By Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Rotary International for its pivotal role in the eradication of wild polio in Nigeria and Africa, describing the organisation’s intervention as one of the finest examples of international cooperation in public health.

The President also called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Rotary in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, youth development and community economic empowerment.

Tinubu spoke on Sunday in Abuja at a presidential inaugural dinner organised in honour of the President of Rotary International, Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola.

The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said Nigeria remained grateful to Rotary for its sacrifices in the battle against polio.

“Rotary’s leadership in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative remains one of the finest examples of international cooperation in public health. Nigeria understands what it means for a nation once burdened by wild polio virus to stand free of it through persistence, partnership, science and sacrifice and we say thank you,” he said.

According to him, Africa and Nigeria in particular remember “the Rotarians who stood firm when the task was difficult and the road was long.

“Millions of African children can live, walk and dream today because people of goodwill refused to surrender,” Tinubu added.

L-R: Trustee, The Rotary Foundation 2024-2028, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, Wife of the President, Totary International, Barr. Precy Ibinabo Babalola, President of Rotary International 2026-2027, Yinka Hakeem Babalola, and Representative of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, during the presidential inaugural Ball in honour of Olayinka Hakeem held in Abuja, yesterday.PHOTO: ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

The President said the values promoted by Rotary – service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership – align with the ideals of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the agenda is focused on building a more just, inclusive and productive nation through investments in education, healthcare, social welfare, youth development and job creation.

“No nation can rise beyond the quality of its human capital and no reform is complete if it does not improve the life of the ordinary citizen,” he said.

Tinubu stressed that government alone could not achieve national transformation, noting that volunteer organisations and civil society groups had crucial roles to play.

“I therefore use this occasion to invite Rotary in Nigeria, and the global Rotary family under President Babalola’s leadership, to deepen partnership with the Federal Government in key human development sectors,” he said.

The President specifically sought collaboration in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, basic education, literacy, youth skills and enterprise development.

“If we align Rotary’s culture of community service with the Federal Government’s policy direction under Renewed Hope, we can create results that are measurable, local and lasting. We can deliver hope not as a slogan, but as a lived reality,” he added.

Congratulating Babalola on becoming only the second African to lead Rotary International in its 121-year history, Tinubu said his emergence was “a proud moment for Nigeria and for our continent.”

“This is not merely a personal distinction. It is a national statement that shows that Nigeria continues to produce men and women of competence and character, whose leadership commands global respect,” he said.

The President also commended Rotary International for its contributions to peace, health, education and community development, saying the organisation had demonstrated that “the greatest force for change is driven by service, sacrifice and impactful results.”

The President, Rotary International, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, said apart from the EndPolioNow, the organization has floated new programmes of “Together for Healthy Families
and Healthy Communities Challenge” to address maternal, malaria and diarrhea problems in the country.
Babalola said: ‘Rotary’s greatest achievements are not measured by the meetings we hold or the plans we make, but by the lives we transform and the hope we create.
“Nowhere is that impact more evident than here in Nigeria. For decades, Nigerian Rotarians have stood shoulder to shoulder with communities, governments, and global partners in one of humanity’s greatest public health campaigns- the fight against polio.
“Through persistence, sacrifice, advocacy, and countless hours of volunteer service, Rotary has helped bring Nigeria and the African continent to the threshold of a polio-free future.
” Yet, until polio is eradicated everywhere, our vigilance must continue, because every child, everywhere, deserves the chance to live free from this devastating disease.
“At the same time, Rotary is addressing another urgent challenge through Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria, one of The Rotary Foundation’s Programs of Scale. This initiative is helping to reduce maternal and newborn mortality in Abuja, Nasarawa, Gombe and Ekiti states by strengthening health systems, training healthcare workers, and empowering families and communities to make informed health decisions. “And the outcomes have been nothing short of impessive. Through this programme, Rotary is demonstrating that healthy mothers and healthy children are the foundation of strong and prosperous communities.
“And we are taking another bold step through the Healthy Communities Challenge, an initiative designed to tackle some of the most significant threats to community health, including malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, and pneumonia with pilots in Kebbi and Akwa Ibom states.
“By focusing on prevention, education, and community engagement, Rotary is helping to build healthier and more resilient communities across Nigeria.
“These three initiatives tell a powerful story. They show Rotary at its best- solving problems, building partnerships, and creating sustainable change. They remind us that our work does not end with a single project or a single year. We are in the business of building a better future.”

In his remarks, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also hailed Babalola’s emergence, describing it as a historic moment for Africa.

“Africa is watching. Nigeria is watching. History is watching. And we are proud,” Obasanjo said.

The former President recalled that the late Rotarian Jonathan Majiyagbe became the first African President of Rotary International in 2003 and urged Babalola to widen the path for more Africans to attain the organisation’s highest office.

“Do not just follow the path. Widen it, so that the third African and the fourth will come faster than 22 years,” he said.

Obasanjo further urged Africans to rally behind Babalola’s presidency, saying it represented not only an African moment but also an opportunity for the continent to demonstrate excellence and leadership on the global stage.

From Adeko Ukpa

The new District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotarian Engr. Sikiru Owonikoko, has unveiled an ambitious agenda centred on technology, membership growth, stronger public image, accountability and sustainable humanitarian impact.

