The Rotary Club of Ojodu hosted the District Governor of Rotary International District 9112, Rotarian Bukola Bakare, on her first official visit to the club since assuming office. The visit combined fellowship, leadership engagement, project review and humanitarian service.
The District Governor was accompanied by the Assistant Governor supervising the Rotary Club of Ojodu, Rotarian Ibironke Ogun; District Executive Secretary, Assistant Governor Felix Nwagwu; District Project Chair, Past Assistant Governor Adeniyi Adesanya; and other district officials.
She was received by the President of the Rotary Club of Ojodu, Rotarian Johnpaul Chigbo, members of the Board and other Rotarians, who welcomed the District Governor and her delegation to the club.
The official visit provided an opportunity for the District Governor to engage directly with the club’s leadership and members, review its activities and projects, and encourage members to sustain their commitment to the ideals of Rotary International and the district’s service priorities.
SUPPORT FOR DON BOSCO CHILD PROTECTION CENTRE
One of the major highlights of the visit was the delegation’s trip to the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre, popularly known as the Bosco Boys Street Children’s Home in Lagos and operated by the Salesians of St John Bosco.
As part of the club’s humanitarian intervention, a cheque was presented to the centre to support the provision of essential items required for the care, training and general wellbeing of the young boys in its care.
The Don Bosco Child Protection Centre provides far more than food and shelter. It offers a safe and nurturing environment where vulnerable children receive education, emotional support and vocational training, while acquiring practical skills and opportunities to build productive and independent lives.
Speaking on the intervention, the Director of the home, Fr. Peter Gbertyo (SDB), expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club of Ojodu for the gesture and its continued support for the children.
Fr. Gbertyo stressed that the mission of the centre goes beyond providing immediate necessities, noting the importance of giving the children education, emotional care, vocational skills and guidance to enable them rebuild their lives and become responsible and productive members of society.
He also acknowledged the contributions of organisations such as Rotary in supporting the centre’s work and creating opportunities for the children to look beyond their present circumstances and aspire to a better future.
The cheque was presented on behalf of the District Governor by Assistant Governor Ibironke Ogun and District 9112 Project Chair, Past Assistant Governor Adeniyi Adesanya.
ROTARY CLUB OF OJODU SUPPORTS OZANAM HOUSE
The delegation thereafter proceeded to Ozanam House in Agidingbi, Ikeja, where food items and other essential provisions were presented to the charity home.
Ozanam House, run by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, provides temporary shelter, care, support and practical skills training for young women and girls who require protection and assistance.
The Rotary Club of Ojodu has maintained a relationship with Ozanam House for more than a decade. Support for the home has consequently become a significant part of the club’s community service activities and remains one of its regular humanitarian engagements, particularly during official visits by District Governors.
The longstanding relationship reflects the club’s approach to community service, which goes beyond one-off donations to building meaningful and sustained partnerships with institutions working directly with vulnerable members of society.
Speaking on the humanitarian interventions, the President of the Rotary Club of Ojodu, Rotarian Johnpaul Chigbo, expressed delight at the opportunity to support both institutions.
He explained that the interventions demonstrated the practical meaning of Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self, with Rotarians bringing together their resources, goodwill and collective strength to respond to genuine needs within the community.
According to him, the support was not simply about the items presented, but about giving hope and demonstrating solidarity with individuals and organisations working to improve the lives of vulnerable members of society.
Rotarian Chigbo also appreciated members of the Rotary Club of Ojodu for their continued commitment and generosity, particularly their willingness to support the club’s humanitarian initiatives year after year.
He noted that the longstanding relationships with the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre and Ozanam House demonstrated the club’s determination to ensure that its service projects produced meaningful and lasting impact.
Assistant Governor Ibironke Ogun commended the Rotary Club of Ojodu for its consistent support for both institutions. She expressed confidence that the items and resources provided would be put to good use for the benefit of those in their care, while encouraging other individuals and organisations to support initiatives that improve the lives and prospects of vulnerable members of society.
DISTRICT GOVERNOR ENGAGES CLUB LEADERSHIP
The humanitarian activities formed part of a wider programme for the District Governor’s official visit, which culminated in a Board meeting with the leadership and members of the Rotary Club of Ojodu at the club’s fellowship venue, Protea Hotel Ikeja Select.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Rotarian Bakare to engage with the club’s Board, review its activities and projects, discuss its achievements and challenges, and encourage members to remain focused on the objectives of Rotary International and the district.
The fellowship also provided an avenue for members of the club and the District Governor’s entourage to interact in an atmosphere of friendship and Rotary fellowship.
In keeping with the spirit of giving that characterised the visit, the Rotary Club of Ojodu also presented cheques to The Rotary Foundation and the District Endowment and Empowerment Fund (DEWEF).
The District Governor, who expressed delight at the contributions, said they reaffirmed the club’s commitment not only to projects within its immediate community but also to the wider humanitarian objectives of Rotary.
She encouraged the Rotarians of the club not to relent in supporting sustainable service initiatives that make a difference in the lives of people.
APPRECIATION AND CLOSING
The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the District Governor’s visit and Doyen of the Rotary Club of Ojodu, Past Assistant Governor Agborpaschal Onyejegbu, expressed appreciation to Rotarian Bukola Bakare and members of her entourage for honouring the club with the official visit.
He commended the President, Rotarian Johnpaul Chigbo, members of the Board and the entire membership of the club for their commitment to ensuring a successful programme.
As part of the closing activities, PAG Onyejegbu presented the District Governor with a framed photograph as a commemorative gift for her newly refurbished office.
The visit was a significant moment of fellowship, reflection and renewed commitment to service, bringing together the leadership of District 9112 and members of the Rotary Club of Ojodu in furtherance of Rotary’s humanitarian mission.
Beyond the ceremonial aspects of the visit, the humanitarian engagements at the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre and Ozanam House reinforced the central place of community service in the activities of the Rotary Club of Ojodu.
Through its sustained partnerships, contributions to Rotary’s humanitarian funds and continued support for vulnerable members of society, the club demonstrated that Service Above Self is not merely a Rotary slogan, but a commitment expressed through practical action and lasting community impact
