DRR MESSAGE- SEPTEMBER 2023.

Dear Esteemed Rotaractors,

I welcome you all to the new month of September. This month carries a special significance within Rotary International as it has been designated as the Month of Basic Education and Literacy.

The arrival of September is not just a transition in our calendars but a transition in our purpose. This month is our call to action, a time when we focus our collective efforts on a cause close to our hearts - Basic education and literacy. It's a time when we honour the fundamental importance of learning, of reading and writing, and of opening doors to a brighter future. As Rotaractors, we hold the power to empower others through education, and September reminds us of this privilege and responsibility.

Before we dive into the opportunities of September, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each one of you for your outstanding contributions and dedication during the month of August. We achieved remarkable milestones, different committees organizing various outstanding seminars and events, Thank you all for your support. One standout event was the Kingsman Investiture Ceremony. Your enthusiastic participation and support in this fundraising event were truly commendable.

To our key leaders who have played an instrumental role in the remarkable achievements of the past month - August.

Club Presidents, Zonal Representatives and Assistant District Representatives: Your tireless efforts to connect with and support our clubs, both large and small, have not gone unnoticed. Your dedication to the district's goals has been instrumental in our collective success.

I would also like to give special recognition to the following teams for their exceptional efforts:

The We Care Team: Your commitment has been commendable. Your initiatives and support have made a significant difference in the lives of our members.

The Investiture Committee: Your dedication in organizing the Kingsman Investiture Ceremony was outstanding. It was a successful fundraising event, thanks to your hard work.

The Rotary Foundation Team: Your relentless pursuit of excellence in supporting our foundation's work is highly appreciated. Your contributions help Rotary make a lasting impact worldwide.

The Public Image Team: Your efforts in enhancing our district's public image have not gone unnoticed. Your creative work is essential in conveying the message of Rotary's service to our communities.

As we enter September, there are several significant events that demand our full participation as Rotaractors. These events offer opportunities for personal and community growth, networking, and service. They are the tangible ways we put our commitment to what we do.

Here's a list of these important activities:

September 2: Membership Seminar in Ogun State
September 15: Renewable Energy Summit by the Italian Embassy
September 16: World Clean Up Day in partnership with Let's Do It and Green Janitors
September 20: Mental Health Seminar on Stress Management by the We Care Team
September 21: Lagos Career Summit 3.0 (Basic Education and Literacy)
September 22 - 23: Great Trek
Stock Up a child project (Date to be announced soon)

Your active participation in these events is not just encouraged; it's vital. Each one of you contributes to the success of our Rotaractor community and our collective impact on the world. Together, we can make a real difference in promoting education and literacy, in serving our communities, and in shaping a better future.

Thank you for your continued dedication, and I look forward to the great strides we will make together in this new month.

Yours in Service

Rtr Abisogun, Mujib Olamilekan
District Rotaract Representative
Rotary International District 9110

DG MESSAGE- SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Fellow Rotarian,
Two months already gone!

From the blast of the whistle on July 1st till date, it has been success stories all the way, particularly during the month of August.

I wish to appreciate Clubs that paid their full District dues promptly and also paid the semi annual dues to Rotary international. If you are yet to pay your dues, kindly do so before the cut off date of September 18th as this is the first step towards winning a Presidential CITATION.

May I also use this medium to appreciate clubs for your generous donations to our DEWEF.

CLUB VISITATION

Visits to Clubs continued to be as effective as it should be and for the month of August a total of 21 Clubs were visited; making it a total of 34 Clubs visited till date. The Clubs visited are very effective and carrying out impactful projects in their communities, most of the Clubs’ continued projects in the area of child and maternal health, and generally in all areas of focus.

I wish to appreciate all the clubs so far visited for the wonderful reception accorded us and to also congratulatethem for the impactful projects so far done, and plead that these projects and achievements be updated on the Rotary Club Central continually.

In the same vein, I thank Clubs who have taken the issues of Public Image seriously and given their projects and investiture ceremonies the desired publicity. It is in doing this that we can tell our stories and showcase to the whole world the goodness of Rotary.

MEMBERSHIP

The Membership Seminar held on Wednesday, 9th August, 2023, in Abeokuta despite the heavy downpour was a huge success with over 188 persons physically present and about 64 Rotarians attending virtually. No doubts Rotarians left satisfied as the array of facilitators assembled by the District Learning Committee make it worth the while for them.

Clubs followed up this seminar with series of membership talks across the Districts like never before, No doubt, it’s been a very busy month for our District leaders and resource persons. I thank you all for your selfless services.

I also had the privilege of personally inducting a total of about 25 Rotarians across the Clubs visited. As at the end of August we had a total of Sixty-Six (66) new inductees reported through Rotary Club Central. Therefore, I plead with our Club Presidents to report and update their membership status with Rotary International as soon as induction ceremonies are concluded.

I have no doubt that the Clubs are poised to ensure that as a District, we deliver on the 20% minimum membership growth for the Rotary year.

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

The exchange rate scare continued during the month of August. But despite the challenges, your resilience and continued act of giving as shown during my visits is quite exceptional and I pray that God blesses you more abundantly.

You did not just commit or pledge your support but you actually made transfers and on the spot payments to The Rotary Foundation accounts to show solidarity of purpose

Many Major Donors have been made from different Clubs and many more continued to pay to become Paul Harris Fellows and /or advance to the next level. It is also worthy of note, that the AKS members and Endowment gifts were not left out as they equally did their bits accordingly.

