Tinubu Seeks Stronger Partnership With Rotary

By Folasade Akpan

President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and Rotary International in healthcare, education, youth empowerment and community development.

Tinubu made the call on Sunday night in Abuja at the Presidential Inaugural Ball held in honour of the President of Rotary International, Mr Olayinka Babalola, who assumed office on July 1 as the second African to lead the 121-year-old organisation.

The president, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, described the humanitarian organisation as a critical partner in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda.

He also described Babalola’s emergence as a historic achievement for Nigeria and the African continent.

“Babalola’s emergence as the second African to lead Rotary International is a proud moment for Nigeria and for our continent.

“This is not merely a personal distinction. It is a national statement that shows that Nigeria continues to produce men and women of competence and character, whose leadership commands global respect,” he said.

Tinubu said that Rotary’s values of service, integrity, fellowship, diversity and leadership aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised healthcare, education, youth development, job creation and improved service delivery.

The president commended Rotary’s contribution to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Nigeria and Africa, describing the organisation’s role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as one of the greatest examples of international cooperation in public health.

“Government alone cannot do the work of national transformation.

“I, therefore, use this occasion to invite Rotary in Nigeria, and the global Rotary family under President Babalola’s leadership, to deepen partnership with the Federal Government in key human development sectors,” he said.

Tinubu said that collaboration in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, basic education, literacy and youth skills development would produce measurable and lasting benefits for Nigerians.

Also speaking, President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that government alone could not solve the country’s social and humanitarian challenges, calling for stronger collaboration with civil society organisations, professional bodies, corporate organisations and volunteers.

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Akpabio, represented by Sen. Titus Zam, described Babalola’s inauguration as a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa and a triumph of character, service and humanity.

“Every contribution made tonight to this fundraising effort is more than a donation—it is an investment in hope and a vote for healthier children.

“Civil society, professional associations, private citizens, and corporate organisations all have indispensable roles to play in nation-building,” he said.

The Senate President commended Rotary’s global humanitarian interventions, particularly in healthcare, education, disease prevention and access to clean water.

He said that Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self” should inspire public office holders to place national development above personal interests.

Akpabio also urged Nigerians to unite against insecurity, stressing that criminality transcended ethnic, religious and political divides.

“Crime has no ethnicity, terror has no denomination, and violence recognises no political party.

“Therefore, our response must also rise above ethnicity, religion and politics,” he said.

Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Babalola’s election as a defining moment for Nigeria and Africa, noting that it came 22 years after the late Jonathan Majiyagbe became the first African to occupy the office.

Obasanjo said the milestone reflected Africa’s growing recognition for leadership, integrity and service.

“Africa is watching. Nigeria is watching. History is watching,” he said.

He urged Babalola to anchor his administration on Rotary’s Four-Way Test of truth, fairness, goodwill and benefit to all, while strengthening the Rotary Foundation, investing in young Rotarians and promoting ethical leadership.

“You now walk through that door. Do not just follow the path, widen it, so that the third African, the fourth, will come faster than 22 years,” he said.

In his inaugural address, Babalola said that Rotary’s humanitarian programmes in Nigeria had demonstrated the transformative power of partnerships in improving public health and community development.

He said that Rotary remained committed to sustaining the gains made in the fight against polio while expanding interventions to tackle maternal mortality and other public health challenges.

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Babalola said that the organisation’s Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme had exceeded expectations in pilot states.

“Our target was to reduce infant mortality by 25 per cent.

“Infant mortality was reduced by more than 50 per cent, while maternal mortality was reduced by 35 per cent,” he said.

He said that Rotary had also committed about 8.5 million dollars to the Healthy Community Challenge in Kebbi and Akwa Ibom states to combat malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases through prevention, health education and community engagement.

Babalola recalled visiting a health facility in Gombe State where health workers reported that no maternal or infant death had been recorded in the preceding 12 months following Rotary’s intervention.

“This reminds us that our work does not end with a single project or a single year. We are in the business of building a better future,” he said.

The Rotary president appreciated the federal government for supporting the organisation’s humanitarian programmes.

Babalola, whose one-year tenure as Rotary International President began on July 1, is the second African and second Nigerian to occupy the office after the late Jonathan Majiyagbe in 2003.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sadiya Hamza