Rotary Club Earmarks N79m to Boost Education, Others

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja, has announced plans to invest about N15 million to construct a block of classrooms with an assembly hall and offices at Wasimi Junior School, Mende Maryland for the 2021-22 Rotary Year.

In addition to providing other services to boost basic education and literacy in the state, the club said it would invest N79 million in education and six other areas to cover the seven focus areas of Rotary International.

Its newly installed president, Bamidele Onalaja, who announced this during his investiture in Lagos, noted that his tenure would increase adult literacy in communities, reduce gender disparity in education, and provide financial support for professionals related to basic education and literacy.

He said the classrooms would be ready by September 2021. In maternal and child health, Onalaja announced plans to build a maternal and child centre in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos and provide other services in the sector to the tune of N50 million.

Onalaja, the “20th Hope President,” said the club would also improve access to essential medical services, trained community health leaders and health care providers for mothers and children. It will also provide financial support for career-minded professionals with an interest in maternal and child health.

The event, attended by dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was also an avenue to raise funds for the projects. The president stated that the Chris Bamidele Onalaja Foundation (CBOF), which he founded, will collaborate with the club to execute the 2021-2022 Rotary Year projects.

According to him, work has commenced on the maternal and child centre, and the project would be inaugurated before the end of the current Rotary Year. He, therefore, solicited the support of members and other stakeholders, as he promised to work tirelessly to actualise the seven points agenda of Rotary International.

While highlighting the club’s achievements last Rotary Year, the immediate past president, Obafemi Obadina, explained that the club could execute projects covering the seven areas of focus, despite the COVID-19 challenges. At the end of the last Rotary year, the club emerged as the second overall best of the Rotary International District 9110.

In his remarks, the District Governor, Remi Bello, urged Nigerians to inculcate the spirit of Rotary in everything they do; to see their positions as an opportunity to serve. He also advised the new president not to lose focus, as his projects align with the theme of the new Rotary year, ‘Serve to Change Lives’.

Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife commended the club for choosing Onalaja as its president, saying the members will feel his impact in the club because he is focused and would execute every task to the latter.