked off its yearly family Health Days. The three-day event will end tomorrow.

    According to the Programme’s West Africa Director Dr Olugbenga Olowu, the event is aimed at boosting the people’s welfare by knowing their health status. He said Rotary is targeting 700,000 people nationwide and 1.5million people in the sub-region, adding that 40 main entries had been created in Lagos alone for ease of accessibility.

    RI District 9110 Governor (DG)-elect Bola Oyebade said for the first time the programme would cover internally displaced persons in Lagos and Ogun states, beside those in those in the North, distribute sanitary pads and screen for mental disorders. This is in addition to the screening for blood sugar level, malaria and hepatitis, among others, and offering of free drugs to participants.

    The DG Kola Sodipo said all Rotary districts in the country would be involved in the exercise now its fifth edition. Noting that prevention is better than cure, the pharmacist urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity being provided by Rotary. He thanked the Rotary’s partners, especially the Federal Ministry of Health, for their support.

  • Rotary honours its district president

    The Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama District 9125 has honoured Rotarian Winifred Ogbebo as the 7th President, Rotary Club of Abuja.

    Miss Ogbebo, a management staff of Abuja-based Leadership newspaper, joined the club when the offer came, seeing it as an opportunity to reach out more to the less privileged in the society.

    To her, it is a passion to be among great minds in rendering service to the nation. Nothing, she says, gives her peace like seeing some other person happy and satisfied.

    As an undergraduate, she was a radio presenter in the Edo State Broadcasting Service (EBS), and worked during her youth service with the Rivers State Radio Service.

    Ogbebo said being a Rotarian moulded her life completely, especially about philanthropy.

    “It fills you with peace knowing that someone out there has the pleasure of living because of you,” she said. ”I joined Rotary more than seven years ago. It is a humanitarian organisation that one can key into to access the world. You don’t need to have millions of naira to help people. Rotary is about different professionals coming together to give their time, talent and treasure.

    “We call it the three Ts. Time, Talent and Treasure just to impact lives. It is non-religious, non-political. It is for people willing to assist humanity. As a Rotarian you should dedicate your time to assisting humanity. We work to ensure peace in the society.”

    Outgoing President, Victoria Nkem Orakwe said she mounted the realm of leadership as the President of Rotary Club Abuja Maitama on July 1, 2017 with so much zeal, willingness and expectation.  Orakwe encouraged the incoming president to work as a team with others.

    Working as a team, she says, was really helpful during her tenure as the President.

    Orakwe said, “It was indeed a very busy and taxing Rotary year as the club engaged in all rotary six areas of focus namely, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and treatment, children and maternity health care, economic and community development and peace and conflict prevention and resolution.

    “Rotary Club Abuja Maitama won five awards from the district governor as a result of the club’s outstanding performance during the 2017/2018 Rotary year. This is a new rotary year and I urge every club member to join our President Rotarian Winny Ogbebo to be the inspiration to our society through Rotary so as to retain and sustain this epic of success which the club has attained.”

    Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe urged  Nigerians to imbibe the Rotarian way of life by assisting humanity and living in peace with all,

    He noted that the Rotary four way test of  is it true, is it fair to all concerned, will it build good will and better friendship and will it be beneficial to all concerned should be all Nigerians watchword.

    “This can apply to relationship with others in the home, office and our business environs. The Rotarians are truly peace ambassadors in the society. Two months ago Rotarians treated 1.2 million people in Afghanistan free of charge. They are completely committed to clean water and provide amenities for the society where ever they find themselves. No one has come to this world with anything and they are not taking anything back. The time to stop celebrating mediocrity is over. With Rotary peace will return fully and there will be love amongst us worth celebrating,” Runsewe said.

  • Rotary lifts college

    Rotary Club Gbagada South has renovated and stocked the library of Muslim Senior College in Oworonshoki, Lagos.

    Speaking at the unveiling, the club’s President, Sanni Biliani, said the project was the fulfilment of a request by  the  institution’s Interact Club and Rotaract Club of Gbagada South to his predecessor.

    He said the renovation was done in two weeks, adding that library was stocked with text books, reference books, and biographies, among others.

