The journey of a thousand years start with a step in the right direction, we are all alive to witness this day that we are celebrating the four decades of service to humanity. The seed planted on Thursday 8th July 1982, at Beach Comber Night club, Maryland Estate by the then District Governor and today’s Chairman, PDG Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, Late PDG Babs Ajayi (District Extension Chair), Late Rotarian Hon. Justice Adeoba, Late PDG Oluwole Folarin, PP Romeo Baberopoulos of Rotary Club of Ikeja, PDG Banjo Solaru of RC Ilupeju, District Governor Special Representative Wole Thompson and other chartered members of the Club had sprouted greatly to become a tree. Kudos to you all (Recognition of chartered members present and a minute silence in honour of all the late members).
Abhijit Naska once said “make your existence a cynosure of service”. Rotary Club of Onigbongbo has weathered many storms, gone through thick and thin, yet standing tall amongst her peers because of our faith in Rotary core values which are Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service and Leadership. We have been privileged to have every leadership of the Club and members lay more bricks on the foundation each year. “Service to humanity is service to God, so let Love and Light of the Kingdom radiates through you until all who look upon you shall be illuminated by its reflection”(Abdu’l- Baha). Our celebration today is the reflection of our impact in the society.
Now, it is the Imaginative year and our turn to imagine the future of the Club, setting new bricks and starting a new chapter in the history of our dear Club. Just as Rotary International President Jennifer Jones charged us to ” imagine a world that deserves our best where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference”; in times like this, when many institutions are collapsing; education,health are out of reach, insecurity, natural disaster, hunger and poverty starring at our faces, it’s our time to make the difference.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, our Club is saddled with the herculean task of putting smiles on people’s faces and providing succour to the inhabitants of our community and beyond. Our programmes and projects are fashioned in line with Rotary monthly designated programmes and sustainable areas of focus namely: Peace and conflict prevention / resolution;
- Basic Education and Literacy;
- Water and Sanitation;
- Maternal and Child Health;
- Disease Prevention and Treatment;
- Peace Building and Conflict Prevention/ Resolution;
- Economic and Community Development; and Support for the Environment.
Dear friends,” the purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and have the will to help others “(Albert Schweitzer). Today, our Club opens doors of opportunities, relationships and partnerships to work for the common good of our people. Woodrow Wilson said, “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” We call on you, individuals, family and corporate entities here present to support, sponsor and donate to our programmes and projects (attach list of projects). Martin Luther king Jr stated that Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? And according to Mother Theresa (of blessed memory), if you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one”.
In conclusion, I will enjoin you to please choose one or more projects to support, as part of your Corporate Social Responsibility today. All such will be appreciated and recognized.
Thank you.
Rtn. Salau Rasaq
President 2022-2023