…says polio banished from Nigeria, Africa
The Rotary Club Iju Spring District 9111 has been charged to sustain the humanitarian services it is known for, as Rotarian Abiodun Ogundare gets investiture sixth president of the club.
In his remarks at the grand investiture ceremony on Saturday in Lagos, Rotarian Wole Kukoyi the District Governor for District 9111 Nigeria, charged the newly investiture president to take the humanitarian service to greater heights.
“To the new President, he has already set goals for himself and I expect him to ensure that he meets the goals.
“The most significant of the Rotary works is Polio, which we started in 1985.
“I am happy to let you know that Polio is out of Nigeria and Africa courtesy of Rotary International all other organizations that partner with us, especially World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Bill Gates Foundation.”
Kukoyi who hinted that Rotary Club will be 120 years old in a months time, also officiated the membership induction of five new Rotarians with words of encouragement, noting that the development is in compliance with the 30 percent membership drive directive.
“For the new inductees they are here with skills and resources, they would do Rotary a lot of good by contributing those resources and skills to Rotary Club of Iju Spring.”
Rotarian Omoniyi Olowe who stated that he was the foundation Chairman for Rotary Club Iju Spring and equally the chair I Care committee of Rotary club urged the newly installed President-Ogundare to raise the bar of humanitarian service beyond what he met on ground.
“I want to charge the new president to be up and doing in making sure that he surpasses what we have on ground so that people can have a feel of what rotary is all about.
“I would want to say to all Rotarians that we have a lot of grounds to cover in the area of Polio plus, child education, education awareness, health and the rest.
“So, parts of our projects are to ensure that we make the best use of the opportunity given unto us to serve humanity. I will expect that we do more, do more and do more, we can always do more.
“We never expected that our DG and his spouse will be here with us today, the array of guest with us really made the day great for us.”
In his acceptance speech the newly investiture President Rotarian Barrister Ogundare, who started in acting capacity since June 2024 and office tenure winds down by June 2025 in the Rotary year themed ‘The Magic of Rotary’ reels out the next port of call in service to humanity.
“We will be going to schools to share and distribute school bags, school kits and other related items.
“We are organizing an all-inclusive school debate for the basic education and literacy project.
“We will sponsor the medical and health insurance of a minimum of 20 aged and vulnerable persons for at least a year, we will empower various categories of artisans and skilled workers for the economic and community empowerment.
“We still have a host of creative and interesting projects to put smiles on peoples’ faces. This is what the Magic of Rotary is all about.” Ogundare said.
He also showcased the Magic of Rotary Board of Directors, Vice President- RTN Oluwafunmilayo Bickersteth, Secretary- RTN Wale Falade, Treasurer-RTN Motunrayo Onifade, Welfare-RTN Adebisi Akintunde and host of others.
Rotarian PP Abayomi Bickersteth Chairman of the 2024-2025 Installation Planning Committee, in his address tasks members to keep up the service to humanity while adding that through the unwavering commitment of Rotarians, the standards of living will be better raised for many.
The highlight of the investiture ceremony was the presentation of awards to distinguish members, who had contributed immensely to the Iju Spring Rotary Club development.