Rotary International (RI) President, Barry Rassin has applauded District 9110 Rotarians for their efforts towards eradicating polio in Nigeria describing it as “very special and unique”
“In every speech I make around the world, I always talk about polio and whenever I talk about polio, I always remind everybody that Rotarians in Nigeria, we need to thank them when we see them because what you do to eradicate polio is very special and unique”, says Barry Rassin
The Rotary International President made the statement during his visit to the Rotary Centre in Government Reserved Area, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 alongside his spouse, Esther and Rotary International Director, Yinka Babalola.
The RI President who visited Nigeria for the first time with his spouse Esther was received at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja in Lagos earlier on Monday, November 12 by the District Governor (DG), Rotarian Kola Sodipo and his spouse, Inner Wheel Member (IWM) Nike; Past District Governor Richard Giwa-Osagie- Aide to visiting RI President; amongst other Past District Governors and Rotarians.
It was an activity filled Tuesday afternoon as Rotaractors led by the District Rotaract Representative and Interactors led by the Interact District Representative ceremoniously welcomed RI President Rassin and his spouse upon their arrival at the Rotary Centre.
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The RI President and his spouse led by DG Sodipo and his spouse had earlier in the day visited the purposely built Eye Hospital (A collaborative project by Rotary Club of Lagos Palm Grove Estate, Indo Eye Care Foundation, and some other Rotary clubs and organizations) situated along the popular International Airport Road in Ajao Estate, Lagos.
RI President Rassin who was shown round the Rotary Centre office complex by DG Sodipo commended the district leaders for such an uncommon and outstanding edifice after which he was hosted to a warm reception in the hall.
DG Sodipo, in his welcome address noted that “our district straddles two very important states in Nigeria- Lagos (the Commercial Nerve Centre of Nigeria) and Ogun (the Gateway to Nigeria). We currently have 103 clubs with nearly 3000 members; specifically 2931 members with a net gain of 233 as at November 12, 2018.”
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The DG further highlighted the efforts being made to propagate this year’s theme: ‘Be the Inspiration’ through the activities, programmes and projects carried out in the various communities covered by the district adding that the district’s major goals are increment in membership and support to The Rotary Foundation.
RI President Rassin, while delivering his speech said, “In every speech I make around the world, I always talk about polio and whenever I talk about polio, I always remind everybody that Rotarians in Nigeria, we need to thank them when we see them because what you do to eradicate polio is very special and unique.”
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“I can’t stand here in Nigeria and not tell you that I brag about you everywhere I go. You wonder why? Because of what you are doing to finish the job of eradicating polio in your country. There are many naysayers out there in the world who said that this can’t be done. They said that Nigeria won’t be able to do it but you’ve been two years and three months with no case of polio, be proud of that.”
“This is not easy, what you do. I remind them that it’s been 2 years and 3 months since the last case of polio and that is because of what the people in this room are doing so I congratulate you, but you don’t just do polio, you do so many other things. It’s all about leadership and with the wisdom and experience in this room and the size of you in this room, it shows that you have a great spirit of service, great leaders and future leaders.”
The RI President however stated, “It is with great pride and humility that I stand here before you in Nigeria because of the pride I have for what Rotarians, Interactors and Rotaractors in this country are doing to make our world a better place. You are part of the top 20 givers and as Director Yinka said, you are not part of the top 20 countries by GDP but your dedication and support to The Rotary Foundation is truly remarkable and you should be proud of that.
“I am standing in the Rotary Centre that will eventually become the Rotary Centre for Rotary in Africa. To do that, you’ve got work to do. Esther and I have had the privilege of visiting six countries in Africa since February this year and one more this week and Nigeria making eight countries and in every country we go to, we remind them that you all have the obligation and responsibility of growing your membership. The reason you need to get to 70, 000 members.
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Speaking further, he said, “You get to 70, 000 members, you will then have a seat at the board table all the time. You are working with 30, 000 members and it sounds like double but the way you are growing in districts in countries in Africa, I believe within three years, you can accomplish 70, 000 members.
“I can’t stand here in Nigeria and not tell you that I brag about you everywhere I go. You wonder why? Because of what you are doing to finish the job of eradicating polio in your country. There are many naysayers out there in the world who said that this can’t be done. They said that Nigeria won’t be able to do it but you’ve been two years and three months with no case of polio, be proud of that.”
“You are going to reach the end, you are going to get certified, you are going to be able to tell the world that the continent of Africa is certified as polio free, that’s because of you, it’s because of the Rotarians in this country”, the RI President further said.
“We have partners. We have WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and Bill Gates that also support but the spirit of polio eradication comes right here in this room, it comes from the leaders of Rotary in Nigeria and in the Rotary world, we can never say thank you enough for what you do”, RI President added.
Rotary International Director, Yinka Babalola who spoke earlier before the RI President, noted that Nigeria has 4 of the 16 districts in Africa which is about 25%. He also noted that of the 32, 000 Rotarians on the African continent, Nigeria accounts for about 11, 000. “So we represent about 33% of the Rotary membership on the African continent”, he said.
He further noted, “For convention attendance, in most cases that I know of in the last 20 years, apart from the host country, the next highest attendees are Nigerians but that is also subject to the fact that they give us travel visa.
“This country contributes to The Rotary Foundation, on the average, between 1.2 and 1.6 million dollars every year and I think every time reports are published, we are always in the top 20 giving nations even though we are not in the top 20 countries by GDP. I mentioned that so that you can understand that the reason we give is not because we have a lot but because we are committed to the things we do”, he said.
RI President Rassin who visited the four Rotary districts in Nigeria also visited the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa in Abuja where he presented him with the Polio Champions Award for his commitment to Polio Eradication in Nigeria.