A New Humanitarian President for Rotary
The Rotary Club of Festac Central, District 9110, Nigeria, recently inducted its sixth president, Rotarian Fati Michael Rotimi, a man widely described as caring. Sunday Ehigiator reports
The Rotary Club of Festac Central, District 9110, Nigeria, inducted its sixth president, Rotarian Fati Michael Rotimi, recently. The club hosted several of its members, directors, council of past presidents, well-wishers and families, observers and new members. To kick-off the investiture, the outgone president of the club, Rotarian Nasiru Hamza, took to the podium, after which the welcome address was read by the Presidential Installation Committee Chairman, Rotarian Chucks Ozigbo. In his address, Ozigbo said, “I feel privileged and indeed excited seeing the faces of great men and women gathered here today for the investiture of Rotarian Michael Rotimi Fati as the President of the Rotary Club of Festac Central for the Rotary year. “The Rotary is an international organisation of over 1.2 million men and women of diverse professional fields, vocations, nationals, races, tribes, religions and many others. Ther efore, it is trite to say that rotary thrives in diversity, and that has remained our key pillar of strength. Every week, all over the world, Rotarians come together for an hour to discuss how to further our mission of ‘doing good and rendering service to humanity in our various communities’ and this has gone for over a century. “We are here today on one hand for the installation of a distinguished inspirational Rotarian as the club president, on the other hand, for fund raising. Fund raising is an inevitable and natural course for all our activities and indeed a second reason for our gathering here today. It is therefore in consonance with the modus-operandi of Rotary world over to use auspicious occasions like this, to raise funds to be used to catalyse our various service projects and activities through the Inspiration Rotary year. Obviously, we the club members alone cannot self-fund these anticipated projects, hence the call for your support. “Everyone is appealed to show us some love and support through materials, and financial donations to enable the club execute its project and indeed realise the goals set out for the Rotary year. While this is a formal Rotary event, we have gathered here together in an atmosphere of camaraderie and conviviality, let us therefore, make merry, have fun, savor the spirit of Rotary and in the process, and do well to ensure you leave a parting gift to humanity.”
Valedictory Remarks
In his valedictory speech, the outgone president advised his successor and his executive committee members to uphold the status quo of the club by judiciously carrying out all activities required of them, in fairness and dedication to the club; as it is the only benchmark through which they can strive. He also appealed to every other member of the club to give them their maximum support needed in piloting the affairs of the club and never to sway in their loyalty to the club and humanity.
Inaugural Address
Delivering his inaugural speech, the newly installed president said, “Everyone knows that as it is the tradition in Rotary,every new Rotary year installs a new club president and directors and today, our esteemed club; Rotary club of Festac central installs her sixth club president in person of my humble self, standing before you. Without much ado, I want to sincerely appreciate members of this great club for the trust bestowed on me to lead this great and unique family.
“Since I joined the club some few years back, I have been encouraged by the way Rotary is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the ultimate good reaches all humans thereby upholding world peace. This indeed is a call to service and with all humility, I promise to do my best to move our club to a greater height.
“However, I appeal for your unalloyed support as I would not be able to do it without you. I look forward to very interesting club’s meetings, which promises to be firm and consistent in content. I want to appreciate my family; my beautiful wife, Mrs. Kemi Fati and my adorable twin boys, Treasure and Favour for their loving support and with which permission I am in rotary today.
“Fellow Rotarians present here, I recognise you all. Our friends and friends of the Rotary who have come to support this noble course, you are greatly welcome. Most particularly, I appreciate the charter president of our club CP Tonia Agugoesi, whose dream birthed this unique and her limitless support. My mentor, our DGSR, permanent friend and mother of our dear club AG Grace Akpoveta, I appreciate you ma. Our Assistant Governor, Rotarian Gabriel Amalu, all inspiration presidents present, all district officers in attendance, due honour to you all. Let’s continue to be the inspiration!”
