Fellow Rotarians,
As we step into the month of December, I want to take a moment to reflect on our journey so far. We've had an incredible Rotary half year, filled with service, fellowship, and growth. Our District has been a shining example of what it means to live the Rotary values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
As we look to the new month, designated in Rotary as Disease Prevention and Treatment, let us focus on promoting health care and disease prevention through various projects and activities.
During this month, let us provide medical care and health education and awareness, undertake projects that focus on preventing and treating diseases such as malaria and HIV or organize fundraising and donations.
Overall, our focus during the month will be on promoting health care and disease prevention and supporting those affected by diseases.
As a District, we are launching a massive screening of women for breast and cervical cancers, two diseases that are of significant impact on their morbidity and mortality. This intervention will take place in Abeokuta on 3rd December and in Lagos on 4th December. It is a documented fact that early diagnosis and treatment improve the chances of improvement and better quality of life.
Because of the special significance attached to December all over the world, many activities that promote family union and integration are lined up for us Rotarians.
Family of Rotary Fun Fiesta
This event which comes up on 14 December at Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park provides a great opportunity for Rotarians and their families to relish beautiful and memorable moments together.
We should all get ready for a day of irrestible festivities as promised by Committee Chair AG Kayode Oladipo and team members.
Christmas Carol Service
Anchored by District’s We Care Committee ably chaired by PP Susan Isijola, the first Christmas Carol service in our District will come up on 17 December amidst the traditional songs and decorations typical of the season. Catch the fun, joy and peace of this age-long festivity with Rotarians, staff and guests on this day at the Bank PHB Hall.
Here are highlights of the significant events in the past month:
Membership
As at 30 November 2024, our membership was 2356. The figure is lower than our projections considering the fact that many new members were inducted in the month of November during installation ceremonies and DG’s official visits.
I urge presidents to promptly report new members on the Rotary Club Central platform to ensure true reflection of our membership status.
Rotary Foundation
In the area of Foundation giving, our performance needs a lot of intentional efforts to improve our current level. We came third (after D9213 and D9214) in Annual Fund giving in Zone 22 with the contribution of $70,363 as at 31 October.
As at 30 November, details of our contributions are as follows:
Total giving:$92,250.18, reflected as:
Annual Fund:$77,233.20
Polio:$10,794.39
Endowment:$ 2,000
The top giving Clubs are as follows:
1. Ota: $16,629.21
2. Omole Golden: $14,524.99
3. Ikeja: $8,666.53
4. Gowon Estate: $7,707.80
5. Maryland: $5,745.29
Club Visits
Altogether, 47 Clubs have been visited as at 30 November 2024.
There has been a little improvement in the prompt submission of the Workbook.
Of recent, there has been an inspiring increase in the willingness to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. I appreciate the many Rotarians who have paid or pledged to pay for PHF.
I also appreciate those Clubs with 100% payment of $10/member Polio fund.
To date, no Club has paid the $1,500 Polio Club levy.
To encourage subscription to PHF, the District is matching contribution of $500 with 500 recognition points. The response to this has been phenomenal and this will be reflected in the District’s statistics in a couple of weeks.
For the information of Clubs that have not been visited, payment of Club’s district and RI semi-annual dues are minimum requirements for the DG to visit the Clubs.
Sickle Cell Disease Building Project
Work is progressing steadily on this project. The roofing of the building is being prepared
The project funding got a big boost with the inauguration of the Committee ably chaired by Past President Bamidele Onalaja and the Committee has already begun work.
I must thank our respected elder Rotarian Chief Oshunkeye for linking us with an organisation for the donation of cement bags needed to complete the project. Documentation had reached advanced stage for the release of the donation.
I also appreciate the Clubs and individual Rotarians who have contributed to this worthy cause. A comprehensive list of these donations is being compiled and will be well-displayed in a wall of fame.
PAG Alimi and his team of dedicated Rotarian professionals have been doing a lot to ensure quality of the construction going on.
Peace study at Olabisi Onabanjo University
Our District is pursuing with passion the goal of empowering people with the capacity in peace building and conflict prevention through structured learning at the Olabisi Onabanjo University. This certificate-awarding 3-month study programme already has a curriculum and faculty designed for implementation.
The Committee in charge of coordinating the programme, headed by Past President Dr. Bankole Sewanu has done extensive work in screening the applicants. Out of the many applications received (including from outside Nigeria), 30have been selected as satisfying the criteria for admission by the University. It must be stressed at this point that Rotarians and their immediate families are not eligible for this programme.
It is gratifying to inform you that full payment for the first two sets of students has been made by Rtn. Chief Oshunkeye of Rotary Club of Ikeja and Ace Medicare Clinics Limited.
