Today is yet another illuminating land mark in the annals of history of the Merger and vibrant Rotary Club of Lokoja Metro in Kogi State. This club was chartered in 2008 which makes me the 12th President of the Club. It has in this Rotary year achieved some sustainable humanitarian service to some communities in Lokoja.
Today is a landmark in the history of RC Lokoja Metro as we gather to the vision and mission of Rotary International and its seven areas of focus. This Presidency started its journey upon the foundation set by previous Rotary years since the club was chattered. Here we are opening doors of opportunities to men and women to render services to humanity.
This year, the club has renovated the Ministry of Mercy Orphanage, acquisition of the construction of recreational park, training and children development centre and Rotary House as the club’s signatory project. The good news is that we have gotten the approval of the Director General Bureau of Land and Urban Development for the allocation of land for the project. We need your support to achieve this for the sake of humanity.
In addition to these star projects, the Club has carried out free medical outreach programs, contributed and engaged largely in polio eradication in the country and is seeking partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Kogi State Sanitation and Waste Management Board on Sanitation and Waste Management in the State.
This address will not be completed if I fail to mention the current global challenges because of Covid 19. Rotary often find opportunities to serve in challenging situations like this. Therefore, we have designed a robust package as a service option toward alleviating the effect of the scourge in our society. This we were able to do during the lockdown in d state. Our star project falls under this category; on completion, more people would be able to access help through councelling services for various psychological problems associated with the scourge and skill development for self reliance.
I want to congratulate the Awardees, on the recorgnition accorded them for the good work they had done and will continue to do. This award is also to encourage you not to stop here, but to continue serving humanity and creating impact in promoting fairness, justice and peace in the world. To our special guests, you are our partners in service, and we acknowledge your profound support and contributions. May I also acknowledge the talented team of professional men and women who have been working with me tirelessly this Rotary year as my Board of Directors, together we have made a huge difference. To the Presidential Award Ceremony Committee, led by the able and dynamic Boss Lady, the Assistant District Governor Rotarian Grace Ben – Kato, its tasking being first of it kind, you make it happen, indeed you are a great Rotarian. You have done us proud by working hard to achieve this huge success. To our Club Assistant District Governor, Rotn Segir Mohammed, thank you for providing us the needed guidance and advice.
To Rotarian around the world especially those here today, all other guests here present, I thank you all for your support and as I go, I wish to remind you of the theme of this Rotary year, “Rotary Opens Opportunities” you can be the one to open that door and make a difference. Thank you all and God bless.