‘relieve the Entire VIlirtual Handing Ceremony ‘
Dedeigbo Ayodeji
2020-2021 Hand Over Speech by the outgoing President Ota ,Rotarian Funke Doris Salau , who Officially handed over to the President elect Rotarian Wale Has an on Saturday June 26,2021 at Maridon Hotel Toll Gate Ota ,area of Ogun State Southwest Nigeria.
The event was a colourful event with a lot of varieties during the occasion, several gift were distributed
In her speech she said ,
Greetings and good evening, to all Rotarians zooming on to this virtual handover – a first for many rotary clubs in the world because of COVID-19.
” A warm and special welcome to our Guest Speaker, Rotary International, Regional Membership Officer.
” The time has come for my final outgoing remarks.
” I give God the glory for sparing my live ,husband and the children .
” It has been a very hectic,active, educative ,fun and certainly a very rewarding year in spite of the challenges encountered in this Rotary year .
” We have had the opportunities to offer good health ,to ease traffic within ota ,and to do many more ,by putting service above self in everything .
” We have been able to deliver on our programmers and activities despite the pandemic .
” Our great Club was the first club to earn the Rotary Citation among club by members and the District in this Rotary year , and from the District , over 24 Award were received by the club members and the club .
” On the whole ,more than 30 projects were executed in this Rotary year.
” Our own PAG Wole Kukoyi was unanimously elected as the pioneer Chairman of the first Rotary Club and inter- Country committee (Nigeria Chapter) between United Kingdom and Nigeria .
” Our Club also produced the District ,Rotaract Representative Nominee of Rotaract District 9110,Rotarian Afolabi .A .Abdulahi .
“The Club also nominated Kukoyi to vie for the position of District Governor designate and he came second .
” Thank you to all members for your contributions and support in the Rotary year.
” I remembered when the COVID19 started in the year 2020 ,a lot of speculations speculations were going round ,that during my year as president because of the pandemic ,the club installation will be a mirage ,to raise money to execute Rotary Projects will be difficult and to gather for physical meetings will not work.
In spite of all speculations ,our meetings continue through zoom meetings make it happened to have fun and get more donations from guest outside the country and learn from each other.
“It was a new way of expressing Rotary by travelling the world virtually .
” Different guest speakers were online to give presentations in our Nigeria and abroad .
Two Commissioner’s made presentations in our online meetings .
” Lagos State former Commissioner for Transportation,Professor Bamidele Badejo who talked on “Transportation and National Development” and Ogun State Commissioner for Urban Planning and Physical Development ,TPL Olatunji Odunlamin who spoke on “Town Planning and you”.
” Guest Speaker from outside the Country include Rotarian Dr. Soma Jaiswa from Rotary Club of Ballygunge ,Kolkata RID 3291 Indian ,magically transform in Rotary to fight Global Pandemic”, Rotarian Benedict D.C. David RC Padre Faura-Manila RID 3810 Spoke on ” Economic and Entrepreneurial outlook in the midst of COVID 19″.
” We also had joint fellowship with president of Rotary Club of Çonstanta Yachting District 2241 ,Romania ,Rotarian Linda Turcu and some of the District Leaders were also give presentations on our online meetings ; PDG Wale Ogunbadejo spoke on “Membership Retention and New Club formation “, AG Victoria Kuteyi-Ogundemuren made Presentation on ” Africa Polio Free”, PAG John Senaya Spoke on “Rotary my pride”, PAG Abiola Adeshina made a talk on ” Rotary Talk”.
” AG Alaba Olalekan made a Presentation on ” The Impossible becomes Possible in Rotary Club thrugh Teamwork “, Rotarian Sunday Odunjo also spoke on ” Peace Building and Conflict Prevention “, Rotarian Kayode Oyelade talked on ‘Importance of water’.We also had some guests speakers that camebto our physicàl meetings to give presentations.
” They are DGE Omotunde Lawson who spoke on ” Purposeful Member Engagement for Rentition”.
” PDG Kola Sodipo Presented on “Serving Humanity through Rotary Giving”. PAG Busola Satuyi gave talk on ” Youth Service Overview”.ESV Biodun Olapade,Dr. Kehinde Kadiri,Barrister Kàyode Adaramoye,Engr. Jide Soyemi, ESV Isaac Folorunsho and Mr. Shamusideen Kadiri were all invited to talk on “Vocational Workshop Training”.
” To the glory of God and with determination an support of all members, family and friends, I was able to execute and surpass all the goals highlighted in this Rotary year.
” Their is always a reward for hard work. If one works diligently,such person should by able to gain from it in terms ofore Rotary Knowledge, recognition,higher position,quality network among Rotarians.
” Service to humanity is service to God.
” This further buttresses the point that whatever you are doing as individual, you should never give up on your dreams as there is always light at the end of the tunnel,even though at the beginning, consistency really pays at the end of the day.
” I am a very strategic person and I keep going forward to achieve listed goals and objectives, even when motivation seems to disappear.
” I remembered when I joined the club in November 2014,I was indicted by AG Alaba Olalekan. A year after I joined the club, some leaders in the club keep encouraging me to show interest in the Presidency,after seeing the way i was active in the activities of Rotary.
” But my stand then was that i didn’t join Rotary because of positions.
“I came to give back to the society from my own little angle. When the pressure was too much, I had to tell people, that i will consider contesting
when I have spent five years in the club.
” I wanted yo learn more about activities of Rotary and have more knowledge. At the exactly 5 years, I felt that I was ready to serve as president. Election was set, and the president position was contested for ,and as faith would have it,I emerged the winner through voting.
” I believe in the saying that many circumstances may attempt to delay our destiny, but it is rest assured that it will never be denied. All thanks to God Almighty.
” I want to thank each and everyone of you for giving me this opportunity.
” Thank you all and God bless you.
” It has been a very affirming experience and I am looking forward to handover the baton of leadership to president Elect,Rotarian Wale Hassan who happened to be my co-contestant in this election that produced more as President.
” As with many president before me, the wheel of Rotary has to go on,so our community, and to the world has to go on.
” 38years and counting I thank all our Past Presidents and Board Members, for their support and blessings so that we could have made this journey possible, since we have all benefitted from their past experiences and enthusiasm.
” I thank again all Rotarians who travelled far and wide to celebrate with us our 38 years when we took the opportunity to award our Rotary Club’s Ota
