A Comptroller of Customs, Dera Nnadi, has said that Rotary International should partner with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in its seven areas of focus for national development, noting that the club and the Service have a lot in common to share.
 
Nnadi, who was the guest speaker during the investiture of Rotarian Vincent Chinedu Iwueze, a Paul Harris Fellow, as the 42nd President of Rotary Club of Festac Town, Lagos, said the Service has gone beyond the collection of revenue to include management of trade, cross border security, environmental protection, peace and conflict prevention and resolution, disease prevention and treatment, economic and community development as well as education and literacy.
 
Speaking on the topic, ‘Rotary International, Nigerian Customs Service and Service to Humanity’, Nnadi said: “Every Rotarian here knows that these are among the Rotary seven areas of service. These are issues that would impact the people. They are a universal landmass. They are also anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
“Realistically, every segment of the society will not be impacted at the same time but a significant number can be identified and listed. This is a tool for the Hope president. This is the road for Customs all over the world and can be the Rotary way.
 
“I will recommend that the Rotary Club of Festac Town look towards small and medium scale enterprises. This is recommended from my experience and lessons.  SMEs own the key in improving the wellbeing of people in Nigeria.”
 
Nnadi added that his choice of topic was deliberate considering the fact that both Rotary Club and Customs are global institutions whose actions impact society wherever they exist.
 
“Both institutions encourage and foster ideals of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. Let me also state that as an organisation, the NCS serves as a platform for global development and shares commitment with the Rotary International theme of the year, which is Create Hope in the World.  Incidentally the current slogan of the current government of Nigeria is to create hope; this is very significant and coincidental,” he added.
 
In his remarks, the President of Rotary Club of Festac Town, Iwueze, said he felt most honoured and humbled to be elected to lead the club in the 2023/2024 Rotary year.
 
He added: “I am going to render selfless service with the help and support of our board members and fellow club members.  Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the immediate past president, Rotarian Placid Oluigbo, a Paul Harris Fellow, for a very successful year. I must say during his year he did many things to show his support for me as his successor.
 
“I have already seen the energy, enthusiasm and commitment. I am proud to know that over 80 per cent of the club members attended the 2023 District Conference in Abeokuta including the vice president and president nominee. With their wealth of experience during the conference, I am grateful and look forward to your support.
 
“Our primary focus of the year will include membership development and retention, public image, community project, the family of Rotary, disaster management, club training and leadership, youth programmes, health education, mental health, community and economic development programmes, disease prevention and treatment, peace and conflict prevention, water sanitation and environment among others.”
 
The occasion was also used to induct new members and give appreciation awards to friends of Rotary and deserving Rotarians for their support to the club.