So far, a total of $90,465.16 was contributed to The Rotary Foundation during the month of August.

The enthusiasm exhibited by Rotarians during my Club visits, left me with no doubt, that our District will achieve the set target of $1.2m as contribution/donations to The Rotary Foundation during the year.

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

SERVICE PROJECTS

During the month of August, Rotary Clubs continued to deliver impactful projects across all the 7 areas of focus and these projects continued to attract commendations from Lagos to Ogun States and all around. From the excitement and tears of joy on the faces of the beneficiaries, I can say confidently that our Clubs are doing very well.

I will advise further that such laudable projects should be uploaded on the Rotary Showcase on My Rotary Portal and adequate publicity made in the public space. I wish to equally re-iterate further that as we do the projects, we should ensure our projects cover all the 7 areas of focus to win the presidential citation.

COMMITTEES INAUGURATIONS

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

Rotary Sports Festival Committee (ROSFEST), the first of its kind in our District was also inaugurated and saddled with the responsibilities of organizing an inter Club Sports festivities across the Districts with the final Sports Festival coming up between March 8 and 9, 2024. The committee will contact the Clubs as soon as possible to give more updates. Kindly avail them the desired support.

PUBLIC IMAGE

The First in the series of the planned DG Speaks for this Rotary year was held on Monday, 7th August, 2023. This is usually planned to be a virtual event but we were overwhelmed with Rotarians eagerness to join online, we had the online limit of 100 Rotarians and we had to quickly switch to YouTube to enable Rotarians connect with the ongoing discussions with me, the YouTube eventually accommodated over additional 35 Rotarians with the exception of those that gave up trying.

Let me apologize to those who could not join and assure them that we would do all we can before the next edition to increase the allowable number on our links and possibly make it a hybrid event to accommodate those that can drive to join me at the District office.

Kudos to all our Club Presidents and Its 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 and Love you Loads!!

PARTNERSHIP

ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN PHYSICIANS IN THE AMERICAS (ANPA)

In company with the DGE and DGN of expected Districts 9111 and 9112, we received the President of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Dr Chinyere Anyaogu and her team member in Nigeria, at the District Office on Wednesday, 16th August, 2023. Principal among the discussion held with the team is a review of their last year mission and a review of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The updated MOU, NOW REVIEWED to cover from 1stJuly, 2023 to 30th June, 2026 (3 Rotary years) will be ready for signature very soon.

Looking forward to more valuable and rewarding partnerships accordingly.

YOUTH SERVICES

From my Club visits I could confirm that so many Rotary Clubs are doing well in Youth Services. I urge the Clubs to please make roasters for members to attend the meetings of their Rotaract and Interact Clubs.

Let me equally remind you of the upcoming hosting of all African Rotaract Summit this Rotary year in Lagos. It will come up between November 23-26. I ask for your support in making this a huge success.

CONCLUSION

As we begin the third month of the Rotary year, which is dedicated to Basic Education and Literacy. Let us strive to carry out impactful projects and publicize same with action pictures as much as possible. According to Herbert Spencer, “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action”.

I thank you as we continue to join hands to Create Hope in the World.

Rotarian Ifeyinwa Ejezie FCS, CRM

District Governor

RI PRESIDENT MESSAGE - JULY, 2023.

Even as we face new and serious challenges, Rotary takes care of its members and those we serve, works to build lasting peace, and embeds belonging and inclusion in everything we do. That is why I am asking everyone in Rotary to Create Hope in the World.

This year, we’re prioritizing projects to support mental health. This effort is deeply personal to me. I know what it’s like to see someone suffer in silence. I have also witnessed the power of personal connections, the value of discussing emotional and mental well-being, and the lifesaving impact of preventive care and treatment.

Research shows that performing acts of kindness is an effective step any of us can take to protect our well-being. And by building peace within, we become more capable of bringing peace to the world.

Building peace is the essence of Rotary. Many of our service projects foster the conditions for Positive Peace. We work tirelessly to overcome barriers and create new connections. This year, we’ll promote virtual international exchanges for members to strengthen those vital connections.

Peace isn’t a dream, and it’s not passive. It’s the result of working hard, earning trust, and having open conversations that may be difficult. Peace must be waged persistently — and bravely. Everything we do across our areas of focus has the potential to foster the hope that can make peace possible.

The spirit of connection and purpose should inspire every Rotary member. When club leaders focus on offering an excellent club experience, we retain more members and attract more prospective members. We must make our clubs as welcoming and as engaging as we can.

Our goal is to create a sense of belonging, from our club meetings to our service activities. We need to continue creating inclusive, welcoming environments where everyone can be their authentic selves. All people of action need to be able to imagine a place for themselves in Rotary — it’s up to us to ensure they can do so.

Over the next year, I will be putting a focus on continuing our journey in diversity, equity, and inclusion — ensuring that Rotary reflects the communities we serve and continues to take significant steps toward accessing the full range of human talents and experiences, so that we can better serve humanity. And we will continue to empower women and girls by helping them unlock the potential already within them.

As we begin this journey together, I take inspiration from Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, who in the 18th century spoke of all the world becoming kin, promoting “sense and worth, over all the earth.” This has long been my call to action, and I share it now with you.

Let us build peace within and spread it freely. Let us create belonging and imagine the future of Rotary afresh. Let us work together joyously and Create Hope in the World.