The promise of delivering the pet project of Rotary International District 9111 Governoor, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi has finally come to fruition.
The Sickle Cell Disease Centre, situated on the premises of the Ota General Hospital in Ogun State, commenced operation on 3 July 2024, three days into Rotarian Kukoyi’s assumption of office as the pioneer District 9111 Governoor.
That day, the foundation-laying ceremony took place under the heavy rain, which could however not deter Rotarians as people of action, who thronged the venue of event to give the District Governor their unalloyed support.
The building housing the Sickle Cell Centre was designed and supervised by a team of professional Rotarians through direct labour, under the D9111 Sickle Cell Disease Centre Building Committee, led by its Chairman, Past Assistant Governor Tunde Alimi, who promised that the delivery of the project under six months is now at the roofing stage as promised.
Commenting on the building project during the December 2024 edition of the DG Speaks, an online audience-participation programme, anchored by Assistant District Secretary, Rotarian John Odiboh, the District Governor appealed for more support for the project from Rotarians, while appreciating those who had made various donations towards the building which is to cater for the needs of Sickle Cell Disease patients in Ogun, Lagos States and the entire country.
During his visit to the site, the District Governor, who was visibily excited said: “To God be all the glory for promise made and kept”. According to him, “the roofing of the Sickle Cell Centre building has been completed ahead of our timeline of 31st December 2024”.
Kukoyi noted that the achievement “couldn’t have been possible without your commitment, sacrifices and professional support”, adding that “I appreciate the chairman and all committee members for the service above self”, while wishing them the best of the season”.
In his response, Alimi said: “Thank you my pioneer District Governor for your support despite epileptic funding from the district, and also the opportunity to serve”.
In addition, he gave a “big thank you to all my distinguished Rotarians from the engineering team to others for your support”, saying “I’m most grateful”.
Alimi stated however, that “we have gotten to at least 50 per cent of the project, God willing, we will finish it successfully”. He therefore, appreciated all and sundry, wishing everyone compliments of the Christmas and new year season.
With the building completed up to the roof level, the next stage will be plastering, electrical, carpentry, aluminium works, equipping the centre with modern day medical equipment especially those suited for sickle cell disease patients and also the manpower to run the centre which will require more funding from Rotarians, non-Rotarians, corporate organisations, friends and guests of Rotary District 9111.
