Posted by Bola Oyebade on Jun 01, 2021
 
I have grown to know that a Rotary year would be started with excitement and funfair. With that on my mind I built up series of activities for my first day in office as the District Governor.
 
We had series of activities. From commissioning of the District Governor Elect and the District Governor Nominee’s Car ports to Prostate Cancer Screening exercise, then RYLA flag off and DisCon 2021 flag off before a Press Conference, it was like the popular saying of hitting the ground running.
 
The fun started from Day one and we plan to round off with more fun as the year winds down. Our Rotarians all over the clubs are truly the champions of our District and the doers of great deeds.
 
I will forever be grateful to everyone that supported the District in all ways in spite of the poor economy and from the pandemic to civil unrest in Lagos in particular. This year therefore is dedicated in part to all our ever-supportive Rotarians.
 
We concluded last month with our District Conference amidst so much uncertainty in the state and the galloping inflation. The District Conference Committee defied all the challenges and executed a world class District Conference.
 
There could not have been any better way to conclude the month of May and usher in the Fellowship month of June. June as we all are aware is meant for the celebration and recognition of all Rotary Fellowships, promoting them and creating avenue for their understanding.
 
In our District we have some indigenous Rotary Fellowships, rating high amongst which is the International Fellowship of Draughts Playing Rotarians. Rotarians are encouraged to join as many as possible and use them as an avenue to link bothers.
 
The Covid – 19 pandemic could have been heralded in during last Rotary year, disorganizing plans and strategies, truncating pre planned events and programmes, locking down people and businesses but this Rotary year, we have been able to adapt to its traits, the new normal.
 
This new normal created some hidden opportunities that eventually were tapped into. Our Rotarians therefore developed their membership better than never, sponsoring the charter of new clubs and generally sustaining existing members through engagement strategies.
 
Our membership goal this year is fifty percent net gain. We have not met this as at time of this publication. We also have not been able to meet our target of One Million Dollar contribution to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Regardless of this, we are still hopeful that the figures will rise and we shall jubilate even if it comes later.
 
Our Specific, Significant and Signature project for this year is the construction of the Rotary Prostate Cancer building at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
 
Through the support of Rotarians and our friends, the multi-Million Naira building will be concluded in the month of June 2021 and be handed over to the Management of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
 
A specialized facility, it will be the first ever by any private organization or an individual. I invite all Rotarians to find time to be at location and be proud of what Rotary is delivering to the community..
 
Once again, I wish to express my gratitude to all Rotarians that made the year a wonderful one, their support was the backbone of the administration.
 
 
Bola Oyebade
Governor
District 9110 Nigeria