The promise of delivering Rotary International District 9111 Governoor, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi's pet project, the Sickle Cell Disease Centre has finally come to fruition.
(District Governor (Dr.) Oluwole Kukoyi at the site pictured with some of the workers and Rtn. (Architect) Adeyinka Adesanya, a member of the D9111 Sickle Cell Centre Building Committee on Saturday December 28, 2024)
Situated on the premises of the Ota General Hospital in Ogun State, the Sickle Cell Disease Centre building commenced at the inception of the pioneer RI District 9111 with the foundation-laying ceremony on July 3rd 2024 under the heavy rain which could not deter Rotarians as people of action who thronged the venue of event to give Rotarian (Dr.) Oluwole Kukoyi their unalloyed support.
The building housing the Sickle Cell Centre was designed and supervised by a team of professional Rotarians through direct labour under the D9111 Sickle Cell Disease Centre Building Committee led by its Chairman, Past Assistant Governor, Tunde Alimi, who promised the delivery of the project under six months is now at the roofing stage as promised.
Commenting on the building project during the December 2024 edition of the DG Speaks, an online audience-participation programme, anchored by Assistant District Secretary, Rotarian John Odiboh, the District Governor appealed for more support for the project from Rotarians while appreciating those who had made various donations towards the building which is to cater for the needs of Sickle Cell Disease patients in Ogun, Lagos states and the entire country.
During his visit to the site, the District Governor, who was visibily excited said that: "to God be all the glory for promise made and kept". According to him, the roofing of the Sickle Cell Centre building has been completed ahead of our timeline of 31st December 2024".
This achievement, the District Governor noted "couldn't have been possible without your commitment, sacrifices and professional support", adding that
"I appreciate the chairman and all committee members for the service above self", while wishing them the best of the season".
"I appreciate the chairman and all committee members for the service above self", while wishing them the best of the season".
In his response, the Chairman of the D9111 Sickle Cell Disease Centre Building Committee,
PAG Alimi said: "thank you my pioneer District Governor for your support despite epileptic funding from the district, and also the opportunity to serve".
PAG Alimi said: "thank you my pioneer District Governor for your support despite epileptic funding from the district, and also the opportunity to serve".
In addition, Alimi gave a "big thank you to all my distinguished Rotarians from the engineering team to others for your support", saying "I'm most grateful".
He stated however, that "we have gotten to at least 50 per cent of the project, God willing, we will finish it successfully". He therefore, appreciated all and sundry, wishing everyone compliments of the Christmas and new year season.
Consequently, with the building completed up to the roof level, the next stage will be plastering, electrical, carpentry, aluminium works, equipping the centre with modern day medical equipment especially those suited for sickle cell disease patients and also the manpower to run the centre which will require more funding from Rotarians, non-Rotarians, corporate organisations, friends and guests of Rotary District 9111.