I have the unique pleasure to welcome all Rotariuans to another month in our Rotary year: September, designated as Basic eduxation and literacy month.
This is another opportunity to thank God for His grace and mercy over us as individual Rotarians and as a District.
A lot of activities happened in the month that has just ended which have continued to shapen and sharpened our focus as a District.
I am full of appreciation and gratitude to every member of the District for individual and joint contributions to the great brand that we are making of our District.
The Troika has been increasing in purpose and direction and the Past District Governors have been ever so supportive and encouraging in every respect. The irresistible Presidents have been truly magical and irresistible. Action Champions, Zonal Coordinators, Assistant Governors and Committee Chairs havebeen working hard to get things done well.
Of course the Core Team is a great asset to this administration by the sheer commitment, dediaction and sacrifice of the members.
We are proud of all the projects done so far at Club and District levels which have had significant impact across various communities.
In the course of August 2024, our Doyen PDG Dr. Prince Juli Adelusi-Adeluyi celebrated his 84th birthday anniversary. I seize this opportunity to wish him divine health and soundness of mind as he navigates the future gracefully.
Here are highlights of the significant events:
Membership
This obviously is always a top priority in Rotary matters.
The official membership figure as at 31st August was 2255,rising from 2136 on 1st July 2024. The figure is lower than our projections probably due to incomplete reporting by the Clubs of newly admitted members. It is hoped that the various tools and nuggets garnered from the various Club membership seminars in August will improve the membership growth in the Clubs and District.
Membership and New Club Development Month
August, designated as membership and new Club development month, witnessed many membership seminars at Club and multi-Club levels. Many of our Past District Governors served as valuable ressources at these events.
The District Membership Seminar, anchored by DMC ChairPDG Bola Oyebade held at Abeokuta yesterday. Though attendance was poorer than envisaged, the quality of the presentation was impressive and motivational.
Rotary Foundation
We are not doing enough in terms of conribution to the Foundation.
Even though the RI exchange rate continued to rise, $=₦1,629, we should not be discouraged or our spirit dampened. Rather we should look at the larger picture of giving to humanity not minding the cost, and also prioritising our spending.
I pray that God will bless and prosper our earnings to be able to increase our giving.
The current District total Foundation giving stands at $31,584.03
Club visits
Altogether, 18 Clubs have been visited.
There is still a general trend of late submission of Work book as well as potary Youth mme of DG visit. Contribution to RotaryFoundation remains poor generally Only few Clubs have committed to EREY and the mandatory $10 polio plus contribution.
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 their Clubs.
Sickle Cell disease building project
Work is progressing steadily on this project, with the casting of the ground floor slab yesterday. The speed of work will improve significantly after this stage.
I appreciate PAG Alimi and his team of dedicated Rotarian professionals in ensuring quality of the construction going onand by their physical presence at the site for supervision and coordination of the work.
RYLA
RYLA 2024 is closing today 1st September after a most exciting and successfu, rewarding and hitch-free experience for the participants.
In all, 313 candidates participated at the trainoing.
Nearly all the clubs in District 9111 sent participants in various numbers.
The program officially started on Saturday, August 24, 2024, when all participants arrived in the camp, Sea School, in Apapa, Lagos.
All participants will,expectedly, go back home totally transformed. They learnt, relearned and unlearned; they mate new friends and build relationships that will last them a lifetime. They were also exposed to a lot of things that hitherto they never knew and their mindsets were totally transformed. RYLA, as a matter of fact, is one program that no child participates in and remains the same. It's simply a life-transforming event for every child.
The one week prgramme was unique because the carefully-selected speakers treated special topics that are pertinent in today's world: from ICT to success in different facets of life; discipline, entrepreneurship, academics etc. Vocational training was incorporated into the program to accommodate those interested in that route. Of special mention are the celebrities and showbiz stars like great broadcaster, Prince Bisi Olatilo of Bisi Olatilo Show; Ali Baba, the king of comedy; Julius Agwu, another comedy great; iconic actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo; another popular actor and others were on ground to motivate them.
The theme of the event, “Our Youths, Simply Irresistible!” captured the essence of theevent as we believe so much in our youths, especially their unquantifiable potential. And that is again one of the things we want to champion and propagate with this unique and distinct program.
Rotary Youth Exchange
The ambassador of D9110 to the Rotary Youth Exchange programme, Daniella Olayinka, returned from Germany to a hero’s welcome during the month. She paid a courtesy visit to the District on 14 August at a memorable event. She was praised for her impeccable character and wonderful representation ofRotary and the country.
Interview has already been done to pick the next exchangestudent
Rotary Friendship exchange
Following the huge success of the last RFE with the team from Uganda and Tanzania, another team is being prepared in collaboration with our UK friends. Interview has been done while awaiting other necessary processing. Later in the year, teams to North America (US and Canada) and Turkey will be put together.
Calgary Rotary International convention
Screening is already on top gear for Convention goers. Prior to the screening, a meeting was held with the Canadian High Commissioner in Abuja, setting the tone for the District guidelines and criteria to guarantee best outcomes for visa application and convention experience.
Vocational Training Team Global Grant project
After the initial delay over a protracted period, the five-member team (consisting of ophthalmologist, two optometrist and two ophthalmic nurse) left for India for a two-week intensive on 23rd August. Feedback from the participants has been a story of fresh learning, engaging fellowship and professional networking.
MOU signed with Olabisi Onababjo University
Our District sealed collaboration agreement with Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Nigeria with respect to a certificate-awarding 3-month study in Peace, Security and Conflict Prevention aimed at boosting capacity building of interested applicants.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both parties at the University premises on Thursday, 15th of August, 2024.
In company of the pioneer District Governor, Rotary International District 9111, Rtn. (Dr) Oluwole Kukoyi were the District Governor Elect, Rtn. Henry Akinyele, the District Executive Secretary, AG Valentine Shomoye, the Chairman of District Peace Building Conflict Prevention Committee- PP Dr. Sewanu Bankole and some members of the committee PP Oseni Funmilayo Abeke and IPP Kazeem Alabi.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Ayodeji Agboola was accompanied by all the principal officers of the University.
Coming events
Public Image Seminar is slated for Thursday, 03 Oct
A galaxy of motivating and inspiring speakers and resources have been lined up to make this a worthwhile and worthy experience for participants.
District Conference 2025
Date 29th May - 2st June 2025
Number of registrants so far is 900 plus.
Accommodation is being arranged in the followig hotels:
Reservation is now open for booking: however, House of Friendship booths are fully booked.
Coconut tree planting
Rotary D9111 is partnering ProvidusBank to plant 600 coconut trees. The official planting of the trees will be done at Ado-Odo which has graciously offered six acres of land to Rotary.
Distinguished Rotarians, I wish you all a fruitful and fulfilling month of September.