    The Project’s sub-chairperson Mrs Eunice Idowu stated that the project, which cost N350,000, started on September 3, was completed on September 19, adding the cash for the execution came from Rotarians.

    Rotary International District 9110 Governor Kola Sodipo described the project as small but effective. He noted that reading culture was dying among pupils, urging pupils of Muslim Senior College to use the library. He warned them against tearing parts of or stealing the library books so that others could also use them. ”Learning is endless. I still read. These books are not to be taken away. Read and leave them there. Don’t tear them,” he said. He advised the school authorities to appoint a librarian for the school. He granted a request by the Principal of Muslim Junior College Adebisi Adegbuyi to provide them a library.

    Principal of Muslim College Williams Bamidele thanked Rotary for the gesture. He noted that Rotary had been leading other non-governmental organisation (NGOs) in humanitarian service provision. ”There are other clubs but not like Rotary which activities touch lives,” he said.

    Also, the Bashorun of Oworonshoki Chief Jelil Lawal,  thanked Rotary for the project. He recalled other projects that the club executed at the community’s primary school complex. He sought the club’s assistance for the provision of more schools in the area, promising that it would provide the land.

     

  • Rotary donates N1m furniture to FCT school

    The Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama District, has furnished the library of Government Junior Secondary School, Dutsen Alhaji, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The humanitarian club said the gesture was part of activities to celebrate its education and literacy month in September by giving back to the society policy.

    District Governor of the club, Mr. Elvis Chukwu, stated that such gesture will be extended to other schools across the FCT.

    He said: “Clubs are carrying out projects like this in all their communities. Some are building schools, donating books, desks and all education projects.

    “I can assure you that it is not only here in Dutsen Alhaji. I have been commissioning projects since I came to Abuja.”

    He charged the school to take charge of the project and ensure its proper maintenance.

    President of the club, Miss Winifred Ogbebo, said that the gesture will help increase the reading culture in the school.

    According to her, the country has a low reading culture which needed to be improved upon.

    She said this is one of many other projects that the club has embarked on, adding that more humanitarian projects will be commissioned soon.

    “We have decided to intervene in this area by providing them with furniture for their library so that they can boost their reading culture.

    “The reading culture of Nigeria is very low and it is going down by the day. We had to do something to boost their reading culture and at the same time enhance education in this area,” she stated.

  • Rotary promises better life for Lagos community

    The newly inaugurated President of Rotary Club of Egbe, Mr. Nwoji Kenneth has promised to make life better for members of the community under his jurisdiction. He said the club would not deviate from its selfless service to the people.

    Addressing members of the club at Rotary House, Ikeja, Lagos, he said attention would be given to the eradication of diseases, provision of education to the less-privileged and empowerment.

    He added that the club had been impacting on the lives of the ordinary people, noting that people with extreme cases of poverty and diseases had received succour from the club. Kenneth further explained that if the privileged few in the society were conscious of their humanitarian  services to the public, the country would be better than what it is currently.

    He said: “Over the years, we have executed projects with great impact on the people. Rotary has touched the lives of many in the areas of health, sanitation, disease prevention, education and conflict resolution.

    “We will be renovating eight blocks of toilet buildings at Ore-Ofe Primary School, Liasu Road, Egbe. We will donate hospital equipment, drugs and treated mosquito nets to Ikotun Health Centre.

    “The club will also provide chairs, desks to the Community Primary School located at Hostel bus stop, Egbe. Soft loans will be made available to widows who are petty traders and artisans.”

    He urged well-meaning Nigerians to support the laudable efforts of Rotary Club, stressing that the task of making the country better was enormous.

    “Let me use this medium to invite our guest to join Rotary. I am proud to inform the public that we have inducted eight new members into the Rotary Club this year.

    “The tasks ahead are enormous but with your support we will improve the living conditions of innocent children who do not have a choice on the class of society they are born into. I also urge all Rotarians to put emphasis on service to humanity,” he said.

  • Rotary renovates LASPOTECH facilities

    Rotary club of Isolo has renovated the male and female toilets, fixed mosquito nets in the student’s clinic and donated medical equipment’s to the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Isolo Campus.

