Inaugural Address
Protocol:
Distinguished Rotarians, members of the Rotary family and guests, I have the honour and privilege to welcome you once again to this part of the Installation Ceremony. I thank the Almighty God for the mercies and blessings He has showered on us in the past years and for preserving our lives to be at this year's Installation Ceremony.
I want to thank also our past District Governors for their untiring efforts in seeing that our District is one amongst equals worldwide and second to none in our country; Nigeria.
Looking back at my service years especially the year as the District Secretary, I have come to realize that, together, we can take this District to greater heights. I am therefore.more detennined than ever to achieve my dreams for District 9110 this Rotary year. I believe in teamwork and continuity. The past works of my predecessors, Past District Governors (PDGs) will be sustained and built upon. "THE LABOURS OF OUR HEROES PAST SHALL NEVER BE IN VAIN".
Those who had worked with me closely will testify that the results of our District assignments had been rewarding and profitable to the District at all times. Talk of the organized PETS, District Assemblies, Zonal meetings, DLS, RYLA to mention but a few are all testimonies of what we had been able to jointly carry out for the District at different times.
Every year, the baton of leadership passes to a new class of leaders. Paul Harris passed it to his successors, and they have passed it down to us. We have the responsibility to them, and to all Rotarians, to do justice to our office and the confidence that has been placed in us.
Rotary itself is a unique opportunity to appreciate what our creator has endowed us and in a way to give thanks to Him - our creator all the time.
Dear District Leaders and Fellow Rotarians, as we embark together on our year as leaders in our various Clubs, I ask for your support in making 2009 -20 l0 a very successful and fulfilling Rotary year.
One of the main objectives as Clubs' leaders is to remind us of our personal responsibility to Rotary and its ideals, as exemplified by our theme: "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands".
With input from Rotary worldwide, Rotary International has developed a strategic plan with seven priorities that set the course for a strong future. To detennine these priorities, Rotary International surveyed grassroots
Rotarians and senior leaders from many parts of the world, asking them what issues would be most important to Rotary in the coming years. Now is the time for us to take the initiative to make this plan a reality.
* Eradicating Polio is our first and main priority. Through our fundraising challenge, we can help to provide the resources to finish this crucial job and keep our promise to the world.
It will be my utmost desire if all Rotarians could dedicate at least 1 day of monitoring and supervision during the forthcoming August 1-4,2009 SIPDs and subsequent exercises.
* Advancing the recognition and public image of Rotary will help Rotary attract new members and cooperation from other organizations. Polio Plus has given Rotary prominence on the world stage. Now is the time to build on our international reputation by promoting our local and global service activities to the media and to our communities.
* Increasing Rotary's capacity to provide service speaks to the heart of Rotary's mission. Every Rotarian can contribute to reaching this goal by volunteering a little more time, talent, and enthusiasm along all four Avenues of Service. In 2009 - 2010, Rotarians are encouraged to continue to focus their service efforts in the areas of water, health and hunger, and literacy vital issues that clubs have been addressing most effectively in recent years.
* Expanding membership globally in both numbers and quality is a key priority because everything Rotary hopes to accomplish depends on its members. Each of us is responsible for bringing in qualified new members. Too few Rotarians fulfill this responsibility, and oniy Rotarians have the ability to increase our numbers by inviting others to join their club.
* Emphasizing Rotary's unique vocational service commitment will enable us to 'distinguish Rotary from other service and humanitarian organizations. By demonstrating our strong commitment to high ethical standards in our professional lives, we can provide a model for our colleagues, our employees, our customers even our competitors to follow.
*Optimizing leadership talents within RI is essential to Rotary's 'future, Each of us should take a leadership role, whether it be heading a club committee or service project or serving at the district or international level. All Rotarians are leaders in their businesses and professions; let us be leaders in
Rotary as well
* Fully Implementing the strategic planning process to ensure continuity will allow us to make a smooth transition during the annual change in leadership at the Club, District, and International levels.
During this Rotary year, our areas of emphasis will be and not limited to:
Water and Sanitation Project
Water is our first emphasis because it is the first necessity for every man, woman, and child. We could, I luppose, all live without oil, but none of us can live without water. And so we must work to bring clean water :0 those who lack it, as well as ensure the safety of existing supplies. This is an area in which the RI President )elievedstrongly, and worked consistently, for the last 20 years. And from his experience he has emphasized hat water projects must encompass projects that deal with sanitation, because without adequate sanitation, lur good work is easily undone.
I am gIad to inform you that there will be several projects on clean and safe water in our communities. Thanks to the several efforts by my predecessors from past years and their personal contacts with their ounterparts in other countries. I also made contacts with my classmates and we are presently working on various projects.
Health and Hunger
lealth and Hunger issues affect the entire world. Preventable diseases like HIV / AIDS and malaria result in 1e deaths of more than six million people each year. Every year, over 6.6million children never see their fifth birthday. Good nutrition, which is necessary for health growth improves a child's immune system. Many health conditions are related to hunger. Every year, more than 852 million people are malnourished, laking them more susceptible to disease. In this regard, we intend to embark on related programs to address some of these issues.
A country should value the health of its people, as a healthy nation translates to economic productivity.
Voices of healthy children playing and going to schools should be the dream of every nation. A healthy baby born to a healthy mother is the joy of not only the immediate family but the nation as a whole.
