DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE FOR OCTOBER

 

I welcome you all to the month of October, a month that Rotary International has dedicated to Economic and Community Development and as I do that, permit me to congratulate us all on the 63^rd anniversary and celebration of our independence as a country, Nigeria. I have no doubt that we will pull through the enormous challenges facing us as a nation.  

I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all Rotarians who have continued to make donations and carry out our service to humanity seamlessly, despite all odds. May God bless you all abundantly as we continue to focus on all that we need to do to create hope in our communities and in the world. 

 

From Club to Club, I see that Our Rotarians are not deterred, and they kept doing live touching projects. The month of September which was the Basic Education and Literacy Month ended with my official visit to the 43^rd Club. I had the privilege of joining clubs to do presentation of educational materials to school children, refurbishment of schools and so many other educational projects. I must commend us for our spirit of giving and with the joy on the faces of school pupils, no doubts, it was a successful month.

 

We are in October; a quarter of this Rotary year is over; I urge Clubs to execute quality Community Projects that are remarkable and sustainable to mark the month of October. Rotarians are known for their passionate solutions to poverty alleviation, strengthening of local entrepreneurs and providing micro-credit to women and this month our Projects should not speak less as the clock has started ticking.

 

I had the opportunity of inducting many Rotarians during my official visits to Clubs and I saw few of them at the District Zonal Multi-Club Learning Seminar for Zones 3. 4 and 9 held at Mayfair Hall, Ikeja on the 28^{th of} September 2023. I commend all the Clubs that sent such new members to attend the Learning Seminar.

 

As at the end of September, we had a total of 135 new inductees reported by Clubs on My Rotary Portal.

I commend the drive I see on club Presidents and Rotarians to attract quality members to their clubs, and I plead that such new members be updated on my Rotary portal with Rotary International as soon as induction ceremonies are concluded.

 

I have no doubt, seeing what am seeing, that we shall deliver or surpass our goal on the 20% minimum membership growth for the Rotary year.

Kudos to all Rotarians.

 

 

Good hearted Rotarians have continued to support our Foundation not minding the economic challenges. We have a total of 125,507.17 dollars paid so far to the foundation as at 28^th of September 2023.

 

World Polio Day as we all know is 24^th of October, and as we celebrate World Polio Day, we are shining a spotlight on our commitment to Keep Polio @ Zero.

 

As a District and as Rotarians, we are committed to actively participate in Polio Immunization and increase our contributions towards complete Polio Eradication in the world.  I therefore encourage all Clubs to register for the Polio Day Event, while our Rotarians get ready for the planned Polio awareness Walk scheduled to hold in 3 areas as follows:

21^st October for Rotarians on the Lagos Mainland

28^th October for Rotarians on the Lagos Island and

29^th October for Rotarians in Abeokuta, Ogun States.

Through our commitment, generosity, and sheer determination, we will Keep Polio @ Zero.

 

I sincerely appreciate all the Rotarians that have donated and those that made pledges to The Rotary Foundation, while urging the rest of us not to relent in our giving efforts or be deterred by the economic circumstances, as the best is yet to come.

I plead with Rotarians that have made pledges to the foundation and or Polio plus society to please start redeeming such pledges if they have not already done so.

Not forgetting the challenge of minimum 1500 dollars to be paid by all clubs to the foundation towards Polio Eradication efforts. I plead with all clubs to make these payments accordingly.

 

Kindly also note, that payments in this month of October will be done with Rotary international rate for this month.

I pray that God will continually open its windows of blessings upon us his children to enable us to continue to serve humanity.

 

 

The first edition of the breakfast virtual Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) for the month of September was held on Saturday, 2^nd September 2023.

Watch out for the second edition of the breakfast virtual Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) for the month of October holding on Saturday, 7^th October 2023 between 8.30am – 10.00am. The panel discussion will be on “Elements of Community Economic Development” and “Stewardship and Financial Management of Microcredit Schemes”. You can’t afford to miss it.

 

Basic Education and Literacy month of September was very inspiring and interesting. Almost all the clubs did projects that reflected on the theme and support to education. Thank you, Rotarians, for all that you do.

 

More committees were inaugurated in the month of September, and they have since commenced with their plans for the Rotary year.

The On-To-Singapore Committee was also inaugurated, and the Committee will contact Rotarians as soon as possible to give more updates as per our visit to the Embassy. Kindly avail them the desired support.

 

 

Rotary Institute for Zone 22 Region 27 was held at the Mulungushi International Convention Center, Lusaka, Zambia from 4^th – 10^th September 2023.

 

It was an interesting outing as our District won Two (2) Trophies and Four (4) Certificates as follows:

 

         

 

 

We were the beautiful bride at the institute and the leaders present reminded us of our responsibilities to beat the mark this Rotary year as expected. This challenge is for us all, kindly donate generously to polio and to our foundation.

 

 

 

 

The first in the series of planned evening with the District Governor, tagged ‘’FUNTAINMENT ‘’ came up on Friday the 22^nd of September. As promised, it was the first of its kind in many ways and Rotarians present could testify to this.

The Atilogwu dance troupe and the Eyo Masquerades from Lagos added the desired colours to the event.

 

May I also use this medium to say thank you to AG Lolade Ogungbe and her committee members for that wonderful and well packaged evening of fun as we look forward with excitement to the next edition.

 

The 22^nd of September was a day set aside by the DG to show appreciation to all Rotarians and supporters of the district programmes and events this Rotary year and the July 15^th LEGENDS were not left out. They were hosted to a sumptuous but secluded outing full of fun, and special gifts handed out to them in appreciation of their special donations made in support of the Governors installation, as well as the committee members that also donated in cash and kind, planning for the event.

 

 

 

 

The second in the series of the planned DG Speaks for this Rotary year will hold this month of October. I was overwhelmed with Rotarians eagerness to join online during the first edition, and we will increase the allowable number on our links for this second edition in order to accommodate more Rotarians as it promises to be very interactive.

 

I congratulate all our Club Presidents and their members for the over whelming publicity drive being undertaken at all levels. Our stories are all over the social media space, print media and Television stations.

 

Please do not relent on your efforts, LET’S KEEP TELLING OUR COMPELLING STORIES AT ALL TIMES.

 

I am very proud of you all my Presidents and Love you Loads!!

 

 

 

This will hold on Wednesday, 4^th October 2023 at the Keystone Bank Rotary Hall of Fame, Rotary Centre by 10.00am. The Chairman of the Awards and Recognition putting this event together is PP Ibironke Ogun.

 

I look forward to your active participation in this seminar, which promises to be informative and inspiring. It is an excellent opportunity to make your Club win awards this Rotary year.

 

 

 

The District Governor will lead other Rotarians to Jordan/Israel for a Leadership and Business Tourism from 12^th – 20^th October 2023. This being one of the first-ever District Leadership & Business delegations to 2 Cities: Jordan and Israel; connecting with leaders in Manufacturing, Hospitality, Real Estate, Oil & Gas Industries, etc.

We will also take advantage of our presence in the holy land to return as Jerusalem Pilgrims.

 

I like to appreciate PAG Uyi Sowobi , the chairman of this committee and all its members for their relentless efforts in putting this program together.

 

 

 

 

Kindly note that October is dedicated to Economic and community Development. Let us strive to carry out impactful projects that will empower the less privileged members of our communities and publicize same with action pictures as much as possible, creating awareness.

 

Once again, I wish us all a happy 63^rd independence anniversary and I thank you as we continue to join hands to Create Hope in the World.

 

 

District Governor