Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, will be agog from this morning (Thursday) as Rotarians from across over 140 clubs in Rotary International District 9110 – and their eminent guests, spouses and friends – gathered in the rock city for their annual Disctrict Conference (DISCON).
With about 5,000 members in the clubs located in Lagos and Ogun States, this DISCON is likely to be the last but one edition of District 9110, which will be split into two – Districts 9111 and 9112 – from the Rotary year 2004-05. Well known for working ahead, Rotary has already nominated Governors and their successors for the about-to-be-restructured districts.
Rotarians will be led by their District Governor, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, who broke the glass ceiling by emerging the first woman to occupy the exalted position of the 42nd Governor of the District. The feat of the astute educationist, administrator and philanthropist extraordinaire is fittingly described by District Secretary, Rotarian Azuh Arinze as Koseleri (Yoruba for something that has never happened).
The Koseleri District Conference (DISCON 2023), which is holding from Thursday to Sunday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, is indeed producing many firsts. First off is the Koseleri graduation/empowerment of 100 beneficiaries of vocational skills acquisition in Ogun State to celebrate DISCON 2023. Never before has the District done that. This initiate of Lawson is a symbolic community service project.
The Vocational Skills Acquisition programme was flagged off at Moringa Hotel, Ibara GRA, Abeokuta last 6th February. It is part of the efforts of District 9110 to empower beneficiaries, from across Ogun State, in a three-month vocational training programme in skills such as solar and CCTV installation, tie and dye, graphic designing, confectionery, and make-over artistry.
For the first time also, the District Conference will be holding outside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex. Initially planned for 4th to 7th May, the conference had to be postponed as a result of the 3rd to 7th May National Population and Housing Census. With the venue not available at the rescheduled dates, decision was taken to move DISCON 2023 to the June 12 Cultural Centre.
According to the District Governor, the House of Friendship Mall would have a bigger space this time to enable Rotarians and their guests move very freely from stand to stand.
Unlike previous editions when clubs held their hospitality nights separately, there is a convergence this time with all the clubs coming under one umbrella on Friday night. “All clubs will be given free space, music, small chops and soft drinks. Clubs will provide their own foods and wine and alcoholic drinks”, Lawson said.
The Keynote Speaker is the globally acclaimed scholar and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who is the originator of The African Aids Corps and Concert of Medium Powers. He will deliver his paper on Friday shortly after the District Governor had officially opened the conference and presented her stewardship address, having served in that capacity since 1st July 2022. Considering her catalogue of accomplishments and long list of unprecedented programmes in District 9110, Rotarians and guests are assured of an interesting session.
Other highlights of DISCON 2023 included the presentation of the incoming District Governor, Rotarian Ifeyinwa Ejezie. She will make her address and present the Rotary International theme for 2023-24 year – Create Hope in the World.
There will also be the introduction of the District Governor Nominee for each of the proposed districts – 9111 and 9112. Rotarian Wole Kukoyi is for District 9111, while Rotarian Adefemi Adenekan will serve District 9112 as Governors in the Rotary year 2024-25.
Their successors will also be presented to the audience. Rotarian Henry Akinyele will pilot the affairs of District 9111 in 2025-26 Rotary year, while Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin will serve District 9112 in the same period.
Also on the package are “End Polio Now” which holds at 6.00am on Saturday, the Gala and Awards Night also on Saturday, the welcome party on Thursday night (an ALL-WHITE event).
