Rotary To Promote Literacy, WASH, Empower Students In Abuja

Rotary Club of Abuja Garki Neighborhood has expressed readiness to sustain and escalate efforts to enhance literacy, health, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), community development, and environmental sustainability initiatives within the Rotary Year 2024-2025 calendar.

President, Rotary Club of Abuja Garki Neighborhood, for Rotary Year 2024-2025, Rotn Olukunmi Akinbiyi who made this known yesterday in a press briefing and handover ceremony, said that the new Rotary year themed: ‘Magic of Rotary’ is to harness the magic to address some of the most pressing issues facing communities.

Akinbiyi said that it reflects Rotary’s transformative power and symbolises the incredible impact people can make when they come together, leveraging their diverse skills and resources to serve humanity, thereby improving lives and communities.

“We aim to enhance literacy rates by supporting schools with resources, scholarships to needy students, and mentorship programs. Our club will partner with local educational institutions as we have done to provide vocational training, empowering students with skills for better employment opportunities.

“Ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities remains a priority. We plan to entrench our community’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program this Rotary year.

“We will undertake projects to install wash-hand sinks and educate communities on hygiene practices. We will support local businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women and widows, through microfinance initiatives and training programs,” he said.

He said that the club will promote environmental conservation by organising tree planting drives and campaigns and will support initiatives to reduce plastic waste and promote recycling.

“The magic of Rotary lies in our ability to inspire and engage the community. We will strengthen our outreach efforts to involve more people in our projects and foster a spirit of volunteerism.

“We aim to amplify our impact and ensure sustainable development through partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and government bodies. Empowering our members is crucial to achieving these goals.

“We will focus on financing member engagement through training sessions, workshops, and fellowship activities. By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of our club,” he said.

The district governor-nominee Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, while appreciating the Rotary members for their unwavering commitment and support for the outgoing president, stressed that their contributions have set a strong foundation for them to build upon.

Akinbiyi took over the baton of leadership from Rotarian Adeoye Aderogba, who successfully rounded up the 2023-2024 Rotary year.