By Emmanuel Oloniruha
A former District Governor of Rotary International, Dr Goddy Nnadi, has urged leaders at all levels of government in Nigeria to adopt a people-centred approach to governance by ensuring that public budgets address the practical needs of citizens.
Nnadi made the call on Wednesday at the Rotary Club of Abuja (The Grandfather) Handover Fellowship in Abuja.
The event marked the transition of leadership from the club’s 42nd President, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, to the newly inaugurated President, Mr Terver Uza.
Nnadi said governance should be driven by service to the people, irrespective of political affiliation or voting patterns.
“Government is about service to the people. Those elected into office must ensure that available resources are used to meet the needs of the people,” he said.
He urged leaders at the local, state and federal levels to maximise available resources to improve grassroots communities rather than apportion blame over administrative responsibilities.
According to him, ordinary citizens bear the greatest burden when public infrastructure is neglected.
In his valedictory address, Oyebanji urged members to sustain the club’s spirit of fellowship and continue to serve as beacons of hope in their communities.
He said the club executed 15 projects during his tenure, with the Sight Solution Programme serving as its flagship project.
Oyebanji explained that the initiative, initially conceived as a fully equipped eye care centre, was redesigned to support treatment at existing health facilities in Abuja to ensure sustainability.
He said the club conducted eye screening for residents of Kabusa, its adopted community, under the programme’s primary tier.
According to him, the second tier provided prescribed medication and 100 reading glasses to beneficiaries, while the third tier sponsored eye surgeries for 15 patients.
“We also identified 15 additional people who were approved for surgeries ranging from cataract to glaucoma because we believe the eye is the light of the body,” he said.
Oyebanji added that the club emerged first in overall Foundation giving and also received an Excellence Award for Disease Prevention and Treatment.
He urged members to continue supporting the incoming president with their Three Ts—Talent, Treasure and Time.
Receiving the mantle of leadership, Uza pledged to uphold Rotary’s philosophy of ‘Service Above Self’ throughout the 2026/2027 Rotary year.
“I accept this responsibility with a clear understanding that leadership is not about one individual; it is about all of us working together, united by a common purpose,” he said.
He called on members to remain committed to the club’s ideals and encouraged more public-spirited individuals to join the Rotary family in advancing humanitarian service.
Earlier, a prominent Rotarian, Mrs Cordelia Ukwuoma, delivered a keynote address titled “Torch of Service: From One Hand to Another,” urging members to look beyond themselves and make a lasting impact on society.
She described the annual handover as an important tradition that promotes accountability and continuity, adding that Rotary’s leadership succession exemplifies democratic practice.
“Rotary practises one of the best forms of democracy. No matter how well a president performs, he or she must hand over after one year. There is no room for tenure extension,” she said.
Also speaking, the District Governor Nominee, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, reaffirmed the district’s support for the club and expressed confidence that the chapter would continue to thrive under Uza’s leadership.
The Zonal Coordinator, Zone One, Kenny Okorie, commended the club’s impactful projects and described Oyebanji as an intentional and passionate leader.
She said awards alone did not define leadership, noting that all the club’s presidents had worked tirelessly to support her office throughout the year.
Okorie pledged her continued support to the incoming administration to sustain the club’s record of impactful community service. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade