Rotary International District 9112 has outlined activities and projects to mark the one-week Rotary 120th anniversary from February 17 to 23 in Lagos. Speaking yesterday at a press conference to commence the activities for the anniversary in Lagos, the Governor of Rotary International District 9112, Olufemi Adenekan, highlighted the district’s extensive humanitarian efforts and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving lives across Nigeria.

He listed investments in maternal and child health, disease prevention, education, economic empowerment, and environmental protection. Adenekan revealed that Rotary had invested over $2 million this year in its Maternal and Child Health Programme, for communities with high infant and maternal mortality rates.

According to him, the programme, championed by Rotary leaders, focuses on providing essential healthcare and resources to vulnerable mothers and children.

In addition, he said the Rotary Action for Family Health initiative, funded with a $9 million grant from the Rotary Foundation, was active in selected areas across Nigeria.

The governor also reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication, noting that the organisation had spent over $40 million to eliminate the disease in Nigeria.

Despite Rotary’s strong presence in Nigeria since 1961, Adenekan acknowledged the need for increased membership. With only about 8,000 Rotarians in a country of over 220 million people, he called for more Nigerians to embrace Rotary’s values of friendship, integrity, diversity, leadership, and service.

The Chairman of the 120th Anniversary Committee, Gboyega Bada, gave details of the weeklong programme, which included youth-focused engagements, global webinars, community outreach, an award night, a commemorative walk, and the unveiling of a landmark edifice.