Nigeria’s former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi has called on Rotary International District 9110 to intensify its effort in impacting humanity, unifying the country and spreading peace across the globe.
Akinyemi, who delivered a keynote address on “New World Order and Rotary” at the Rotary International District 9110 41st Annual Conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Friday, stated that Rotary should be able to advance the cause of a more equitable and just world.
Recalling that it was Rotary Club of Princeton, New Jersey that gave him his first ever opportunity to deliver a paper as guest speaker, the erudite scholar said: “Equity and just does not mean an equal world. In life, there is nothing like equality, more especially in global affairs characterized by power syndrome”.
He urged Rotary to help mitigate unacceptable damages inflicted on others through its various projects and programmes.
He noted that the new order is a restructuring of the old order, affirming that the drive for a new world order involves the struggle for a place at the table where decisions are taken.
The District Governor, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson recalled that the last 11 months, with her at the helm, had witnessed unprecedented achievements in the area of girl-child education, women/youth empowerment, maternal, newborn and child health, vocational training, polio immunization, water, sanitation and hygiene, support for the environment, basic education and care for those with hearing impairment.
Lawson, who is the first female District Governor in the 41 year history of the District which has over 140 clubs in Lagos and Ogun States, thanked the various governments, agencies, partners, donors and fellow Rotarians whose immense financial and material contributions have led to the quantum of impact that Rotary has had in various communities and people in the District.
Past District Governor Sam Worentutu, who represented Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones, said he was delighted to be in Nigeria to share fellowship at the District Conference (DISCON) 2023. He thanked Rotarians for keying into the vision of the President by imagining and executing projects that are causing change and transformation around the world. He urged Rotarians to continue to dream big and harness their connections while showing the power of Rotary to turn dreams to reality.
Chairperson of DISCON 2023, Rotarian Bukola Bakare said the programme was carefully planned to be intellectually-stimulating, engaging and fun-filled.
There were goodwill messages from former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Osile of Okeona Egba, HRM Adedapo Tejuoso; and the Consulate-General of India High Commission in Nigeria, Shri Chandramouli Kuma, .
The conference, which had such sponsors as First Bank Nigeria Plc, Revolution Plus, GTI Group, Keystone Bank, Greenwich Merchant Bank, Indomie Noodles among others, was rounded off with a gala night on Saturday.
