As we welcome the month of May, I extend warm greetings to every member of our District.
May is a special month for us Rotarians, as we focus on youth service and empowerment. It also represents a significant time for us in the District as our much-awaited Conference is billed to hold within this period.
This month, let's engage with our young people, listen to their ideas, and provide opportunities for growth and development. Let's nurture their passion for service and empower them to become leaders.
As our Rotary International President emphasises, 'Empowering young people to become leaders is crucial for creating a better future.' Let's work together to provide mentorship, resources, and platforms for our youth to thrive.
Through our youth service initiatives, we can foster a culture of compassion, innovation, and community engagement. Let's inspire the next generation of Rotarians to make a positive impact.
I encourage you all to participate in youth-focused projects, support Rotaract clubs, and engage with young people in our communities. Together, let's create a brighter future for all.
I wish you all a productive and fulfilling month of May, filled with meaningful service, connection, and growth
District Leadership
I am delighted to inform you that the District Governor Elect, Prince Henry Akinyele has, as the Convener, successfully concluded the Learning Seminars, the last being the District Learning Assembly, DLA. This brought together leaders from seventy one Clubs in our District to get groomed on the tools and strategies needed to discharge their responsibilities in the year 2025-2026.
Membership
The growth in membership is reflected in the current statistics:
Membership as at 1st July 2024: 2136
Membership as at 30th April 2025: 2301
Net membership gain: 165
I am greatly delighted to inform you of the admission of the latest Club in our District to Rotary International. Rotary Club of EwutuntunPrestige, sponsored by Rotary Club of Ewu-Tuntun was formally admitted on 29 April through a letter by Rotary International President Stephaine A. Urchick in which she noted that the Club’s admission reflects Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self. I congratulate the irresistible President of sponsor Club, the District Membership Chair, the Charter President of the new Club, the New Club Adviser and other Rotarians who were involved in the formation process.
We are still hopeful of forming more Rotary Clubs in the next few weeks.
Rotary Foundation
Currently, the figures are as follows:
• APF:$ 166,370.91
• Polio:$20,011.91
• Others:$36
• Endowment:$3,000
Total giving:$189,224.29
The Top 5 giving Clubs are
Omole Golden:$ 28,547.47
Ota:$ 19,613.76
Abeokuta:$ 18,011.13
Ewu-Tuntun$ 12,014.39
Agege$ 11,051.31
Club Visits
As of 28 April 2025, 69 Clubs have been visited, leaving 5 (out of which 2 are newly formed)
Most of these will have to come to the District office for the official visit.
District Conference 2025
We are getting very excited that the District Conference is here this month!
I am delighted to inform you that RI has finally allocated the President’s Representative to our District Conference. PDG Eric and wife Margaret from Kenya will be joining us at the Conference that promises to lay a solid foundation for the future.
PDG Eric Kimani is an Entrepreneur, attorney of law, fellow certified public accountant (FCPAK) and business leader of repute having founded his own companies and run some public companies such as KTDA Ltd and Sameer Africa Ltd as Chief Executive Officer. Together with his wife Margaret, he runs the Palmhouse Foundation, a very successful education trust. He is also a published author and a sought-after motivational and inspirational speaker. He a recipient of the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by His Excellency the President of Kenya for service to community in 2011 and holds an LLB (Laws) degree from the University of London. He is currently serving as Rotary Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor (EMGA) of Region 28 of Zone 22, 2021-24.
Kimani is a member of the Rotary Club of Muthaiga North and a Paul Harris Society member. He has been a Rotarian for 31 years and has served as a past president of the Rotary Club of Nairobi North and past District Governor of District 9200. During his stint as District Governor in 2012/13, (which at the time consisted of Kenya, Uganda Tanzania and Eritrea) he grew the District with the formation of a District with the formation of a record 21 new clubs and led a record fund raising for the Rotary Foundation
Rotary Friendship Exchange
The RFE team to District 7080 Canada is being put together by the Committee. The visit is designed to flow into the RI Convention in Calgary.
The tentative schedule is from 15 to 29 June 2025 and interesting activities are already lined up.
A delegation from District 7080 is expected to attend our District Conference.
Also expected at our Conference is the inbound RFE team from D2440 Turkey to be used by DG Mert Korur.
Ongoing District Projects
Peace Study at Olabisi Onabanjo University
The second cohort of students for the study will finish the programmeon 03 May.
A joint graduation ceremony for the 70 students will be done on 23 May at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye.
Sickle Cell Disease Building Project
The project has reached advanced stage with the electrical, plumbing, aluminium, ceiling and plastering completed. This will be followed by the internal and external walls painting and the fixture of fittings.
More donations continue to come in for the Sickle Cell centre project.
Rtn. PP Bamidele Onalaja and his wife Rtn. Tolulope Onalaja boosted the fund with ₦5million.
