Rotary Club of Gbagada has given an award of recognition to the Publisher of Eko Hot Blog and Chairman of KayoKayo festival planning committee, Otunba Tajudeen Abass for his time, energy and financial contributions towards the advancement of humanity.

The event, which took place at Yoruba Tennis Club, also witnessed the induction of Rotarian Olubunmi Oguntade as the 40th President of the club in Gbagada.

In his address, Abass emphasised the need for well meaning Nigerians to be compassionate and thrive to be their brothers keeper, noting that this would be an added advantage to the development of the country.

He considered the award as a personal milestone and an opportunity to be part of humanity, part of the resilience that has actually defined the nation and the Rotary Club of Gbagada.

He said: “I feel anytime you are given such a recognition, you feel so special. As I have been recognised by Rotary Club of Gbagada, which for centuries has chosen to be a beacon of hope to the underprivileged in our society with so many intervention programmes, aimed at positively impacting the underprivileged, I think makes one very much special.

“The recognition is an opportunity for me to do more for society because one cannot change the entire world overnight, but we can change one life at a time by having the compassion and the desire to make the society a better place.”

Speaking further, Abass noted that the event is not just about the award, but to raise fund to fund a project, stating that what the club has in mind is a hospital project; to have a paediatric ward at Gbagada General Hospital which is a 25- bed capacity for the benefit of people in the area and its environ, which is expected to gulp N25million.

“Beyond that, it is about access to quality health services. That’s the project for today, we should not close our eyes to that, and of course, there are numerous other projects that are in the pipeline aimed at making life more meaningful. So our goal is to raise N25million to fund that paediatric ward at the hospital.”

Abass further stressed the need for other well-meaning Nigerians to join in the service to humanity.

“When you climb the ladder of success that does not preclude you from looking down that ladder and raising somebody up to make them successful as well. That is the only way we can make our society better, we cannot expect the government to do everything. It is incumbent upon me and you and also non-governmental organisations to work together, to collaborate together, to make the society a better place,” he added.

On her part, Oguntade promised that the year would be fruitful and full of notable activities, adding that she will not relent in her commitment to serving the community and making a positive impact on the society.