Speaking during his acceptance speech in Abuja on Wednesday, Owonikoko said the new administration was prepared to take the district to a higher level by building a modern and impact-driven Rotary.

While unveiling his plans for the District year, he said the administration would focus on five key pillars, public image, Rotary Foundation, membership growth, retention and engagement, effective leadership communication, and technology.

“District 9127, our district, is prepared fully and we are prepared to create lasting impacts,” Owonikoko said.

On the Rotary Foundation, Owonikoko described it as “the engine that powers the Rotary wheel of impact”, adding that District 9127 would position itself to attract more strategic support for sustainable projects.

He said membership growth would remain a priority but stressed that retention and engagement were equally important.

“Membership growth is important, but membership engagement and retention are essential. We don’t want to start decreasing and re-adding them anymore,” he said.

L-R: District Governor elect, District 9127, Rtn. Chijioke Ekechukwu, Outgoing District Governor, 9127, Dr. Joy Nky Okoro, New District Governor 9127, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko and his wife Hajiya Zainab Owonikoko, during the handover to the New District Governor held at the Rotary Centre Jabi, in Abuja yesterday.

The governor called on Rotarians to become ambassadors of the organisation by inviting others to join.

“There is no Rotarian incapable of bringing one person into Rotary. If each of us brings one, not out of pressure, but out of our own conviction that we grow our organisation, we will not only double our growth, we will exceed it,” he said.

Owonikoko also disclosed plans to expand Rotary’s footprint in states without clubs, saying some leaders had committed to helping establish new clubs in those areas.

On communication and leadership, he called for transparency and stronger collaboration among clubs and district officials.

“When communication flows, trust will grow. When trust grows, collaboration strengthens. And when collaboration strengthens, impact multiplies,” he said.

He also announced a stronger focus on discipline across the district, covering time management, financial stewardship, reporting, accountability and adherence to Rotary structures.

“Discipline is not punishment. Discipline is respect for standard. This is what separates intention from excellence. When we are disciplined, we are credible. And when we are credible, we are trusted,” he said.

Highlighting technology as a major pillar of his administration, Owonikoko said Rotary must adapt to changing times by embracing digital tools and artificial intelligence.

“Rotary must not only keep up with the future, we must help shape it,” he said.

He announced that District 9127 had subscribed to an artificial intelligence-powered platform for the next **10 years** to support planning, communication and management of activities.

“This is not an experiment. It is a commitment to efficiency, transparency and excellence going forward,” he said.

The governor added that district events would be planned, tracked and managed through a unified digital system, while official information would be communicated to Rotarians in real time.

“Technology will no longer be an option in District 9127; it is already institutionalised,” he said.

Owonikoko said his administration’s vision was to build “a digitally enabled Rotary, a disciplined Rotary, a future-ready Rotary and a people-centred Rotary” that preserves its values while embracing innovation.

“History will not remember our titles, it will remember our impact,” he told Rotarians, urging members to communicate openly, innovate courageously and work together to create lasting impact.

On public image, the governor said Rotary must move beyond logos and publicity materials by telling authentic stories of community transformation.

He urged Rotarians to project the organisation through real-life impact stories, including projects that return children to school, improve healthcare, empower widows and transform communities.

“You are the face of Rotary. No wheel, no banners, no signs, but you are the face,” he said.

Earlier in her handover speech, immediate past District Governor, Rotarian Princess Dr Joy Okoro, said Rotary District 9127 recorded significant growth in membership, club expansion and humanitarian projects during the 2025–2026 Rotary year.

She disclosed that membership rose to 2,361 Rotarians, 156 honorary Rotarians, 780 Rotractors and 33 honorary Rotractors, while the district expanded to 96 Rotary clubs, including 10 new clubs, alongside 8 Rotract clubs, 11 Rotract Satellite Clubs and 16 Interact Clubs**.

Okoro said the district recorded $246,501.65 in Rotary Foundation contributions, with 93 Paul Harris Fellows, 11 Benefactors and 8 Major Donors.

She highlighted key interventions, including 20 per cent DDF allocation to polio eradication, a $34,000 mammography machine for Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, provision of medical equipment, construction of two classroom blocks with 100 desks, donation of 80 school desks, and installation of solar-powered water facilities.

…Second African to lead the global membership organization will focus on peacebuilding, lasting peace

From Adeko Ukpa

A Nigerian, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, will on Wednesday take office as the President of the Rotary International.

He is the second African to lead the global membership organization.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Nigeria.
A statement by Rotary International said during his one-year term, Babalola will focus on strengthening Rotary’s contribution to peacebuilding and supporting sustainable, community-led solutions that address local and global challenges and improve lives.
Babalola said: “Rotary gives people the opportunity not only to make a difference in their communities, but also to grow through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of different perspectives.

“At a time when many societies face division and uncertainty, I believe Rotary has an important role to play in building understanding, advancing peace, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive.

“As president, I look forward to highlighting and strengthening that impact around the world.”

Babalola brings to the role decades of experience advancing community development, peacebuilding, and public health initiatives across Africa. He has been actively involved with Rotary’s Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda – the organization’s first on the continent.

As head of Rotary’s 45,000 clubs worldwide, Babalola will lead Rotary’s top priority of ending polio. Together with its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent and contributed more than US$3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect over 3 billion children from this paralyzing disease.

He has also been deeply engaged in Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service – to support these initiatives over the last 100 years.