Front: Membership Chairperson, Rotary Club of Maryland, Rtn Tunde Ojo (left); Member, Rtn. Victoria Obi; President of the club, Rtn. Bidemi Maruf Bello and his wife, Mrs Ganiat Bello; District Governor of Rotary District 9111, Rtn. Henry Akinyele. Standing: New members of the club, Rtn. Jelili Saka (left); Rtn Damilola Adeyunka and Managing Director of Denaro Homes, Rtn Jide Ogunleye at the club’s investiture ceremony at the weekend.

The Rotary Club of Maryland, District 9111, has installed Bidemi Bello as its 24th president.

The new leadership equally rolled out a N108 million development agenda for the 2025/2026 service year.

Announcing the plans during the club’s investiture ceremony, induction of board members, and fundraising event, Bello said the projects span water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, and environmental sustainability.

Bello revealed that the club had hit the ground running since July 1, 2025, beginning with the complete renovation of the Maternity Health Centre at Wassimi, as well as distributing pregnancy kits.

He said the club also commissioned a N52 million solar-powered water purification system for a rural community.

The president also unveiled the club’s star project for the year, which is an N18 million full-scale renovation of two science laboratories at Wassimi Comprehensive Secondary School.

Bello said the modernised facilities will serve as a model for other schools in the Maryland area, noting that the groundbreaking is scheduled for next week, with completion expected before the end of the month.

The president said other planned projects in maternal and child health, basic education, sanitation, and environmental care would follow during the year.

“This is the year of the united team. We are driven by collective effort, shared passion, and strong bonds, and that’s how we will make a difference in our communities,” Bello stated.

Bello noted that with August designated as membership-development month in the Rotary calendar, the club is also focusing on growing its membership from its current 107 members to 120 before the end of the year, alongside commissioning new clubs.