Without food, there is no health, without health, there is no hope. A healthy family can look to the future; a future beyond poverty. Health and Hunger must be tackled.
Jaipur Limb Workshop In Abeokuta
This will involve the provision of 500 artificial limbs in Abeokuta. This will empower beneficiaries to make use of their limbs instead of depending on their family members for their every need.
Intercontinental Medicare Project
This will be between our District and two (2) Districts in India. It involves 500 cataract (EPS), 100 orthopedic cases and 100 Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeries.
Blood Bank
Immediate access to safe blood in times of emergencies can save lives therefore through the Safe Blood Africa Project we plan to have two (2) blood banks; one at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta and the other at General Hospital, Gbagada.
Roll Back Malaria
It is a known fact that malaria accounts for more deaths than any known disease especially in Africa. We shall provide free insecticide treated mosquito nets to most health centres and families in our communities to prevent mosquito bites.
Reduction of Children Blah Mortality Rate
The District shall reduce Children High Mortality Rate through the provision of incubators to various Hospitals in Lagos and Ogun States.
Membership
Our main focus for our year together will be on membership. You will realize that for several years, the membership in our district has been dwindling. This of course is due to our not doing enough to form new clubs, in recruiting quality Rotarians and retaining members and clubs. This is the main reason why the "Membership Emergency" that would be Chaired by PDG Somo Omoniyi is declared for this Rotary year. Minimum of 30% net growth is what we are aiming to achieve at the end of this Rotary year.
Literacy and Numeracy
The projects on Literacy and Numeracy will be encouraged and continued through District support especially our Concentrated Learning Encounter (CLE). During this Rotary year, plans are in top gear to have an exchange programmes between our counterparts in South Africa and Philippines to further improve our knowledge on this system of leaming.
GSE Team
Our GSE Team to be led by a seasoned Rotarian will be visiting District 6460, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago between April 4 and May 9, 2010 and the exchange team will be with us between April II and May 16,2010. This will afford both teams to be together while in USA and also during our District Conference here in Nigeria.
Contribution To The Rotary Foundation
Our target for the 2009-2010 Rotary year is to have a minimum of 500 PHF. We can do and even surpass it. I have confidence in the Chairmanship of the Annual Giving for the Rotary year. He has started work and has been briefing me on some of his plans to achieve this Rotary year. This might include, Major Donors; Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) and the Annual Giving as a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF).
Working together with him is the Chairman of the Paul Harris Fellows (PHF) Society for this Rotary year.
2010 Rotary International lRI) Convention In Montreal. Canada
The RI Convention in our year will be held in Montreal, Canada between June 20 - 23, 2010. Effort is in top gear to see that procurement of visa to Canada will be without stress. I have already started discussing with the Convention convener, PDG Bob Scott whom I met during my training in San Diego, USA and when he came to Abuja, Nigeria sometimes last year for the Polio Seminar. He did promise stress-free visa procurement.
As I will not want to further bore you with much speech as time is not on our side, may I humbly say that ,with all due respect and in all modesty, I hereby solicit for your support to see us through by your humble donations toward 'Our projects for this Rotary year 2009- 2010.
Now to my home club, the Rotary Club ofOkota. I cannot thank the members enough for their belief in me and their overwhelming support right from the electioneering/nomination stage to this very moment. Rotary Club of Okota is made up of wonderful people. I appreciate you all. I thank our sister clubs in the Okota environs for their tremendous solidarity. To other clubs in the district, I appreciate your support, I thank you very much.
I must thank all the dignitaries that have graced this occasion. I cannot mention you all individually but I am sincerely grateful. I feel greatly honoured by our cheerful given Chairman and Special Guest of Honour.
Our Royal Father, Your Royal Highness Oba Gbadebo, your presence here today is a further demonstration of the ancestral relationship between Egba and Oyo. I am very grateful to you and your retinue of Chiefs. May your reign be long and remain peaceful.
Our Guest Speaker is a friend of Rotary for many years. A brilliant scholar, an administrator, an embodiment of humility and a great Nigerian indeed. He did not allow me to go through the stress of shopping for a Guest Speaker. As soon as the Committee Members approached him, he said to them, "I'm all yours".
To our Special Guest of Honour, an entrepreneur per excellence. I cannot thank you enough for accepting to play this role with all its financial implications but as a silent philanthropist, I know you are a cheerful giver. God will continue to bless you abundantly and increase your coast.
My family members had been of tremendous support and source of encouragement. I thank you all for your contributions to the success of this occasion.
I wish to acknowledge here the amount of support I received from a very amiable elder, a PDG and in fact an uncle, Dr. Jide Oyewo. I cannot quantify it. I am indeed grateful for all your assistance.
I thank the Partners and Workers of Tayo Alabi & Associates & Dabtay Nigeria Limited for their untiring efforts to see that the two Companies survive despite all odds.
The greatest blessing anymore prays for is his family. I thank this lady/woman, Adesola who has given me comfort and a home called paradise since the 70s. To my children, I say thank you for your understanding.
I am indebted to you all and I can only repay by giving back to Rotary, my heart. Please give me your hands my friends, as Rotary is Good.
May God bless you all.
Rotarian (Engr.) Emmanuel Tayo Alabi District Governor 2009 -10
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