Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, on Sunday joined the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central in Lagos State.
The induction ceremony was supervised by the Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Rotarian (Otunba) Bola Onabadejo.
The ceremony, where Onabadejo was assisted by other Rotary leaders in attendance, was the highlight of the fourth anniversary ceremony of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central.
Rotarian Duke, who was the first Governor of the South South state, had been invited by the President of the club, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde, and delivered an inspiring speech centred on Rotary’s Four-Way test.
He counselled that the ideals of Rotary should be adopted by institutional bodies and individuals as a way of life.
Emphasising that the society would have been a better place, particularly for the less privileged if these principles of selflessness had been embraced, the new Rotarian said: “The real wretchedness is not the people around you, but you yourself.”
Duke broke life into three phases of 25 years each.
The first 25, he explained, is the period to learn to live and acquire skills.
The second season is when to learn and practice how to earn, while the third phase, which takes every individual beyond 75 years, is the time to give.
Duke said that giving is not only in terms of resources, but can also be in sacrificing one’s time and talents, which is in line with Rotary “Service Above Self” mantra.
He gladly accepted his membership of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central as an active, rather than a honorary member, becoming the first of five new members inducted at the ceremony.
Onabadejo, who was the Father of the Day, said he had always admired Duke for his transformative and impactful projects as governor and his principles of others above self.
He said that Nigeria needed more of its citizens to live like Duke, who related freely with guests and had no airs.
The induction ceremony was conducted by the District Governor Nominee Designate of District 9111, Rotarian Sam Ayetutu.
He was assisted by the Assistant Governor for Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central, Rotarian Ibraheem Adebayo; Past Assistant Governor, Rotarian Kayode Owolabi (the pioneer AG of the club); and Executive Secretary of District 9111, AG Valentine Shomoye (also a former AG of the club), among other top Rotarians and distinguished personalities.
Other inducted members were Rotarian Temitope Faborode, Rotarian Niyi Amosu, Rotarian Ayodele Omirin, and Rotarian Precious Muotoh.
Another major highlight of the night was the inauguration of the club’s League of Past Presidents.
With two of them outside the country, Rotarian (Dr.) Adebukunola Soile-Balogun represented all the three Past Presidents.
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The others are: Rotarian Deji Shonuga, the Charter President (2020-2021, 2021-2022); and Rotarian Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi (2023-2024).
In her year as second President of the club (2022-2023), Soile-Balogun led the club to win the third best award in the then District 9110, made up of over 140 clubs.
Akintunde explained that the League of Past Presidents would serve as advisory to the incumbent President, giving their own experience as leaders of the club. ‘But it will not be obstructive to the goals of the sitting President’.
Dignitaries at the event included Public Relations and Experiential Marketing expert, AG Ehi Braimah; former Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Bolaji Oyeleye; author and brand analyst, Ikem Okuhu; financial expert, Segun Adebayo; and Communications Consultant, Jerry Sawyer.
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