The District Governor, Rotarian Olufemi Adenekan’s message for December, 2025 “Disease Prevention and Treatment Month”

Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

Fellow Rotarians,

Welcome to December, the sixth month of the Rotary year. It is also a time of celebrations, including our Family of Rotary events, Christmas, and the New Year. For us in Rotary, December is dedicated to Disease Prevention and Treatment. As Rotarians, we are reminded of Rotary’s unwavering commitment to creating healthier communities and reducing the burden of preventable diseases worldwide. Rotary International District 9112 shares in this commitment. This focus aligns with one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus, emphasising our collective responsibility to address critical health challenges.

Across the globe, millions of lives are impacted by diseases that can often be prevented or treated with access to proper care, education, and resources. Rotary’s efforts—from polio eradication to providing clean water and sanitation—exemplify how we continue to make a difference in preventing disease and enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals.

In our District, every club has undertaken impactful projects on health and disease prevention. I thank you for your commitment to improving lives within your communities and beyond.

Tomorrow, 2nd December 2024, I will have the honour of presenting, on your behalf, medical equipment and consumables to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at 2 p.m. as part of our ongoing commitment to the health sector. I invite you to join us for this significant event.

However, we can still do more. Here’s how we can make a greater impact this month:

Raise Awareness
Organise community health talks, free medical check-ups, or workshops to educate people on disease prevention, proper hygiene, and healthy lifestyles.

Support Local Healthcare
Partner with local hospitals, clinics, and NGOs to improve access to essential medical services and resources, especially for underserved communities.

Promote Vaccination Campaigns
Vaccinations remain one of the most effective tools for disease prevention. Collaborate with health authorities to advocate for immunisation programmes, including the ongoing fight against polio. We must ensure polio remains at zero in Nigeria and continue eradication efforts globally.

Equip Healthcare Providers
Donate medical supplies or fund the purchase of critical equipment to strengthen healthcare systems in your communities.

Rotary’s Role in Mental Health
Recognise that disease prevention extends to mental well-being. Initiate conversations about mental health and provide support to those in need.

Last month, many Rotarians generously donated at least $10 USD to the PolioPlus Fund and other Rotary causes. I thank you for your contributions, which increase our impact and enhance our global reach. Let us continue to support our Foundation, the Rotary Foundation.

As part of our Family of Rotary Month, we will be hosting our Family of Rotary Celebrations on 7th December 2024 at the Police College Grounds, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA Ikeja. The Chairman of the Family of Rotary Committee, PP Oludayo Dave, and his team have organised a memorable event with distinguished personalities joining us for the celebrations. I look forward to seeing you there.

In January, we may have the honour of welcoming Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair, PRIP Mark Daniel Maloney. He will appreciate your generosity and personally recognise those who can donate $1,000 or more with special pins. I encourage you to seize this opportunity.

I also commend your efforts in growing membership by inducting new members and forming new clubs. To those clubs that have sponsored new ones, I say kudos! Let us all work towards achieving our collective goal of forming 25 new clubs this Rotary year.

This December, let us renew our commitment to service and work towards a future where preventable diseases are no longer barriers to fulfilling lives. Together, we can continue to create lasting change and uphold the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

Thank you for your dedication and passion in making a difference. I wish you and your loved ones a healthy and joyous holiday season. In advance, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025!

Yours in Rotary Service,

Olufemi Adenekan
Pioneer and Irresistible District Governor,
Rotary International District 9112