Hope of a new life, devoid of life threaten ailments such as cervical cancer and Congenital Heart diseases beckon for the people of Lagos and Ogun States as Rotary International District 9110 has concluded plans to undertake a massive immunisation and surgery programmes to checkmate the spread of the two killer illnesses.
The humanitarian organisation, according to Dr. Jide Akeredolu, its new District Governor, will also work to reduce Poverty among the peoples of the two states that made up District 9110.
Dr. Akeredolu spoke at a Media Parley preceding his official Installation Ceremony where funds would be raised to undertake his administration’s key humanitarian projects for the 2019-2020 Rotary year.
According to the District Governor, District 9110, under his watch shall mobilise funds from volunteers within and outside the Rotary Circles in order to bring the projects to fruition.
Akeredolu further hinted that the cervical cancer prevention programme has become a priority to his administration, going by the alarming rate at which lives are being lost to the deadly disease in recent times. World Health Organisation statistics show that 26 women die of cervical cancer in Nigeria every day. That translates into one cervical cancer death every 55 minutes! Cervical cancer is unique because it is cancer that is completely preventable by vaccination against the Human Papilloma Virus.
Akeredolu, himself a medical doctor, disclosed that the district has put in front burners the treatment of Congenital Heart Diseases which has continued to claim lives of many children, especially those from indigent families who cannot afford the costs of open heart surgery.
The District Governor maintained that a lion share of funds raised during his tenure would be devoted to addressing the needs of the less privileged in the society through empowerment programmes, using the existing Rotary Vocational Training Centre in Igbogbo, Ikorodu as a pool from where beneficiaries would be sourced.
This, he said is in consonance with Rotary’s commitment of giving hope to vulnerable people around the world.
On funding, Akeredolu disclosed that about N200 million would be required to execute the various projects and programmes in the Rotary year. According to him, Bulk of it will be raised via Rotary grant from the Rotary Foundation, while charitable individuals and corporate bodies are expected to partner by donating cash or materials and logistic support.
“We hope to achieve a lot through medical missions in driving the Congenital Heart Disease project” he said, adding that each mission is open for sponsorship for the sum of one thousand dollars.
Part of the district’s fund raising initiative, Akeredolu revealed it the One million dollars challenge which gives Rotarians and their friends the opportunity of winning a brand new saloon car and other juicy prizes by just donating to the Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is the fund management arm of Rotary, which collects and manages voluntary donations on behalf of Rotary International, from around the world.
Districts and clubs across the world access funds of the Foundation to implement impactful projects all over the world.
Akeredolu’s installation as the district’s 39th governor comes up on Saturday 6th July 2019 at the Muson Centre, Lagos and is expected to be graced by eminent personalities led by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka as special guest of honour, former Presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati while His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos will be royal father of the day.
