POST-ELECTIONS: ROTARY CLUB AKOWONJO LEADERS ADVISES NEWLY ELECTED ON PEACE BUILDING
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Former District Governor of District 9110, PDG Otunba Bola Onabadejo; District Governor Nominee, District 9110, Rotarian Dr. Wole Kukoyi and Rotary Club Akowonjo President, Rotarian Olawale Ajenifuja
The 2023 elections have come and gone but there are lessons to be learned after the hotly-contested process. And the Rotary Club International provides valuable insights for the newly elected officials. This is why leaders of Rotary Club Akowonjo are urging Nigerian elected leaders to take cues from the ideals of the Club founded by Paul Harris. Peacebuilding and conflict prevention is a core focus of the Club that was founded in 1905.
The Rotary Club Akowonjo President, Rotr. Olawale Ajenifuja told Trek Africa Newspaper, ‘In as much as Rotary Club is apolitical, we as individuals are political animals. So I will advise the Nigerian system that if you are there, you won’t be there permanently. Where is Awolowo, Ojukwu, Ahmadu Bello, they have left everything but whatever you do, beat your chest that you have done your best.’
‘In the Rotary Club ideal, you have one year no plus one day. So you must complete your project within July 1 – June 30. You can’t renew it, it is time-taxing, financially-taxing, and energy-taxing. If God give you that 1 year of energy, money, and wherewithal it is better you leave so that you don’t crumble.’
Former District Governor of District 9110, Otunba Bola Onabadejo added: ‘A rotarian is someone who has joined other 1.2 million who are putting smiles on faces. Look at what Kukoyi did at no cost to that man, so rotarians volunteer to make the world a better place for all of us. What I will tell our new elected officials is that they should abide by the 4-way test of Rotary Club – is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, would it build goodwill and better friendship, and would it be beneficial to all concerned. If they can do that and with the fear of God in their mind, the world will be a better place.’
The District Governor nominee, District 9110, Rotr. Dr. Wole Kukoyi said: ‘At Rotary Club, we fill the gap where we see any. It is not possible for government to do everything. We encourage government to give their best but we also bring support. We have what we call 7 areas of focus. 3 of them deal with health – sanitation, maternal and child health, and disease prevention.
