AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: BRIG. GEN. MLD SARASO RECOGNIZED AT ROTR. ABINIBI’S INVESTITURE; NEW PRESIDENT VOWS TO CONTINUE GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMY 9TH BRIGADE
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rtn. Olawuyi B. Abinibi and Representatives of the Commander, 9th Brigade Command, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig. Gen. MLD Saraso, Major M. Gambo delivering the 9th Brigade Commander’s Remarks during the Installation of Rtn. Olawuyi as the 10th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA.
The Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army 9th Brigade Command, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos, Brig. Gen. MLD Saraso was recognized at the investiture ceremony of the 10th President of Rotary Club Ikeja GRA over the weekend. Being the head of the largest beneficiary community of the humanitarian initiatives of the club, the military officer was glad at the honour done to him.
Speaking at the event exclusively with Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper, the representative of Brig. Gen. MLD Saraso, Major M. Gambo said: ‘My Commander was impressed because our brigade, the 9th Brigade is the first beneficiary of this Rotary Club so he was so glad that he said I must be here today.’
L-R: President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rtn. Olawuyi B. Abinibi with Major M. Gambo, Representatives of the 9th Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. MLD Saraso during the Installation of Rtn. Olawuyi as the 10th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA.
On the impact of the club, Major Gambo said: ‘The Rotary Club is doing a wonderful work and I want them to continue. They are peace lovers. They are helping the humanity. They are practically doing Army work which we are doing on the field. I will encourage them to continue.’
The immediate past President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rotr. Alex Abah remarked: ‘First and foremost, I will appreciate the Brigade Commander for responding to us and cooperating with us to do our community service. If we don’t have a base, we can’t really express what Rotary is about.’
‘One of the seven areas of focus is water and we found that they need water, so we provided water for them. In the area of environment, we planted some trees there. We did the Breast Cancer Awareness there also. They have been very helpful for us. They called some of our members to come and take their COVID-19 vaccine there. I appeal to individuals that no matter how little, please love your neighbor. If I love you, I wouldn’t harm you. We have to make life comfortable in our own little way. Rotary is at the forefront of loving our neighbor.’
The past President of Rotary Club Mushin Golden, Rotr. Ayo Adeyemi noted: ‘The truth is that Rotary Club affords everyone the opportunity to touch lives. Naturally, some people will want to start foundations but you find out that your resources are not enough to solve the problem but when you give Rotary, I bring my own, you bring yours, we may not have all the money but we will touch lives. That is what Rotary has been doing for over 100 years beyond Nigeria.’
L-R: District Governor, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria, Rotarain Remi Bello, FCA in a warm handshake with the Newly Installed President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rtn. Olawuyi B. Abinibi
‘People feel it is an elite club but you don’t have to have all the money to join Rotary, it is the heart of giving, it is the willingness to give. The world will be a better place when we can share from our little token and we touch lives to make the world a better place to live. Rotary is committed to kick polio out, to build boreholes, to support education, that is what we have been doing and it gives us joy because people will ask us what is your benefit. That is what gives us joy.’
The new President, Rotr. Olawuyi Babatunde Abinibi is poised to continue the symbiotic relationship which exists between the military community and the organization. ‘Serving is more work. I will continue to do more. I thank the club for believing so much in me’, he told Trek Africa Newspaper.
