District Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, Rotarian Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo has described the death of Rotary International President-elect, Rotarian Sam Frobisher Owori, as a colossal loss to the Rotary worldwide family of volunteers.

Rotarian Ogunbadejo has also directed the District Office and Rotary Clubs to fly their flags at half-mast in honour of the departed Rotarian Owori, who would have been President of Rotary International for the 2018-19 Rotary Year.

At the recently concluded Rotary International Convention, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Owori accepted his nomination and said he was looking forward to leading the International organisation when he formally takes over the rein in Toronto next June.

He would have been the second African to lead Rotary International after Nigeria’s Jonathan Majiyagbe.

Rotarian Owori, who died Thursday July 13 due to complications from surgery, was a member of the Rotary Club Kampala, Uganda, for 38 years.

District Governor Ogunbadejo said that his death was a big loss to the Rotary family of over 1.2 million volunteers across Nigeria, Africa and the world.

According to District Governor Ogunbadejo the news of the passing on of Owori came “suddenly like a thunderbolt out of the blues.”

According to District Governor Ogunbadejo the news of the passing on of Owori came “suddenly like a thunderbolt out of the blues.”

District Governor Ogunbadejo paid glowing tributes to the late Rotary International President-elect for his worthy contributions in service to humanity and also described him as an exemplary Rotarian.

“It is a great loss to all Rotarians but more to us Africans. A fine gentleman, a quintessential and great Rotarian has just gone to answer the call of His Maker. Our loving thoughts and prayers shall accompany the soul on his path upwards. May his good works as a Rotarian stand for him on his journey home. Adieu our Great Hope, a Great Gift to Africa", District Governor Ogunbadejo said in his tribute to Owori.

Owori was the chief executive officer of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda, whose mission is to promote excellence in corporate governance principles and practice in the region by 2020.

Previously, he was Executive Director of the African Development Bank and Managing Director of Uganda Commercial Bank Ltd., and Director of Uganda Development Bank.  He has also served as Corporation Secretary of the Central Bank of Uganda.

He served as member and chair of several boards including FAULU (U) Ltd., (now Opportunity Bank), the Uganda Heart Institute, the Centre for African Family Studies, Mulago Hospital Complex, Mukono Theological College, and the Kampala City Council.

Owori also was vice-chair of the Hospice Africa Uganda, and member of the board and chair of the Audit Committee of PACE (Programme for Accessible Health, Communication and Education) in Uganda.