    According to the Club’s President, Adedayo Dauda, the club also empowered some of the community members by donating grinding machines, generating set, hairdressing equipment and wheel chair to disable person. He added that the club also embarked on free eye screening, noting that glasses were given to those who needed it.

    Dauda said the projects were part of the activities to mark the visit of the District Governor of Rotary International District 9110 Nigeria, Kola Sodipo to the cub.

    Dauda said it is the plan of the club to carry out impactful projects that would add value to the lives of the people in Isolo community, adding that the projects are in line with the six areas of focus of Rotary International.

    They are water and sanitation; maternal and child health; disease prevention and treatment; basic education and literacy; economic and community development as well as peace and conflict resolution.

    He thanked Sodipo for the visit, while also extending his appreciation to the club members.

    Sodipo, while commissioning the projects at LASPOTECH, urged the staff and students of the school to ensure that projects are maintained and always in good condition.

    “Once projects are being maintained in the proper way, it will encourage us to do more beyond what we have done,” he said.

    He also commended the Club for what they have done in the institution.

    Osolo of Isolo Oba Kabir Agbabiaka, thanked the club for the numerous projects.

    He said the projects have impacted the community positively, assuring the club of his support and prayers.

    Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area Shamsideen Olaleye, who was represented by Community Development Deputy Director Alhaji Lekan Otukoya, hailed the club for erecting the 4-way Test in the council premises.

  • Rotary raises funds for schools, others 

    Rotary Club of Isolo Golden, District 9110 Nigeria, has raised funds to renovate, furnish and equip Estate Primary School, Ile Iwe Meta, Isolo.

    The club also donated desk and chairs to Anthony Village Senior High School, and gave wheelchairs to the physically-challenged.

    According to club President, Oladimeji Olagunju, who spoke at his investiture in Ikeja, Lagos, the gesture is part of its projects for 2018/2019.

    He said there would be free screening for Hepatitis B and C, adding that 1,000 will get free eyeglasses.

    “We will also embark on free cancer screening and awareness and vocational training in food processing for 20 school leavers.”

    Olagunju noted that this is the club’s way of making a positive contribution to the continuance and wellbeing of humanity.

    He urged members to show commitment, noting that he needs them to achieve anything.

    “For you to serve you have to look beyond yourself; you have to do good sacrificially; give to the community out of the little you have and the world would be a better place. Isolo community should look forward to us, be open-minded and more cooperative.”

    The event also featured unveiling of the club’s logo, launch of a song book and induction of members.

    He solicited support for Rotary, noting that the organisation is doing a lot, but can do more with outside support.

    The installation committee chairman, Shittu Olaleye, said that through Rotary, they can inspire and make a major difference in the community.

    “We rely on one another; we give what we can to those who are in need. We help because our help is needed and because there is joy in giving and in rendering help” he said.

    Chairman of the occasion Mike Omotosho said Rotary was all about service.

  • Rotary to sponsor three orphans in university

    The Rotary Club of Akowonjo has promised to sponsor three children in Little Saints orphanage to the university.

    The promise was made by the club’s President Bisi Taiwo and the Governor of District 9110 Nigeria, Kola Sodipo.

    It was during Sodipo’s visit to the club, which donated items to the orphanage in Shasha area of Lagos state.

    Taiwo told The Nation the orphanage told them that some of their children who were supposed to be in higher institutions needed funding.

    “ We intend to use an empowerment fund, coordinated by District 9110, to give the students scholarship. The sponsorship will be under District 9110 but it will come through Rotary Club of Akowonjo.”

    The club also embarked on several projects in the community, including Information Communication Technology (ICT) project in Rauf Aregbesola Primary School in Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos state by Sodipo .

    Taiwo said the project started in the last Rotary year. “The school gave us a class room which we renovated into a computer laboratory.”  We did the burglary, slide windows, ceiling, paintings, ceiling fans, and we equipped the room with 10 sets of computers, with tables and chairs, costing not less than a million naira.”

    The club also flagged off adult literacy programme, and planted trees at the same school. Taiwo said the adult literacy programme is an adult education scheme which runs for 10 months. “The aim is to teach adults how read and write.”