District Governor, Rotarian Olufemi Adenekan’s Message – June 2025: Fellowship Month “It’s Time to Say Goodbye and Thank You!”

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

As we welcome the month of June — Rotary’s Fellowship Month — I invite you to pause and reflect on the power of the friendships, connections, and bonds we’ve nurtured through Rotary. This final month of the Rotary year is not just a time for closure, but a celebration — a celebration of the enduring fellowship that binds our Rotary family together across clubs, districts, and borders.

Together, we have heralded the birth of District 9112 and laid a strong foundation. These enduring legacies are the true hallmark of our service to humanity.

Rotary is more than projects and programs; it is people united in purpose, bound by shared values of service, integrity, and understanding. Fellowship is the heart of our organization — it transforms service into joy, meetings into memories, and colleagues into lifelong friends. Whether in a club meeting, a service project, a Rotary Fellowship, or an international convention, fellowship reminds us why we belong.

Last month, we experienced the true essence of Rotary fellowship and inspiration during our Pioneer District Conference, held from May 22 to 25, 2025. What a resounding success it was! I express my deepest gratitude to every Rotarian, family member, guest, and volunteer who made this event a milestone in our Rotary journey.

We were especially honoured to welcome the Rotary International President’s Representative, Past RI Director Alberto Cecchini, who brought greetings and warm wishes on behalf of Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick. His words reminded us of the global impact of our local service and reaffirmed the strength of Rotary’s leadership and our shared vision for a better world.

Beyond the conference, Alberto gifted us with 11 full days of his time and presence. He visited several completed and ongoing District 9112 and club projects — including the Vocational Training Centre in Epe, Lagos — and commissioned projects of the Rotary Club of Gbagada, alongside engagements with the Rotaract Clubs of Gbagada and Surulere South. He also enjoyed fellowship with the Rotary Club of Lagos (the oldest in our District), Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, and our newest club, the Rotary Club of Eko Cosmopolitan, among others in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja.

In an extraordinary gesture of Rotary advocacy, Alberto met with four traditional rulers — the Omola of Odomola in Epe, the Akarigbo of Remoland in Sagamu, the Alake of Egbaland, and the Oba of Oke Ona Egba — taking our message of service and peace to the very heart of our communities. Thank you, Alberto — we are truly honoured.

Back to the conference — from inspiring keynote addresses and engaging breakout sessions to the joyful entertainment and genuine fellowship, it fully embodied the spirit of Rotary. It was a time of learning, laughter, and renewal — a reminder that while each of us serves in our own way, we are always part of something greater.

As we close this Rotary year, let us carry forward the connections we’ve built, the partnerships we’ve strengthened, and the friendships we’ve deepened. Let’s look ahead with hope and commitment, knowing that our collective fellowship will continue to inspire change and bring peace.

But before we draw the curtain on this Rotary year, let us fulfill our promise: to build and complete the Rotary District 9112 Vocational Training Centre in Epe, Lagos. I count on you to create the Magic of Rotary by delivering this impactful humanitarian service project.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication, your compassion, and your friendship. Let us celebrate the Rotary spirit that unites us — and prepares us for even greater service ahead.

As I hand over the leadership of our great District to the District Governor for the 2025–2026 Rotary year, Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin, I do so with great confidence. I know he has all it takes to lead District 9112 to even greater heights. Kindly extend to him your wholehearted support, as you have done for me.

With gratitude and Rotary cheer,
Let us continue to create the Magic of Rotary — in our clubs, in our communities, and within ourselves.

Olufemi Adenekan
Pioneer and District Governor 2024–2025
Rotary International District 9112