Individuals and Clubs in Egba pledged ₦2.85million as further contributions to the fund. They are:
RC Abeokuta Royal: =N=500,000
RC Abeokuta Metro: =N=300,000
RC Rockcity: =N=200,000
RC Oke Mosan Golden: =N=100,000
RC Abeokuta: =N=500,000
Hon Jagunmolu: =N=500,000
RC Abeokuta Prestige: =N=50,000
CP Walter Adetoye: =N=100,000
Trio of DNI, Adijat & Kayode Oladipo: =N=500k
PAG Whyte: =N=100k
As already planned, furnishing and equipping will be funded through Global Grant.
Mission for Vision
The surgical aspect of the mission continues at the background.
The current statistics are as follows:
• Total patients screened:2,864
• Total cataract cases diagnosed:1,056
• Total cataract surgeries done:784
These amazing figures are a result of the professional astuteness of the Chairman of the Committee and the solid support and commitment of all the members. We hope to hit the 1,000-operation target soon.
We also enjoyed the quality of care that could only have come from the standard of the flagship Eye Foundation Hospital,
We are most grateful and thankful to everyone, including all the volunteers from so many Rotary Clubs
We shall be paying a thank-you visit to the Management of the Eye Foundation Hospital on Tuesday 06 May 2025
Rotary Youth Exchange
Our student is doing very well and has been sending monthly reports of her activities and engagements in Germany.
We already have a slot each for a Long-term exchange for next year in Germany and Brazil.
I’m also happy to inform you that Rotary Youth Exchange Board has been inaugurated with PAG Dr. Ojuroye as the Chairman.
DEWEF
The presentation of DEWEF awards was done during the month.
Apart from increasing the number of beneficiaries from 15 to 20, the Board graciously approved the increase of the amount to ₦200,000 from ₦100,000
District Rotaract Conference
The Conference was held at Ojo between 3rd and 6th April and it brought together the DRR, DRE and DRN as well as members of the Core Team.
It featured lectures and panel discussion as well as sports and entertainment.
District Interact Conference
Held between 11th and 13th April, the Conference witnessed many interesting programmes tailored to the youth of that age bracket. The highlights of the events included the guest lectures and the induction of two of the guest speakers into Rotary.
Charter Certificate Presentation Ceremony
The newly formed Rotary Club of Amuwo Prestige was formally presented its Charter Certificate at a colourful ceremony on 23 April. The Club had twenty-five members at charter.
Unveiling of Rotary at 120 Plaque
To commemorate Rotary’s 120th anniversary, Rotarians contributed $120 dollars to Rotary Foundation.
The plaque bearing the names of these cheerful giving Rotarians was officially commissioned at the Peace corner on the ground floor of PDG Juli Adelusi Adeluyi House on 17 April
Interview for District Auditor
This was done on 22 April for Rotarian-owned audit firms that indicated interest in providing the professional service to the District.
Women In Rotary Conference and Exhibition
This event, which was held at POWA Hall in Ikeja GRA, was well-attended and coordinated. It featured lectures, screening for breast and cervical cancers, exhibition of products and items (owned mostly by Rotarians), awards, music and dance and entertainment.
We Care Celebration at Modupe Cole Orphanage
This special edition of the We Care was celebrated at Modupe Cole orphanage to share fellowship with the inmates and communicate a message of hope to them. Amid exciting music and vibrant dancing, the students, staff of the orphanage as well as Rotarians enjoyed intense interaction and fellowship.
Incidentally, the tenth edition of DG Speaks was hosted live from the location of the orphanage.
District Grant-funded projects commissioned during the month
1. Block of ICT laboratory and Solar power by Rotary Club of Omole Golden
2. Renovated block of six classrooms by Rotary Club of Akowonjo
Two Special events the DG was invited to
1. Presidents’ retreat at Ilaji, Oyo State. This turned out to be a very well-attended and beautifully organised evening where I had the great opportunity to interact closely with many irresistible Presidents in a relaxed atmosphere. I appreciate the Captain and Exco and all irresistible Presidents for this thoughtful, wonderful initiative. I also thank them for the beautiful gift.
2. Evening with the DG by Egba Clubs on Sunday 27 April. The event by the poolside was a perfect setting for a relaxing and fun-filled evening which brought many Clubs together. PDG Omotunde Lawson and PA PAG Abiola were present to add glamour and essence. Two significant events that added colour to the evening were the decoration of Rotarians Honourable Adijat and Jagunmolu as Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation, and the unexpected but novel raising of funds for the Sickle Cell centreproject. I appreciate all the organisers of the evening programmeand the donors.
Coming Event
Calgary Rotary International Convention
Progress continues to be recorded on the arrangements.
219 visas have been issued out of the 328 official applications, with 100 rejections.
The Committee encourages resubmission of applications, and timely payment of RICon registration fees by those already with visas.
The Naija Vibes party has already been oversubscribed, indicating the interest of 9111 attendees to enjoy the convention in a special way.
We are also enjoined to register for the All-Africa dinner which is usually a great avenue to network with Rotarians from other African countries.
Fellow Rotarians, I look forward to welcoming you to an exciting, refreshing and fun-filled District Conference starting on 29 May at Abeokuta.
Have a blessed and fulfilling month.
Yours in Rotary service,
Oluwole Kukoyi,
District Governor 2024-2025
01 May 2025
