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By Bianca Iboma -Emefu
District Governor Bukola Bakare of Rotary International District 9111 has called on Rotarians to actively search communities for indigent patients needing free surgeries, stressing that people are dying daily from preventable diseases while help remains available at no cost.
Speaking during her official visit to the Rotary Club of Lagos West on August 11, Bakare emphasised that Rotary’s Mission for Vision programme, which includes thousands of prescription eyeglasses and cataract surgeries, is absolutely free. She directed members to identify those who need help and link them to partner facilities, including Redeemed medical centres, so restored sight can translate into economic independence rather than mere charity.
“People are dying daily due to diseases. The surgeries are free. Rotarians must go into the society, find those who need help, and ensure they take advantage of it,” the district governor stated.
The visit, hosted by the president, Joy Ani, featured concrete empowerment actions. The club presented grinding and sewing machines, equipping five indigent skilled artisans and petty traders with tools to strengthen their businesses and improve livelihoods. The activities form part of broader efforts supporting women and promoting community economic development.
Bakare’s call sits within her ambitious N1.4 billion humanitarian agenda for the 2026–2027 Rotary year. The flagship project is an N800 million, 60-bed Rotary Wellness Centre for mental health at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba. The facility is designed to confront the heavy stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly its gendered dimensions affecting women and girls, while ensuring long-term utilisation beyond the initial publicity.
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As the first female district governor of District 9111, Bakare continues to combine high-visibility infrastructure with grassroots interventions. Her administration prioritises free medical care for the indigent, skills empowerment for women and artisans, and measurable community impact across Lagos and Ogun States.
Ani said the club had conducted a needs assessment exercise to identify beneficiaries, stressing that the selection process was strictly needs-based.
She said the club provided startup tools, including sewing machines and grinding machines, to selected artisans and petty traders to enable them to improve their livelihoods.
Ani emphasized that the initiative represented a direct investment in people, aimed at reducing poverty and creating a ripple effect within the community.
The beneficiaries praised the initiative for supporting indigent individuals and their families, expressing appreciation for the assistance and its potential to improve their economic well-being.
