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Rotary Club of Gbagada in District 9110 of Rotary International has launched a book, titled, The Champion at 40, to celebrate its four decades of serving humanity at a glamorous event held at Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
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The forward was written by the Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Tomi Coker, who chronicled the journey of the club, saying it is a testament to its sacrifices, commitment and achievement over the four decades.
President of the club, Olubunmi Oguntade, described the 40 years of its existence as monumental, full of achievement with trophies as overall best club in the District, 17 times, eight times consecutively. She added that the club that was chartered on February 27, 1984 has also won the Rotary International Achievement and Balanced Club Achievement Awards for carrying out six significant various and notable projects.
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She, however, noted that all the accolades for the club’s achievements should first of all go to the founding fathers of the club, who laid its solid foundation, among whom are Charter President, late Gabriel Adenuga-Taiwo, the doyen of the club, Past District Governor (PDG), Adeniji Raji; PDG Yomi Adewunmi, among others.
She recalled various notable projects carried out by the club to include the construction of a 25-bed out-patient ward within the Gbagada General Hospital complex at N250,000 at that time, equivalent of N10 million now, commissioned by the then Minister for Health and Human Services, late Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti.
The same paediatric ward has now been remodelled and extended at a cost of N30 million as the star project for her service year, recently commissioned by the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
She disclosed that the club, in its future projects, among others, would be looking at youths development in line with modern trend and culture, and re-shaping their ideas.
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Reviewer of the book, Vice-Chancellor, National Open University, Professor Olufemi Peters, said the 10-chapter book is loaded with uncommon and laudable achievements, the proof of the club as an undisputable champion over the spread of 40 years, having carried out various projects covering the Rotary International seven areas of focus.
He said the club has produced six district governors with the seventh to come on board 2026 to 2027 Rotary year and 45 presidents, which include PDG Deinde Shoga, Past Assistant Governors Ayotunde Onafuwa, Lanre Kasim, Tayo Lawal, HRM Bayo Windapo, among others.
Chairman, 40th Anniversary Committee, Wale Adegbite premised the motivation factor of the club on the mission and vision to create a lasting impact in the community where it operates while the District Governor, District 9110, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Ifeyinwa Ejezie, attested to the fact that it is one of the leading clubs in the district with outstanding achievements within its 40 years of existence.
The chairman of the occasion, Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire (SAN) of Ondo Central Senatorial District said people should join politics and stop complaining because that is the only way to change the status-quo.
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