Distinguished District leaders and fellow Rotarian Elizabeth Edozie,
At this threshold of a new year, I am honored to address you today, filled with hope, optimism, and a renewed sense of purpose.
This moment presents an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments, re-evaluate our goals, and rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Rotary.
In this year of "Irresistible Magic," let us continue to spread joy, kindness, and hope wherever we go. Let us remain focused on our core values: Fellowship, Service Above Self, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.
In this year of "Irresistible Magic," let us continue to spread joy, kindness, and hope wherever we go. Let us remain focused on our core values: Fellowship, Service Above Self, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.
Let us continue to nurture our friendships, support one another, and work together to address the pressing needs of our world.
As District Governor, I pledge to support each of you to make a meaningful impact. Let us work together to achieve our goals, to grow our membership, and to enhance our service to humanity.
Let us share our own "Magic of Rotary" stories, highlighting the transformative power of our work in communities around the world. Let us inspire others to join us in our quest to create lasting change.
I encourage each of you to get involved, to take ownership of our district's initiatives, and to make a meaningful contribution. Together, we can achieve great things.
As we look forward to the new year, we must not forget to take stock of our accomplishments and successes in the first half year of our term. Many significant activities dotted our landscape that need to be mentioned.
We kickstarted the frenzy of activities with a thanksgiving service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja and thereafter commenced the official Club visits. A few days later witnessed the foundation laying ceremony of the star project, the Sickle Cell disease Centre building.
The District Governor’s installation ceremony at the Balmoral Event Centre on 6 July 2024 was a watershed in terms of the calibre and quality of attendees, fundraising success, event packaging and profit making.
Immediately after this, installation ceremonies of irresistible presidents and induction of Board took off in grand style amidst funfair and camaraderie.
Sandwiched between these two activities were other official engagements that were equally remarkably important .
A synopsis of these events is as follows:
2 Council of Governors meetings.
RYLA: this took place at the conducive environment of Sea School Apapa, recording a high turnout of participants and an interesting array of professional stars and resource personalities.
Rotary Institute at Mauritius where our District was represented by a strong delegation comprising DG and Spouse, DGE and Spouse, DGN and Chairs of DRFC, DMC and DLF.
The DG Speaks, monthly; 6 editions so far.
The DG monthly Newsletter, electronic and hard copy
Irresistible Virtual Learning Series; monthly
Inauguration of various Committees, including the District Manual of Policy and District Governor Nominee Scoring Scheme.
World Polio Day activities held in Lagos and Abeokuta. DG attended the National celebration in Port Harcourt.
Rotary Friendship Exchanges:
Inbound from District 9123 and 9124 Outbound to District 1145 UK
West Africa Project Fair Took place in GhanaDistrict represented by DG, Committee Chair and many other Rotarians
We Care Daily celebration of significant life events
Quarterly birthday celebration
Visit to Modupe Cole Home with donation of gift items Gift to widows of deceased Rotarians,
Christmas carol service
Rotary Youth Exchange
Our student, Joy Onyinye Nwokedi, sponsored by Rotary Club o Amuwo, has arrived Germany for the 12-month pro gram Strategic partnership discussions with the following organisations:
ProvidusBank, Tolaram Group, Fenchurch Group
Seminars Grants
Zonal Multi Club Learning Faculties 1, 2 and 3
Membership
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic Empowerment Programme, with 30 people empowered with =N=100,000 each
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic Empowerment Programme, with 30 people empowered with =N=100,000 each
Vocational Service
Women in Rotary, with celebration of the Girl-Child Day
Women in Rotary, with celebration of the Girl-Child Day
Rotary Foundation
Disease Prevention and Treatment, with outreach on Breast and Cervical Cancer at Ikeja and Abeokuta
Sickle Cell Disease Centre
Star project
Building funded mainly by proceeds from the DGs installation ceremony
Funds from corporate bodies, Clubs, Rotarians, friends and family members of DG Roofing of the building completed ahead of timeline
Equipping and furnishings through Global Grant
Funds from corporate bodies, Clubs, Rotarians, friends and family members of DG Roofing of the building completed ahead of timeline
Equipping and furnishings through Global Grant
Peace Study at Olabisi Onabanjo University
Signature project
3 months of online and in-campus study on Peace building and conflict prevention 1st set of 30 students resumed on 13 December 2024 during the official flag off 2nd set to resume on 1st February 2025.
1st set fully sponsored by Rotarian Chief Osunkeye, Rotary Club of Ikeja
2nd set already paid for by Ace Medicare Clinics Limited, Ota
Membership.
As of 31 December 2024, our membership was 2223. The figure is a significant drop from the figure in November 2024, reflecting widespread deletion of members by Clubs for various reasons especially non-payment of annual dues.
This has had a serious negative effect on our District’s membership profile in the Zone and RI.
I just urge presidents to promptly replace all the deleted members so that our profile can spring back.
Rotary Foundation
January RI exchange rate: $1 to =N=1547
January RI exchange rate: $1 to =N=1547
Total giving: Annual Fund: Polio: Endowment:
$116,749.15 reflected as: $101,142.27
$13,606.88
$ 2,000
Club Visits
Altogether, 51 Clubs have been visited as at 31 December 2024.
Most of the Clubs that have not been visited have asked for change of dates for various reasons. 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.
Most of the Clubs that have not been visited have asked for change of dates for various reasons. 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.
Coming Events
Visit by The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair
Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney and Spouse Gay will be visiting Nigeria between 15 and 20 January 2025, (Abuja 15 to 18, and Lagos from 18 to 20 January 2025)
Activities lined up include Town Hall meeting with Rotarians, visit to Indo Eye Care Foundation, probable visit to Lagos State Governor and a ticketed dinner at Radisson Blu Hotel)
Mission for Vision: 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.
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 players Team and Sports Committee members.
The logo of the Sports Festival was unveiled and the torch was also lighted at the memorable ceremony.
Details of the different events will be unveiled soon.
Calgary Rotary International convention
Many Rotarians have already been issued visas for the purpose of attending the Calgary convention.
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 Committee.
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
Arrangements are being intensified towards hosting a very successful and exciting District Conference
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.
Interestingly, the inbound Rotary Friendship Exchange Team will be part of the District Conference.
District Office Resumption
The office opens for business on 06 January 2025 after the two-week break As we embark on this new year, I leave you with a message of hope and optimism.
Together, let us make this year one of unforgettable moments, meaningful connections, and irresistible magic.
Let us continue to be the change-makers, the problem-solvers, and the forces for good in our world.
Let us make this year unforgettable!
Let us continue to be the change-makers, the problem-solvers, and the forces for good in our world.
Let us make this year unforgettable!
Yours in Rotary service,
Oluwole Kukoyi
District Governor 2024-2025