OTUNBA Bola Onabadejo has been installed the District Governor (2015-2016), Rotary International, District 9110 comprising Lagos and Ogun States at a grand ceremony, which took place at Intercontinental Hotel, Kobo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The ceremony was attended by notable personalities in the society among whom were the royal father of the day, His Royal Highness, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, past District Governors namely: former Health Minister, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Michael Olawale Cole, Richard Giwa-Osagie, Deinde Shoga, Kamoru Omotosho, Olugbemiga Olowu and the immediate past District Governor, Dr. Dele Balogun.

Others were District Governor-Elect, Pat Ikheloa, past Rotary Club Presidents: G.N. Patel, Mukesh Bhatt, Dr. Alex Thomopulos (Chief Operating Officer, The Guardian), Suman Ramesh, Ramesh Biswal as well as Charter President, Dr. Deep Mirani.

In his valedictory speech, the immediate past District Governor, Dr. Dele Balogun said during his tenure he had the opportunity of building good relationship with Rotarians all over the world with the club.

“We had the opportunity of giving to the less privileged. We had the privilege of giving sight to 1, 200 beneficiaries in both Lagos and Ogun States. We provided artificial limbs and also built 23 toilets in schools. We provided more than 20 boreholes to schools. We gave scholarships and also gave vocational training to the youths.

“I had the support of about 2,000 Rotarians and we all had a good time together,” he said.

Balogun also seized the opportunity to honour those clubs that performed excellently during his tenure.

The first on the list was the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate that was given a special award in the area of disease prevention and treatment. As if the award was not enough, he added that a letter of commendation would also be coming from the Rotary International President for successful execution of laudable projects by the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate.

These, he said, were done to give encouragement to other clubs in the district.

According to Balogun, the club executed projects that are beneficial to the less privileged.

“The Club carried out 1,500 successful surgeries and gave 650 artificial limbs to beneficiaries. The club launched the gift of smart canes to those whose eyes could not be operated with 100 beneficiaries in that category.

He also commended The Guardian Newspapers for the extra effort made to project the activities of the club.

“The Guardian among major papers in the country was applauded for its beautiful role in going the extra mile to make the work of the club known to the public,” he said.

Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA was specifically commended for making the highest donation to the Rotary Foundation in the Rotary year.

Onabadejo, in his acceptance speech, said the District would maintain the position of first class at every level.

“The theme of this Rotary year is: ‘Be a gift to the world.’ We are going to dedicate ourselves more to services this year. We will make ourselves a gift to humanity to rescue the poor. We will give good water to those that are lacking; we will provide medical assistance to those in need of this. We will carry out projects in the six areas of focus. Maternal and child health is our concern. We will also look into the area of economic and community development. Basic education and literacy would be one of our focuses. We will execute those projects that are the heartbeat of Rotary International.

“My predecessor did a lot, and we are hoping to build on that and do more. Rorary believes in continuity. My predecessor has played his role and did well. This Rotary year we are going to look at three basic things, which include membership development and increase the number of clubs. We would also contribute to the Rotary Foundation, which is the heartbeat of Rotary International.

“Since last year, July 24, there had not been any outbreak of polio and by July 24, 2015, we would be having a year free of polio in Nigeria and if the trend is sustained in the next two years, Nigeria will be declared totally free from the endemic disease. Unfortunately Nigeria is one of the three countries we are still having polio, but we are going to see that the disease is stamped out of Nigeria,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, Installation Committee, Past Assistant Governor, Wale Adegbite, said the first object of the installation ceremony was to raise N30 million for execution of various projects for the Rotary year as well as increase the membership strength.