.as club stresses importance of tree planting
From Olayinka Zarumi
The Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Kayode Alabi has described Rotary Club International as a godly club with a heart of gold. He said the club’s foundation was built on a heart of godliness and spirit of assisting others.
Alabi stated this in Ilorin recently while receiving the District Governor of Rotary Club International, Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Onukwugha on a courtesy visit.
The District Governor who is charge of 23 states was in the state for familiarization and supervision visit.
The Deputy Governor noted that the club was doing more than what Nigerian politicians were doing. He added that the founder of the club was a godly man who built the club’s foundation on godliness because all the club’s activities were in line with the teachings of the Holy Bible.
He blamed the country’s problem on lack of empathy and good heart to serve among Nigerians, adding that without love all aspects of life would be meaningless.
“I want to assure you that I will join Rotary club because you are doing great in terms of helping people. That is what people in government should be doing and you are doing it. So, I pray that Rotarians should join politics and take charge because they are already used to what people in government should be doing,” he said.
In his remark, the District Governor said that Rotary club which was established over 150 years ago, had been doing a lot in terms of humanitarian services.
He mentioned education and literacy, water sanitation, disease control and maternal and child health care, economic empowerment, peace and conflict resolution as six areas of focus by the club.
He said he was in the state as part of familiarization and supervision visit and solicited for the state government’s support for the club so that it could realize the set goals.
He said that “by the time I leave here, Your Excellence will become a Rotarian. The theme for this year activities is “Rotary Connect the World”.
He later decorated the Deputy Governor with ordinary member with the hope that he would transform into full membership.
Meanwhile, the President of Rotary Club, Ilorin Metro District 91125, Dr. Khadijat Toyin Musah has advised residents of Kwara State to imbibe the culture of planting trees to mitigate the effect of climate change.
She gave the advice in Ilorin during the flag-off of tree planting by the district held at the contact office of Kwara State University (KWASU), Sango Area, Ilorin recently.
She explained that the tree planting was initiated by the club to reduce the effect of climate change in the state.
Dr. Musah, who is the 2nd female President and 7th President of the district, added that planting of tree would also beautify the environment and urged the people of the state to imbibe the culture of planting trees in their environment.
She said that the symbolic planting of tree by the District Governor was to recognize his presence and identify with the club’s activities as they were in line with the core objectives of the club.
She added that the club decided to do the planting at the contact office of KWASU to create a solid collaboration between the university and the club.
She assured of the club’s commitment to always partner with the government in meeting the needs of the people, adding that government alone could not do it all.
He advised residents of the state to collaborate with the club so that the set targets would be achieved. Former Military Governor, Col. Theophilus Bamigboye; District Governor-elect, Barrister Jumoke Bamigboye; Assistant Governor, John Waya; Assistant Governor, Rotary Club International, AG Olalekan Fatai; Connect President from RC Ilorin GRA, Rotarian Ayo Olagunju; Alhaji Zakari A. Musah, Board of Directors and members of Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro and a host of other Rotarians in Kwara State were in attendance during the courtesy visit and tree planting.
