Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reaffirmed the need for Nigerians to embrace the culture of selflessness in line with the Rotary Club activities to make life meaningful to all.
The former President, who was represented by his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, was speaking during the pioneer convention of the Rotary Club and the unveiling of the District Governor Designate of District 9111 held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
While commending various initiatives of the Rotary Club that are targeted at uplifting humanity, Obasanjo stated that before anyone goes to bed daily, they should do a self-appraisal on how positively they have affected life.
He said, “Before you go to bed every day, always pause and ask yourself,” What am I doing for others? What are other people benefiting from me? What am I doing like the Rotary Club to make life more comfortable for others?
“It is not just by word of mouth that the Rotary Club is doing so much to help humanity, it is what is obvious to all, the good work of the outgoing District Governor of Rotary Club, District 9111, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi and his wife, Rev Olusola Kukoyi is another testament to the love of humanity by this special club”.
The former President noted that the world would be a better place if everyone imbibed the theme of love and service and considered helping one another overcome life difficulties, as the Rotary Club advocates.
Also, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, lauded the club for its various impactful projects and interventions in his keynote address.
Abiodun, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, disclosed that some of the club’s impactful interventions in the state include the Rotary Prostate Cancer Centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, and the Rotary Eye Centre at the General Hospital in Otta in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government area.
Gov Abiodun has, however, identified the need for the Rotarians to renew their commitment to the Cub ideals of empowering communities and changing lives in a world where empathy is increasingly becoming scarce.
The governor said, “Rotary’s core ideals remain a necessary moral compass. These are not just lofty principles to frame on a wall or recite at meetings. They are practical tools for healing and rebuilding the fabric of our society, ideal and noble for our communities to flourish”.
Abiodun said it is not enough for the club to embark on projects alone; it must also do so in partnership with the benefiting communities to ensure that such intervention is aligned with the people’s identified needs.
The governor, however, has called on the people to be more deliberate in rendering genuine service to create a beautiful world.
Abiodun lauded the pioneer District 9111 DG, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, and his wife, Rev Olusola Kukoyi, for providing leadership that is in tune with the humanitarian club’s idea of love and selfless service. He urged his successor, Rotarian Henry Akinyele, to consolidate the enduring legacy of empowering communities that is synonymous with the international club.
Rotarian Eric Kimani from Kenya, who represented the President of Rotary International, Stephanie Urchick, urged club members to pursue initiatives and projects to enhance world peace.
He urged the Rotarians to increase their membership while remaining innovative and committed to attracting youth to the club.
Urchick also challenged them to double up on the efforts of the club to kick out polio worldwide.
The outgoing DG, Dr Kukoyi, appreciated the club members’ support and cooperation, emphasising the need for them to keep making positive impacts in their various localities.
Meanwhile, the DG nominee, Bukola Bakare, the first female president of the Rotary Club of Ikeja, GRA, Lagos State, expressed her excitement at her elevation and the opportunity to serve humanity further.
Bakare noted that much still needs to be done regarding selfless services and helping the country attain its enviable heights.
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