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Visit to Lagos: Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta Urges Members To Do More Projects

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Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta, has urged Rotarians in District 9110 comprising members from Lagos and Ogun States to redouble their efforts at doing good and touching lives in their various communities.

Rotary International President & soouse being welcomed with a bouquet of flowers by President, Rotakids

 

Rotarian Mehta who was accompanied by his wife, Rashi and Past Rotary International Vice President, Yinka Babalola, was in Lagos as apart of his official visit to Nigeria and was received on arrival by Remi Bello, FCA, Governor of Rotary International District 9110 and other leaders.

Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta & Spouse, Rashi Mehta during the tree planting exercise

The Rotary President who had earlier commissioned the Indo Eye Care Hospital as part of his Lagos visit noted that he was delighted to see Rotary’s excellent and impactful projects.

Rotary International President & spouse with Governors of the four Nigerian Districts & spouses

Mehta revealed how participating in service projects through Rotary changed him as a person and made him empathize more with the needs of others. Soon after joining his club, he helped carry out projects that benefited rural communities in India.

Speaking later at the Rotary Centre, Mehta observed the vaccination of secondary school girls against cervical cancer.

Rtn Kole Jagun, President RC Lagos Palmgrove Estate welcoming Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta as District Governor Elect, Rtn Omotunde Lawson looks on

An elated Mehta said the scourge of Cervical Cancer was real and praised District 9110 for taking up the challenge of reducing the disease.

District Governor elect, Rtn Omotunde Lawson, Past President Michael Effiong & District Secretary, Past President Ehi Braimah

Mehta stated that he wanted members to focus their efforts on empowering girls and ensuring their access to education, resources, services, and opportunities so that future generations of women leaders will have the tools they need to succeed. Mehta averred that diversity, equity, and inclusion was critical to Rotary’s work.

District Governor Nominee Ify Ejezie with PDG Mustapha

He noted that just as the organization took up the challenge of ridding the world of Polio, the fight against cervical cancer was winnable.

Rotary International President observing the Cervical Cancer vaccination programme

As a means to encourage Nigerians to care more for their environment and continue the fight against global warming, the Rotary International President also planted some trees at the Rotary Centre.

 

He said the gesture was not only to show that we should take actions to improve our environment but it symbolizes growth.

He said there was a need for Rotarians to grow more by introducing more people into the service organization. He said his target under the Each One Bring One, Retain All programme was to add at least 100,000 members in the next one year. Adding “If we grow more by adding more members, we would be able to also do more projects and save more lives”.

Rashi Mehta, Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta, Governor, District 9110, Remi Bello, FCA & spouse, Nike Bello

 

He also paid a visit to the Polio House where he was received by the Chairman, Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, Dr Tunji Funsho, a Past District Governor, who took him on a tour of the facility.

Rotarian Mehta commended the work of the Polio Plus Committee and applauded it for its contribution to the effort that has made Nigeria and Africa free of the Wild Polio Virus.

He noted that the experience that Rotary has garnered through over three decades of Polio vaccination will be deployed to help the world fight COVID-19 pandemic and reduce the issue of vaccine hesitancy.

Past Distict Governor, Kola Shodipo, District Governor Remi Bello, Rotary International President with new AKS Donor, Rotarian Bamidele Onalaja & wife, Past President Tolulope Onalaja

In his remarks, Rotarian Bello noted that District 9110 was excited and honoured to be the first port of call of the Rotary International President’s visit to Nigeria.

He revealed that the Rotary President’s activities were carefully chosen in line with his aim of enhancing health and education for the girl-child, membership retention and expansion as well as care for the environment.

Bello said the visit was significant because it will inspire Rotarians to do more community projects, touch more lives and impact humanity.

Rotary International President with District Media Officer, Elizabeth Edozie with Rotarian Michael Effiong, Editor, Ovation International Magazine and Chairman, District 9110 Public Image Committee

Later that evening, Rotarian Mehta and his entourage were hosted to a dinner at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja were he savoured Nigerian culture, cuisine and hospitality.

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Adeleke Rejoices with Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Akanbi at 58

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The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has rejoiced with the Paramount ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, on the occasion of his 58th birthday, lauding the foremost traditional ruler’s passionate commitment to uplifting humanity.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Olawale Rasheed rveals tgat the Governor acknowledges Oba Akanbi’s exceptional sense of dedication to the advancement of Iwoland, utilising contacts and his God-given resources to facilitate developments, praising him for leading the charge for the remarkable transformation that Iwoland is experiencing under his reign.

The Governor commends the frontline monarch for the shared vision for growth and impactful governance, hailing him as a model for purposeful leadership given the monumental progress that Iwoland is recording under this rulership.

“I rejoice with His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, on the occasion of his birthday. Oba Akanbi is a visionary leader and his steadfast pursuit of a virile and prosperous Iwoland is truly inspiring,” the Governor was quoted in a congratulatory message.

“On this day, I honour Kabiyesi’s exceptional contributions to the promotion of our tradition and the endearing effort in fostering peace and harmony in Iwoland and Osun state as a whole.

“It is my prayer that Kabiyesi’s new age brings him more joy and abundant blessings. I also beseech God Almighty to give him more grace to continue his life of service and impact.”

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Coalition Group Floats New Party, ADA, Seeks INEC Registration

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The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.

The Punch

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Atiku Dismisses Tinubu’s Visit to Benue As Political Grandstanding

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue, calling it a ‘political spectacle’ rather than a sincere effort to address the State’s security issues or sympathise with victims of violence.

Atiku’s media adviser Paul Ibe made the comments during a media interview in Abuja on Thursday. He accused the Tinubu administration of focusing on political drama instead of finding real solutions to the growing insecurity in Nigeria.

Ibe said: “It’s commendable when a leader empathises with the people; offering a shoulder to lean on and sharing in their grief is a mark of true leadership. However, the visit was marred by political theatrics. Children were lined up on the highway, waving at the president in the rain; subjecting them to such conditions was unnecessary.”

He also criticised the government’s failure to tackle the root causes of insecurity, pointing out that despite the deaths of over 200 people in recent attacks, there have been no arrests.

“The same security agencies that failed to prevent or investigate this tragedy were quick to tear gas peaceful protesters demanding accountability for their safety. This is unacceptable,” Ibe said.

He further took aim at the Tinubu administration’s general handling of governance, accusing it of misunderstanding the real nature of Nigeria’s security problems.

“When you misdiagnose a problem, the solution will inevitably be flawed; garbage in, garbage out. Look at the individuals heading the security portfolios: they’re politicians, not experts. They’re focused on political gains rather than the demands of their roles,” he remarked.

He stressed the importance of inclusivity in governance, arguing that the exclusion of certain regions, religions, and ethnic groups by the Tinubu government has worsened instability.

“Inclusiveness is a tool for national unity and stability. When you dismiss or alienate people, they will inevitably create chaos,” Ibe stated.

Ibe also criticised the administration’s early focus on the 2027 elections, saying it has distracted from more urgent national concerns.

“The focus on 2027 is distracting from pressing issues, leaving problems unaddressed and insecurity rampant. There’s nothing new this administration has introduced to tackle these challenges,” he added.

His comments come at a time of growing public frustration with the federal government’s response to insecurity.

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