Rotary Club of Maryland to Boost Maternal, Child Health, Others with N79m

By Uchechukwu Nnaike

In line with its commitment to an improved maternal and child health, the Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja, recently announced plans to build a maternal and child centre in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos and provide other services in the sector at the cost of N50 million for the 2021-2022 Rotary Year.

The newly installed President, Rotarian Bamidele Onalaja, who announced this during his investiture ceremony in Lagos, said the club will invest a total of N79 million to intervene in maternal and child health and six other areas to cover Rotary International’s seven areas of focus in the current year.

In the area of child and maternal health, he said the club plans to 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 interest in maternal and child health.

Onalaja, the 20th Hope President of the club said in the area of basic education and literacy, his administration intends to build a new block of classroom at the cost of N15 million; increase adult literacy in communities; work to reduce gender disparity in education; as well as provide financial support for career-minded professionals related to basic education and literacy.

For water hygiene and sanitation, he said the club would construct five boreholes in communities to the tune of N4.2 million.

It will also strengthen the ability of communities to develop, fund and maintain sustainable water and sanitation system; support programmes that enhance communities’ awareness of the benefits of safe water, sanitation system and hygiene; and support studies for career-minded professionals related to water and sanitation.

Other areas of intervention are: disease prevention and control (N3 million); peace building and conflict prevention (N2 million); community economic development (N3.5 million); and supporting the environment (N2 million).

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 projects of the 2021-2022 Rotary Year.

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, while the block of classrooms will be ready by September.

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, Rotarian Obafemi Obadina said the club was able to execute projects covering the seven areas of focus, despite the COVID-19 challenges. He said at the end of last Rotary Year, the club emerged the second overall best of the Rotary International District 9110.

In his remarks, the District Governor, Rotarian 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 are in line with the theme of the new Rotary Year, ‘Serve to Change Lives’. So he should stay focused to complete them.

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