Ronke Kehinde/
Torchbearers of Rotary International led by former Minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, gathered in Lagos on July 3rd to espouse the ideals of the 114-year-old Nonprofit Organization, founded in the United States by Paul P. Harris, and install its new President at Yaba under District 9110.
It was a 3-in-1 event held at Hocal Suite, within the premises of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, on Edmond Crescent, Yaba, as the outgoing president of the club, Rotarian Mosur Sulaimon, ceremonially passed on the baton to Rotarian (Prince) Tunji Akin-Adarijo as the club inducted new members and celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of District 9110 which comprises Lagos and Ogun states.
Rotary International, which boasts of 1.22million members in the world, is a service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world.
This message was the central theme of the one-hour ceremony that was spiced with lively activities.
“As a Rotarian, you must have time and you must spend your money to execute the projects you envisage for your community,” Prince Akin-Adarijo said while delivering his inaugural address.
He appealed to members to rededicate themselves to the ideals of Rotary Club, cooperate with attendance, payment of annual dues, and make the Sergeant-at-Arms very buoyant.
He pledged to bring back the Rotary Club of Yaba into the limelight as one of the best.
He said that meetings would be held and awards would be given on a weekly and monthly basis, even as he promised to institute an annual awards ceremony and invite Guest Speakers to talk on health and other important issues.
He shared an experience of the warm reception he received years back at an all-white members club in London on his first visit to the United Kingdom.
“I was welcomed like an ambassador of Nigeria,” he said.
He had a ready-made answer for those who might ask why anyone should join the Rotary Club. He said, “If anybody asks you what is the benefit of being a Rotarian, just answer that besides being a member of a prestigious club, heaven helps those who help themselves. As you give to the needy, God Almighty too will reward you abundantly.”
Rotarian Muritala Gbolahan Bankole, who stood in for the District Governor, spoke more on what the Rotary Club is all about and how the members have been addressing challenges around the world.
He recalled how it had all started with the vision of one man called Paul Harris, a Chicago Attorney who formed the Rotary Club on February 23, 1905, so that professionals with diverse background would exchange ideas, form meaningful life-long friendship and give back to their communities.
“Rotary came from the group’s early practice of rotating their meetings. They met in rotation and because of that they are called Rotary,” Rotarian Bankole said.
He spoke about the ongoing commitment of Rotary Club to the eradication of polio, which according to him is almost completely eradicated.
He revealed that the first donation received by Rotary Foundation in 1917 was $26:50 and the first aid given by the foundation to the International Society of Crippled Children was $500.
“At the Rotary Club of Yaba, as we grow old, like vintage wine, we get better,” Rotarian Bankole said. “People see Rotary as standard bearer. Rotary operates through a foundation known as the Rotary Foundation. That’s where Rotary puts all its energy to do charity in the whole world.
“Rotary is perhaps the one single organization in the world that has done for 114 years the same thing in different places all around the globe. Every minute, there is a Rotary meeting going on. You will be a member of 1.2million volunteers who are Good Samaritans doing good things in the world.”
He also spoke on how to get involved.
He said, “You have to join Rotary. And the only qualification is that you submit your talent, your treasure, your time, and, maybe, your thinking because Rotary requires qualitative approach to human issues.”
He went on to identify the areas of engagements that concern Rotary Club as the 3Hs – Humanity, Health, and Hunger, which according to him have been regrouped into six areas of concerns.
“The first one is that Rotary exists first to solve what we call health problems, including maternal health care for vulnerable people. The second is literacy. The problem of humanity is based on not illiteracy but ignorance.
“Human beings by their very nature have insatiable desire to accumulate money. And when you accumulate the money, and it gets into your head, you would even have forgotten that this bowl of food that is served to you, if two of you eat it, you’ll still be as happy as if you have ate it. So Rotary says to you, don’t eat this bowl of food alone; share it with somebody. That’s what Rotary is about.
“As we speak now, Rotary is only meant for Professional people who are united in the ideals of service. Unless you have that giving heart, even if you are as rich as Dangote you may find it difficult to part with N10,” he said.
Rotarian Bankole who has been in the club for 37 years mentioned that there are 2000 members in 110 clubs under District 9110.
According to him, Rotary’s Philosophy is that of all religions.
“The same Rotary you are seeing here is the Philosophy of all age-long faiths. The cardinal principle of Rotary is based on the 4-Way test of the things we think, say or do: Is it the Truth? – Integrity; Is it Fair to all concerned? – Diversity; Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? – Selfless service; Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
“It has some elements of internationality. Once you’re in Rotary, you’re a friend to 1.2million people. The doors are open for you any time, everywhere, and you could always be associated with. Rotary has the Young, the Not Too Young, and the Young at Heart. Baba Ogunkelu is here and he won’t look down on anyone.
“Rotary has a family tree. If you’re in Rotary, your children could be Rotaractors if they are in Secondary schools and then your other children could be Interactors if they are in Primary schools.”
In the course of the event, Dr Ogunkelu assisted in the induction of new members.
The ceremony ended with an American Auction handled by Rotarian Past President Niyi Odusanya as delicacies were served and the Sergeant-at-Arms, Past President Tosin Umar, played her role of raising money to the satisfaction of all concerned.