The other newly installed directors of the club included Chair Club Admin, Dorothy Edo; Chair Club Membership, Eucharia Ndudirim; Service Project Chair, Clifford Osagie; Rotary Foundation Chair, Emma Okoro; Public Relations Chair, Tonia Agugoesi; Chair New Generation, Shade Adara; Family Rotary Chair, Vera Olawoye ; Bulletin Editor, Dolapo Bankole Olawoye; Chair Installation/DG Visit, Chucks Ozigbo; President Elect, Ben Sawyer; Chair Conferences/Convention, Antonia Agugoesi; Chair History and Achieves and Club Trainer, and Modupe Flora Ogunsanya – Sergent–at–Arms.
Character
Delivering his speech titled “Character As Premium Capital”, the guest speaker, Mr. Eddy Odivwri, columnist with THISDAY Newspaper said, “character is so essential in life as it is about one of the largest determinant of how far a man or woman goes in life. It is one attribute that affects every career, profession, trade; practice etc. either in private or public space.
“You have heard it before that intelligence will and can take you to the top, but it is character that will keep or sustain you there. It is such an important attribute that should distinctly distinguish human beings from other lower creatures. If a goat or a cow does not have character, who cares? But a man or woman without character soon runs into problems and is a danger to the rest of the society.
“I dare say that the failures of several governments including that of Nigeria are largely due to the absence of character among those who take crucial and strategic decisions that affect others. All the talks and crusade on corruption and the fitful fight against it would have all been needless if all those oaths to govern us have appreciable level of requisite character.
“Imagine that even 50 per cent of the nation’s budget is ever used to develop the nation, and let the remaining 50 per cent go under the table, Nigeria would have long left the left the league of underdeveloped nations. What is your reaction anytime you feel conned or cheated either in the service you receive or the products you buy? Do you feel cheerful or awful? Are you one of them who would go sourcing examination question papers for your child so he/she could score high grades and marks in public examination, so you can boast and brag about it? How far can you go?
“When everything you do is denominated in monetary and immediate gratification, where is your character? Are you the one that will do nothing helpful to human being except it has instant monetary reward? I think this is where the selflessness of Rotarians must be celebrated. I know and see how they often make very remarkable sacrifices for the good of society.
“They may not be the richest in society, but they have one of the richest hearts; the heart that thinks for others, the heart that sacrifices for the good of others, the catholic heart of always seeking a better world. Yes, the temptation is often high to ply the regular route. But it is the strength of your character that will make you resist such pervasive pressure to dare to be different. This has nothing to do with region or religion.
“In all, character is surely one of the prized attributes God gave man. While many fail to activate their character modes sufficiently, others do and that is what makes all the difference. Which group are you? The regular or exceptional?”
The high points of the occasion were the dance presentations of some special children living with ‘Down Syndrome’ whose school is under the beneficiaries of the rotary club and also the presentation of award to Odivwri, and commendation awards to some Rotarians for their outstanding contribution to humanity.
Projects
Speaking to journalists after the event about the lined-up project for his dispensation, the president said, “like we have been doing in the past, number one, the fibroid surgeries for 10 indigent women at N300,000 each. Its not meant for people that can afford it, but people are out there suffering from it with no money to even take hospital card. Fortunately, we have a foundation that we are collaborating with. We have done almost eight, and you know the cost of fibroid surgeries. We also have empowerment programmes, our DG would be visiting us a couple of weeks from now, and we have pencilled down about five people, that we want to help as well. You know, N50, 000 can really go a long way to help small scale business individuals who are hawking on the street.
“We also have an on-going project to donate hospital equipment to the Child and Maternal Hospital in Festac, worth N2million. Comprehensive medical check-ups for prostate, diabetes, high blood pressure, malaria and free glasses, worth N2million and drilling and installation of four boreholes at N350, 000 each.”
When asked about the means of selecting beneficiaries, he said, “You can refer anybody to us; we don’t even have anybody, that is why it is in the programme. Our convening point is always here at Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac. Anybody can approach us and say you have someone you think we should help in your neighbourhood or street that the Rotary can help to empower.”