The programme shall be formally flagged off on 13 December 2024 by the Vice Chancellor and principal officers of the University as well as the leadership of our District at Ago-Iwoye
District Economic Empowerment Project
The Committee held a well-attended programme that brought together men and women of diverse vocational backgrounds. As the first step of the fulfillment of the Committee’s goal, a loan disbursement of one hundred thousand (₦100,000) each has been made to thirty (30) identified beneficiaries. This is repayable over a period of six months.
Past Assistant Governor Sunmonu and Committee members are appreciated for their sacrifice despite the challenges of raising the needed funds.
Vocational Service Workshop
Recognizing the relevance and growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), the Vocational Service Committee organised a training on to promote personal development and encourage Rotarians to embrace technological innovations towards creating lasting impact in the society.
The committee collaborated with Firmcloud (a Tech and Info systems development company) to organise the hybrid training titled Mastering AI for Personal Growth and Advancing Rotary Ideals in the Digital Age.
This innovative programme was anchored by PAG Sola Benson and members of the Committee.
District Sports Festival
District 9111 Rotary Sports Festival (ROSFEST) was officially launched at an impressive ceremony on Friday 29 November 2024.
The occasion was honoured with the presence of DGE 9112 Lanre Adedoyin (representing DG Femi Adenekan), PDG Omotunde Lawson, PAG Ade Oyenekan, all Core Team and Sports Committee members.
The logo of the Sports Festival was unveiled and the torch was also lighted at the memorable ceremony.
Appreciation goes to Committee Chair Rtn. Uche Okafor and members for the groundwork already in place for a successful event.
Calgary Rotary International Convention
The third list of screened applicants for the Canadian visa has been meticulously compiled and forwarded to the Embassy.
The last screening was carried out mostly virtually.
Cumulatively, 304 names have been screened and sent so far as follows:
1st batch: 109
2nd batch: 85
3rd batch: 110
18 visas are out as at now.
It is hoped that majority of the names sent to the embassy will be successful following the rigorous criteria employed for the screening by the Committe AG Niyi Idowu and members.
As a result of our partnership with ProvidusBank, five of the bank’s staff will join us in Calgary. Our booth at the convention will be branded by the bank which will also provide branded T-shirts for the entire D9111 delegation.
District Conference 2025
Date 29th May - 1st June 2025
Number of registrants so far is 900 plus.
Accommodation:
We have three official hotels
• Green Legacy
• Conference hotel
• Park Inn Hotel
Reservation of these hotels has been ongoing
House of Friendship booths are fully booked.
Letters of invitation have been sent out to Chair, guests, traditional rulers and corporate organisations whilst the use of the hall for the welcome cocktail has been firmly secured by payment.
Courtesy Visit to Tolaram Group
The District Team paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Tolaram Group, Rtn. Mohan Vaswani with the DGE of Rotary Club of Singapore also in attendance. Various collaboration ideas were shared by both parties.
B2B Forum with ProvidusBank
This bright initiative was launched on 22 November at the bank’s head office in Adeola Odeku street. It promises to be a fruitful business relationship with the bank.
The occasion was used to announce the collaboration package with ProvidusBank, consisting of:
• Coconut tree planting
• Rotary Foundation Dinner and Dance
• 5 bank officials as part of District 9111 delegation to RI Calgary Convention
• Provision of 300 branded T-shirts to the RI Convention
• Branding of D9111 booth at the House of Friendship at the RI Convention
Appreciation goes to the Chair of the Committee PP Gani Abogunloko for facilitating the various conversations with the Bank’s Management.
Mission for Mission: 1000 cataract surgeries
In collaboration with Eye Foundation Hospital Limited, our District is pursuing a goal of 1000 cataract surgeries.
During the courtesy visit to the Hospital Management and implementation team, the terms of the collaboration were defined and the strategies for screening and surgical operations outlined. The Committee, headed by PAG Jerry Aighessi, will soon unfold the details of the screening centres and the various dates for the operations.
Christmas Break
The District office will be officially closed for a two-week break from Friday 20 December 2024 to Monday 06 January 2025
I want to encourage each Rotarian to continue striving for excellence. Let us continue to serve our communities with passion and dedication.
Let us continue to support one another and build each other up. And let us continue to be beacons of hope and inspiration to those around us.
In the spirit of the season, I also want to remind you all of the importance of giving back. As Rotarians, we are committed to making a positive impact in the world. Let us continue to live out this commitment in all that we do.
Thank you for all that you do, and let's make December a month to remember!
Until the next edition of DG’s new month welcome message, I wish all of us great moments in the remaining days of 2024 and a triumphant and graceful transition into 2025.
Yours in Rotary service,
Oluwole Kukoyi
District Governor 2024-2025