DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE FOR JANUARY

Happy new year and welcome to the beginning of the second half of this glorious and amazing 2022-2023 Rotary year. On behalf of the hundreds of people within your communities who you reached out to during this season with different items including food items, I sincerely appreciate you.

JANUARY – VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH 
1st January marks the beginning of the 2023 calendar year and the second half of the ‘Imagine Rotary’ 2022-2023 Rotary year. As we continued to blaze the trail with new ideas, novel programs, unprecedented events, I shall not fail to acknowledge that you, fellow Rotarians have empowered us to deliver thus far. What’s next… we should keep imagining more spectacular activities starting this January.

 

The two hundred and fifty (250) girls currently undergoing three months vocational skills acquisition training at Lagos and Ogun States vocational centers are progressing very well with one month gone into the training. Club clusters are encouraged to embark on worthwhile vocational service programs that are not limited to skills acquisition only.

 

THE IMAGINE ROTARY JOURNEY THUS FAR MEMBERSHIP
As of 31 ST November 2022, our membership was 5,046 but we had a different story to tell as of 31st December with decline to 4805. This was not unexpected because of the default in payment of dues by some members and their subsequent delisting to avoid Rotary International billing them for such members.

 

The District is therefore not comfortable with the current membership position as we are getting farther away from the more crucial requirement given by Rotary International for final approval for districting into 9111 and 9112 which is membership of minimum of 5000 by 30th June 2023.  This is a Call to Action by all clubs and Rotarians, we should think of proactive ways to retain our members and attract good number of new members, we cannot afford to lose more members. Some clubs that had inducted new members are yet to report them. All clubs are to proactively do so without further delay.

 

Beyond that, these new members should be engaged effectively to retain them. Do report your new members within 48 hours of inducting them. Have we forgotten our membership slogan for the Rotary year? Retain All, Add More (RAAM) Be advised that delisted members of your club should be accommodated as friends of the club. They are easier to get back as active members when things get better, and they are to pay their dues again.

ROTARY FOUNDATION GIVING
I wish to start on an appreciation note to all our charitable Rotarians for your generous gifts to The Rotary Foundation in the first 6 months of the Rotary year especially in PolioPlus and Annual Programs Fund. It is observed that the record of donations we have at the District is quite higher than the records on Rotary Club Central. RI has not updated quite a lot of donations made and many clubs are either not credited for donations made or credited with lower figures. at the District level, we rely so much on your prof of payment to TRF account which is to be sent to Miss Helen Ibeka (08056651978) who will promptly report your payment and make request for your recognition items where necessary.

GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO CLUBS
Eighty-seven (87) Rotary clubs had been visited so far with 48 more to go. Visits to the remaining clubs shall be concluded by end of February 2023.

 

The glamorous event held at Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday 2nd December 2022. This was indeed a classical outing of over two hundred distinguished Rotarians within and beyond our District, Arch Klump Society members, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Level Major Donors (including new ones), Bequest Society members and almost two hundred Paul Harris Fellows.

 

Thursday 8th December: DG receives Global Peace Award
The District Governor was one of the two Nigerians presented with the Global Peace Award

Friday 9 TH December: Three -in-one event
 The unveiling of the ‘Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi House’
The unveiling ceremony was held as scheduled. The Doyen, PDG Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, MFR, mni who was deservingly honoured was present at the ceremony in company of his spouse, Mama Julia-Adelusi-Adeluyi and a good number of District leaders. This was followed by the unveiling of the new ‘Rotary Centre’ Inscription on Ladoke Akintola road by the Doyen and District Governor

 Christmas carol service & lighting up of the Rotary Centre
This Carol service of Nine lessons marked the beginning of the yuletide season and it was yet another colourful gathering of District leaders and Rotarians.

 Unveiling of the Maiden edition of District 9110 Imagine Rotary Songs book.
The District Governor unveiled the maiden edition of District 9110 Universal song book and donated twenty (20) copies to twenty (20) new Rotary clubs who didn’t have.

 

Saturday 17th December: Imaginative ‘Family of Rotary’ Funfair
The activities of the Rotary year ended on a very exciting note with the 2022 Family of Rotary celebration tagged “Imaginative Funfair” which held on Saturday, 17th of December 2022 at Police College, Ikeja, this was yet another record-breaking event, an experience that had never been had before. It kicked off with the symbolic ‘PLAY FOR PEACE’ Novelty football match to advocate for peace during the 2023 elections. It was indeed family get-together with a difference. Fifty- five clubs were in attendance with their members, families and guests, a very colourful carnival and real FUNFAIR. I appreciate Rotarians for turning out in large numbers. No dull moment while the program lasted.

Wednesday 21st December: Visit to Home for the Destitute
The District Governor visited the home for the Destitute Okobaba in Ebute Metta, Lagos state with food items to celebrate the festive season with them.

 

Our District has recorded 841 total registrations as of 30st November 2022. Screening or visa application commenced as scheduled on Tuesday, 11th October 2022 and was officially concluded on 8th December but extended on compassionate ground to 15th December to accommodate those with issues and late submission of documents by some Rotarians. Rotarians have started going for their biometrics at the VFS office in Lekki using the available window of 25 slots for the exercise for December. Those that will be accommodated on different days in January will be notified accordingly by Skyworld Link Travels, the District consultants used.

NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) strikes partnership with Rotary International District 9110 in the promotion of its vision for ‘a healthier Nigeria we live in’ by volunteering their time and expertise to contribute towards improving healthcare in Nigeria. The new partnership has yielded the maiden benefit of the donation of $1000 last December to support polio eradication.

UPCOMING EVENTS
·      Monday 2 nd January: Visit to Ayinke House, LASUTH
The First female DG, accompanied by District leaders will be making presentation to the First Female baby born in the New year and donate neonatal and maternal medical equipment to the hospital.

·      Friday 6 th January: New Year ‘GRILL & CHILL’ evening
The Lagos State Government gave a gift of two cows to the District for the festive period, this will be feasted on by Rotarians during the new year ‘Grill & Chill’ evening at 4.00pm. All Rotarians are cordially invited to this New Year meet & greet forum. The event will be preceded by ‘District Governor’s Happy Hour’ with new Rotarians scheduled for 3pm.

 District Governor speaks
The January edition of ‘Governor speaks’ will hold on Wednesday

 Strategic Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) 

The novel breakfast training will resume this January and the date will be communicated via email to Rotarians.

 

REOPENING OF THE ROTARY CENTRE
The District office will be re-open for business on Wednesday 4th January, 2023. I look forward to seeing you all again with renewed strength to continue serving humanity.

APPRECIATION
May I at this juncture appreciate once again Rotarians who have been very supportive in different ways in the first half of the Rotary year. We couldn’t have recorded any success without you.

I also extend my special gratitude to my wondrous core team for time and service. Every minute in the last six months.

 

Fellow Rotarians, let us  Imagine Rotary of endless opportunities for more service this New Year.God bless all of you.
 
Omotunde Lawson, FCAI
Imaginative District Governor