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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Rotary Club of Ibadan has selected no fewer than 100 vulnerable girls to benefit from a project aimed at catering for the welfare of girls who had suffered adversities in the course of their development.
The new installed president of the club, Rotarian Kolawole Shittu Adebisi made this known on Thursday evening during his investiture ceremony as 62nd president at Iyaganku, Ibadan.
According to Adebisi, the project which is tagged, “Ajoke” means ‘A girl child to be nurtured by all’. He added that the project “Ajoke” is meant to cater for the basic and health needs of at least, hundred girls school children who are from poor background or had suffered any form of adversities in the course of their development.
Adebisi noted that the decision on the project was informed by the President of Rotary International, Gordion McNally who selected the theme, “Create Hope for the world” for 2023/2024 Rotary year.
He added: “In making the theme of the year a reality, McNally encouraged Rotarians to focus on mental health as depression and its attendant effects which are prevalent everywhere in the world.
“Furthermore, the District Governor 2023/2024 charged Rotary Clubs in the district to focus on a girl child for the current Rotary year”.
According to Adebisi, Rotary Club of Ibadan coincidentally conceived “Ajoke” as signatory project for the current year noting that the project will improve the health, both mental and physical wellbeing, education and Economic security of objectively selected girls.
Corroborating him, the guest speaker, Dr. Adesoji Tayo noted that the decision by Rotary Club of Ibadan will bring new strength and stability to families. He added that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish and communities and nations will do as well.
According to him, women comprise more than half the world’s population but unfortunately, they are about 70 percent of the world’s poor, and two-thirds of those who are not taught to read and write.
“From today, be against gender bias. Gender bias is undermining our social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just a human right issue but it is a tremendous waste of the world’s human capital potential. By denying women their rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest”, Adesoji revealed.
