The newly elected President of the Rotary Club of Surulere Western Avenue District 9110, Mr Akim Lamidi, has called on all well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to increase humanitarian services to give hope to the poor and better the country.
Speaking during his investiture/installation ceremony as the 6th President of the Rotary Club in Lagos, Lamidi, said that the statistics of the needy had kept rising in various communities.
Promising to build on the achievements of the past rotary year, Lamidi said the theme for the year 2023/2024 “Create Hope” was apt for current situation worldwide.
The president requested support to achieve his seven projects which include promoting peace’ fighting disease, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene’ saving children’s support education, grow economies and support the environment.
“With many needy people in different communities, the Rotary will offer support and create hope to make lives better in every way it can.
“Today, with the support of everyone here, Rotary Club will be more strengthened to focus and increase our humanitarian services and to increase awareness globally.
“Today marks the continuation of incredible journey so far for our club and the official hand-over,” Lamidi said.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the capacity, Lamid pledged to be dedicated to the cause of Rotary, “just as I have shown commitment over the past years since I was first inducted into the club.”
“Our primary duty is to help the less privilege in the society using our God given talents, time, treasure and thinking. Our service to humanity globally defines who we are,” he said.
Lamidi highlighted some of the projects plan for Rotary Year 2023/2024, embarked to include tree planting projects and distribution of books in schools, donation of mosquito nets at Primary Healthcare Centres as well as renovation of the centres.
He said that others included donation of equipment, vocational training for employed communty people, donation of waste bins to market for environmental sanitisation.
The president also listed supply of drugs to health centre for Rotary family Health Day, collaborations with other clubs for mental health activities and coconut tree planting in schools and parts of projects..
Lamidi, who promised his readiness to work hard, therefore, appealed to fellow Rotarians and guests to ensure that contributions to the foundation and make a life better.
“Please let us share what God has given us with others, thereby creating hope in the world and making a visible difference. This is who we are. This Is what we do.
“We know that the more we give of ourselves, the more we are likely to receive and the more hope is created in the lives of others,” Lamidi said.
Meanwhile, Outgone President, Ms Adewunmi Ogundeyi, in her valedictory speech, outlined her performance while in office.
Ogundeyi said the club had to deal with a rapid succession of important situations and her period had been a most eventful.
According to her, leading the club has been a lot like running a small business with the aim of achieving a goal, and with volunteers who form the backbone of the communities.
“As outgoing President it has been a steep learning curve. I have had to manage the governance issue, balance the dynamics of meetings, and try and lead by example.
“Every step along this journey has stretched us as a club, meant we have tackled new issues,” Ogundeyi said.
He said that the club had contributed towards many local, regional, and Intemational causes to include tree planting as well as Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) wherein we sponsored student from our interact Club school at Glory Point Secondary School
“We donated drugs and mosquito nets to prevent Malaria in the community, sharing of exercise books , supporting women in activity of rotary, we were able to hold a super medical outreach during the Club’s Rotary Family Health Days,
“Our club now has a good standing both at Rotary International and Rotary District 9110 wherein we were able to attract more active members and clearing of all the club outstanding at the District and Rotary International.
“These has been my primary aims and objective and I’m glad we were able to achieve same,” she said.
She also urged the President to do more better than she performed by ensuring more projects in all the areas of focus of Rotary to advance its service to humanity in the community.
In her remarks, Ms Temitope Oniwinde, Chairperson, Investure/Installation Committee, said that Rotary Club of Surulere, Western Avenue, since inception had grown from strength to strength in execution of impactful projects.
Oniwinde said: “The mandate of the committee is to ensure a successful investiture of the 6th President of the Rotary Club of Surulere Western Avenue.
“We appeal to our distinguished guests, Rotarians and friends of rotary to help in raising a reasonable fund to execute projects that will impact lives of many.” (NAN)
