Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa has unveiled plans to develop an eight-block public toilet facility in the Kungabukun community within the Bwari area council, with a budget of N5 million.
The initiative aims to eradicate open defecation and enhance public health in the rural area.
The president of Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa, Emmanuel Chinonso David, made the announcement while speaking to journalists after a joint training session for new members and officers, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Abuja Kubwa, Abuja Kubwa Gateway and Abuja Unity.
“Rotary places a high value on maternal and child health, as well as overall community health. This year, we are prioritising a project aimed at ‘Ending Open Defecation’ in Kungabukun,” he said.
David described Kungabukun as a rural community grappling with considerable health challenges.
“By providing a public toilet, we can help prevent disease transmission that occurs when individuals resort to defecating in the bush.
A well-structured toilet facility will significantly improve hygiene,” he explained.
He said that the foundation laying and construction are set to commence shortly, with an estimated project cost ranging from N4.5 million to N5 million.
While sparking on the event which served to train new Rotary members, Emmanuel highlighted the session’s importance, stating, “This training is crucial for equipping our members with a foundational understanding of Rotary’s principles.
“Our organisation prides itself on structure and discipline, ensuring members are aligned with our core values and standards that have sustained us over the years.”
An assistant governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotn Festus Iyke Agbazua, elaborated on the training’s goals.
“This session aims to provide new members with essential knowledge to align with Rotary’s practices,” he noted.
He further identified the three main principles of Rotary: cultivating leadership, fostering friendship, and serving humanity.
Agbazua also shared the guiding “Four-Way Test” that Rotarians use to evaluate ethical decisions, pointing to the collaborative training as an embodiment of camaraderie among the three clubs.
Additionally, a past district governor, Rotarian Lawrence Okwor highlighted that Nigeria’s developmental issues often stem from poor resource management rather than a lack of funds.
Okwor criticised governmental inefficiency compared to Rotary’s effective resource management, stating, “It often doesn’t require significant funds to address basic needs. Rotary accomplishes much with limited resources, demonstrating the importance of efficient management.”
He emphasised corruption as a significant drain on resources, observing that “in some nations, more than 70 percent of resources are lost to corruption.”
The past district governor proposed that the government needs a dual focus: changing its mindset and enforcing strict accountability.
“The government should prioritise the welfare of the people over personal interests. They can learn from Rotary’s motto, ‘Service Above Self.’ When corrupt leaders and civil servants are held accountable, progress will naturally follow,” he said.
