Supports Market Women, Students, Boosts Community Healthcare
Rotary International District 9111 has held its inaugural World Meal Greatest Cultural Fiesta, an initiative to raise fund as part of its interventions aimed at eradicating polio in Nigeria.
At the event held at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, members and invited friends were implored to donate generously to the Rotary Foundation to fund activities to combat polio. The money realised during World Meal Greatest Cultural Fiesta will be used to procure vaccines and for advocacy engagements.
Some of the differences at the event were the immediate past district, district, district 9111, Dr. Oluwolele kukoyi; The incumbent, Henry Akinyele, the Immediate Past District Governor, District 9112, Femi Adenekan and the incumbent, Lanre Adedoyin.
The Chairman of the fiesta, and twice past President, Rotary Club of Onigbongbo, Rasaq Babatunde Salau, said rotary will not rest on its oars in its fight against polio. “Nigeria has been certified free since 2022 but prevention is the better cure and this is the reason we are making the clarion call to all mothers to present their children for immunisation.
“We also call on the government to take immunization activities to the rural areas for administration of vaccines and Rotarians will always be ready to complement the efforts of the government by providing volunteers.”
Also, in a sweeping show of community service, the Rotary Club of Isolo has empowered market women with micro-credit loans, sponsored indigent students for their General Certificate Examination (GCE), and upgraded healthcare facilities in the area.
The projects formed part of the club’s corporate social responsibility drive, coinciding with the official visit of Rotary District Governor, Rotarian Prince Henry Akinyele, to the club.
The day’s activities began with a courtesy visit to the King of Isolo, followed by an inspection of the renovated cervical healthcare centre at the Isolo Primary Health Centre. The club recently equipped the facility with new medical gadgets and supplies, responding to needs identified during a community assessment.
As part of its “Unite for Good” micro-credit scheme, the club presented the sum of ₦100,000 each to 10 market women within the Isolo Local Council, enabling them to expand their businesses. The Iyaloja (market leader) praised the gesture, describing it as a boost to economic activity and a testament to the club’s commitment to social development.
In the education sector, 22 indigent students received free General Certificate Examination (GCE) registration forms. While the forms were handed to the beneficiaries, the District Governor pledged a ₦100,000 prize for the candidate who records the best result.
Speaking during the ceremony, Rotary Club of Isolo President, Rtn. Michael King Okanlawon, said the projects reflected Rotary’s spirit of service to humanity. He urged market women to use the loans strictly for their intended purpose and encouraged the students to prepare diligently for their examinations.
The club’s upcoming initiatives include a public speaking competition for secondary schools in the Isolo area, the annual Isolo Race scheduled for December, and other community projects before the end of the Rotary year.
Akinyele expressed admiration for the club’s “impactful and well-targeted” interventions, particularly the cervical cancer centre project, which he described as a model for sustainable healthcare delivery. He pledged to work with the club to secure a Global Grant for the facility’s expansion.
The event ended with expressions of gratitude to God and recognition of the club’s volunteers, whose work continues to shape Isolo’s social and economic landscape.
