Rotary International District 9110, which covers Lagos and Ogun States in Nigeria, has received tremendous accolades for raising $842,000 as total giving so far for The Rotary Foundation.
The cheering news was broken by Rotary Trustee, Geta Manek at the Rotary Team Training Seminar ( RTTS) which ended in Madagascar over the weekend.
According to her, District 9110 donated $491, 250 to Annual Giving, $149, 642 to Polio Fund, $104,209 for Endowment Giving and $97,601 in other funds making the District by far the highest fund-raising District in Rotary Zone 22.
Director of Rotary Zone 21 and 22, Rtn. Patrick Chisanga expressed excitement over the great achievement of District 9110, he said that when he urged Rotarians to Imagine the future of Rotary in Africa at his maiden speech in July 2022, his aim was to inspire everyone to do more in all ramifications.
He added jocularly that he was not surprised that District 9110 led by a woman , Rtn Omotunde Lawson, for the first time in its 42 year history in the same year that Rotary was having its first International President, Jennifer Jones in over 100 years, has achieved this feat.
Director Patrick said the achievement was testament to the tenacity and strength of women, noting that they have continually shown capacity and helped Rotary to do more good in the world.
In her reaction, Rtn Omotunde Lawson, District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, thanked God and Rotarians for this monumental achievement.
She said that the 2022-23 Rotary year has delivered many impactful projects in Lagos and Ogun States, and the immense donation to the Rotary Foundation was one of them.
She urged Rotarians not to rest on their oars as her target was actually $ 1 million while thanking Clubs for also participating in The Rotary Foundation through District and Global Grants
The District Governor also thanked the 15 Clubs who participated in the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) Global Grant project, which was processed from last year under District Governor, Remi Bello.
She noted that the project also had an element for distribution of sanitary pads to young girls which increased its impact.
She said projects like this are evidence of the wonderful work and effect of The Rotary Foundation in communities across the globe and show Rotarians as People of Action.
She noted that The Rotary Foundation is the best platform for people to donate their funds because it is the simplest way of achieving philanthropic goals whether it is in support of clean water, the eradication of polio, maternal and child health, environment or other worthy life-changing and impactful causes.
The District Governor added that the Foundation has consistently received the highest possible score from Charity Navigator (100 points) for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.