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By Vivian Onyebukwa
Lanre Adedoyin has urged Nigerians to continue to take the challenges in their strides by being more focused in what they do. He stated this in Lagos during his installation as the District Governor, Rotary International, District 9112, Nigeria.
He stated how challenging it is to live in Nigeria, but will be better for it with vibrant ideas, good strategic, and critical planning.
He said: “We should continue to develop ourselves even internally and see where we can look out for some businesses and opportunities for us to grow and mitigate the challenges that we have.”
The new District Governor, who has been in the organisation for more than two decades, promised to use his wealth of experience to further move the association forward despite the current economic situation. “I have learnt a lot. I have gone through the rudiments and I am prepared to lead with integrity, serve with passion, commitment and dedication.”
According to him, his projects will be focused on maternal and child health as well as basic education and literacy. “These two projects apart from the seven areas of focus of Rotary International, has exhibited impactful and sustainable projects in our communities all over the world.”
He assured that although funding is always a major challenge given the economic situation of the country, but will definitely overcome the challenge with concerted efforts and support from wishers, corporate organisations, and donors. He commended the usual collaboration between Rotary and state governments all over Nigeria, particularly the collaboration in their district which consist of Lagos and Ogun states.
“It is a partnership that has been working for us which we intend to sustain and continue for the benefit of our organisation as benefit of people that we serve,” he stated.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group of companies, represented by Captain Ibrahim Olugbade, in his opening remarks, applauded Rotary International, saying that with over 1.2m membership across the globe, the organisation has shown exceptional leadership in bridging the gap and providing necessary interventions in health, education, disease control, protection of environment, provision of clean water and other, among others.
He said: “This organisation provides these services in other to bridge the gap where governments limited resources cannot provide these services to the communities.”
He spoke highly of the newly installed Governor Rotary International, District 9112 saying: “He is not only passionate about humanitarian service and supporting the vulnerable, he is also a man of vision. I’m confident that under his stewardship, District 9112 will raise greater heights that will serve as a benchmark for other clubs to emulate.”
He commended him for his leadership, sacrifice and passion he brought into the organisation, and pledged his continued support to the club, and prayed for unity and growth to the district during his tenure.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, represented by Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said: “His appointment as the District Governor comes as a truly pivotal moment in the history of Rotary District 9112. Over the years, Lanre Adedoyin has demonstrated an unwavering passion, uplifting lives through impactful projects and collaborative efforts. Under his stewardship, we, as a state, are confident that Rotary’s mission, will not only be sustained, but elevated from precedented levels of effectiveness and reach. His visionary approach promises to inspire innovative initiatives that address pressing certain urgent needs with creativity and passion. His ability to build a true partnership between government agencies, private sector, stake holders, civil society and Rotary clubs, will undoubtedly amplify the collective impact of Rotary’s work. With him, working in health, education, youth empowerment and community development, will gain the need momentum, touch more lives and force a sustainable progress.”
Sanwo-Olu assured him that his government will offer deep support and collaboration so as to keep creating lasting solutions that address the challenges and build a future for generations to come.
The immediate Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9112, Olufemi Adenekan, recounted the achievements and challenges he experienced during his tenure. “I made some promises about a year ago to the people of Nigeria to do certain projects and to impact our community possibly. Some of them we were able to achieve, while some we could not.”
Part of his achievement, he said, was the planting of 5000 coconut trees. He expressed gratitude to the Lagos State governor, Sanwo Olu for supporting them with 3,000 seedlings of cocoanut trees which they planted at different locations in Lagos.
They also delivered a vocational training centre for the people of Lagos and Ogun states to help reduce unemployment, support employment creation, and help support and improve the world for better.
“The vocational centre was built in Odumolu. It is strategically located in Epe, about 15 minutes from Ijebu Ode which is still part of Lagos. It was built within three months and two weeks valued at N325 million,” Olufemi Adenekan stated.
They also played a part in returning 500 out- of-school primary school children from different parts of Lagos and Ogun states to the classroom after COVID-19 pandemic. In the health sector, the immediate Past District Governor said that the organisation supported the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital through the donation of medical facilities to augment the services they would render to those who would come and won’t be able to pay for their consumable and other necessary things.
He attributed the rate of exchange which, affected them so much, as a major challenge. Some members too, could not keep to some of the promised they made in supporting the year. He expressed hope that things would continue to improve, and also hope to continue to partner with Lagos and Ogun state governments to deliver service to the communities to complement their efforts in all their seven areas of focus. “We thank them and all our partners, hoping that they will continue to support Rotary.”
He, therefore, advised the new governor to have faith in God to succeed. “Work with people and motivate them,” he added.
Tolulope Onolaja, chairman of the installation committee, expressed her expectations from the newly inaugurated District Governor. “I have worked with him in various committees. He is a fantastic Rotarian. He has been in Rotary since 1993 and has served Rotary diligently before attaining the position of District Governor. There is no doubt that he is going to deliver, because he is a seasoned Rotarian, a legal practitioner and a gentleman to the core. So we are looking forward to having a beautiful Rotary year.”
Some of the personalities who attended the event include HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, ably represented by a good number of Egba Chiefs and Alhj Raheem Adedoyin, among others.
