Rotary International filling critical gaps in governance, impacting communities – Trustee

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Abuja, Aug. 16, 2025 (NAN) Mrs Ijeoma Okoro, a Trustee of Rotary Foundation, an arm of Rotary International, says the organisation has been helping government to fill some critical gaps, impact communities and provide some essential services.

Okoro said this during a Joint Vibrant Club Workshop, where members reviewed the core areas of Rotary’s work, including grants, membership, corporate governance and the Rotary Foundation, on Saturday in Abuja.

“There is hardly any community in Nigeria where you will not feel the impact of Rotary,” she said, citing initiatives such as micro-credited schemes, malaria control and environmental improvement projects.

“What we’re doing in Rotary is actually what the government is supposed to do. There’s hardly any nook and cranny you go that you won’t have a feel of what Rotary is doing.

“Is it on children? Is it with our impact that made us eradicate polio from Nigeria and from Africa? You know how much money went into it; how much man-hours and all that?

“Is it in the area of water and sanitation? Is it in the area of health? As we speak there’s a 2 million dollar programme taking care of maternal and child care in Nigeria?” she asked.

Okoro, a former district governor, praised the immense contributions of Rotary to Nigeria’s development, describing the organisation as indispensable to the country’s social fabric.

“The organisation continues to impact communities through projects such as a maternal and child health programme in Masaka, organised by District 9127, under the leadership of Princess NkyJoy Okoro.

“The initiative supported more than 200 women in need of Caesarean sections, covering their costs to ensure safe deliveries,” she said.

Also speaking, the District Governor of District 9127, Dame Joy Okoro, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to global fight against polio.

Okoro noted that though Nigeria was certified polio-free five years ago, the battle was not yet over until the disease was completely eradicated worldwide.

“Even though Nigeria is certified polio-free, we continue to work because children are born every day and the risk remains until the disease is wiped out globally.

“Beyond health campaigns, Rotary continues to touch communities through humanitarian services, ranging from building and renovating schools and hospitals to sponsoring the education of less-privileged children.

“On membership, Rotary encourages adults who are able to give and support humanitarian causes while nurturing young people through three stages—iInteractors in secondary schools, Rotaractors in tertiary institutions and eventually full Rotarians,” she said.

In his remarks, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone 2, District 9127, Air Commodore Peter Eke, noted the importance of Rotary International’s Four-Way Test as a guide for personal and national progress.

According to him, the four-way test focus on truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship as principles for stronger communities.

On her part, the President of Rotary Club, Abuja City, Mrs Gloria Ikibah, said that that the workshop was to educate members on the need for collaboration and partnership.

According to her, when clubs come together, friendship fosters, Rotary grows, members stay and more members come, making room for more resources to execute greater humanitarian projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 420 participants were in attendance at the event which featured sessions on membership, grants, public image and integrity to strengthen Rotary’s work across the country. (NAN)