Rotary International District 9110 which covers Lagos and Ogun States has stated that The Rotary Foundation is committed to making the world a better place.

This noble objective was made  known in an evening of glitz and glamour at the 2022 edition of its yearly The Rotary Foundation Fundraising Dinner which was held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the District Governor, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, said: “The Rotary Foundation, which is the non-profit arm of Rotary International, was established by the 6th Rotary International President, Arch Klump, in 1917. It is that vision and his dream of making the world better for all that has driven us into committing our resources and consistently contributing to the Foundation.

“The Foundation began with a mustard seed donation of $26.50 and has since reached over $1.9 billion and still growing.”

According to her, “The Rotary Foundation has set a goal of increasing its endowment fund to $2.025 billion by year 2025, while the goal of District 9110 is to raise $1.2 million this Rotary year.

“Though this sounds so ambitious and unachievable, but we are not scared, it can only keep us on our toes and make us think out of the box and seek for more strategic ways of fund raising.”

She revealed that the District has raised a whopping $590,000 in five months and introduced the novel PolioPlus Society (the first District in Nigeria to start the initiative) which has generated $91,000 with a redeemable pledge of almost $20,000 still coming in gradually.” She added.

She disclosed further that, “It may interest our guests to know that Rotarians and few non-Rotarians here seated have generously donated $1000 to the Rotary Foundation this Rotary year irrespective of what they had contributed in the past.”

“Our District can now boast of two additional Arch Klump Society members in quick succession within the first three weeks of this Rotary year, they are Past President Dare Adeyeri, Chairman of this TRF fund raising dinner and Rotarian Urum Kalu Eke, both of the prestigious number 1 club in District 9110, Rotary Club of Lagos. I also acknowledge the generous donations of our brand-new Major Donors and those who have upgraded from multiple Paul Harris Fellows to becoming first, second and third level Major Donors,” she noted with satisfaction.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman, The Rotary Foundation Fundraising Dinner Committee, Dare Adeyeri pointed out that, “The Rotary Foundation is the vehicle through which Rotary International, the largest humanitarian and service organisation in the world, does good in the world and particularly in Nigeria, through projects that advance international understanding, goodwill and peace, improvement of healthcare, support for education, alleviation of poverty, protection of the environment and polio eradication.

According to Adeyeri, “Happiness, freedom and service are goals that we all seek. These underline our daily struggles, including the desire for good education, to learn a trade, make a living and provide for our families amongst other goals.”

However, “To pursue happiness, freedom and security at the expense of society is to undermine one’s self. It’s a waste of time and energy. It’s a threat to existence that truncates one’s ability to unfold their highest possibilities.”

“Giving, through The Rotary Foundation promotes peace by identifying and curbing the triggers of conflict, fight deseases, provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment amongst other impactful projects.”

The annual fundraising gala provides an avenue where members of Rotary Clubs in Lagos and Ogun States converge and network with one another with a singular aim of making society a better place by making donation to The Rotary Foundation.

At the dinner over $100,000 was raised for worthy causes such as polio eradication that the foundation has been involved in for years

Rotary leaders in attendance included Past Rotary International Vice President (PRIVP) Yinka Babalola, Endowment and Major Gifts Advisor, Past District Governor Ijeoma Pearl Okoro; Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator, Past District Governor Deinde Shoga; Past District Governors, Rotarians as well as friends and guests of Rotary.