Highlights from DG Speaks 12th Edition

The 12th and final edition of DG Speaks for the Magic Of Rotary year took place on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025.

Rotarian Olufemi Adenekan, the pioneer District Governor of Rotary International District 9112, delivered an insightful session. His welcome address expressed gratitude to attendees for their continued support throughout the series.

He emphasized the importance of the occasion as his final public appearance, reflecting on the invaluable moments they shared together. He expressed gratitude for their willingness to spend over an hour discussing the happenings in District 9112 and the world at large.

The District Governor acknowledged the devotion, the thoughtful discussions, and the acts of generosity exchanged among one another. He extended his appreciation to all for their service to the community and to Rotary, before proceeding to share updates on the district’s affairs.

Regarding Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo, his resignation was confirmed due to personal health issues and family matters, which he communicated to current RI President Stephanie Urchick.

On membership, the district grew from 2,144 members on July 1, 2024, to over 2,530 members across 80 clubs by June 10, 2025. Rotarian Olufemi thanked Rotarians for introducing new members and encouraged continued efforts to strengthen the membership base.

New Club Formation

We have successfully formed 8 new clubs, adding over 200 members to our database. I sincerely thank all Rotarians for introducing new members, and we appreciate your hard work in growing our district. Recognitions for those who introduce new Rotarians will be sent on June 30th to acknowledge your efforts. Congratulations to the Charter presidents of the new clubs and their sponsor clubs! While we have formed 8 clubs, we aim for double digits to ensure a vibrant future for our district. Thank you to all club presidents, new membership chairs, and advisors for your dedication.

Rotary Foundation  

Despite economic challenges, we have contributed $234K to the Rotary Foundation. Thank you to everyone who has donated; every contribution counts. Let’s continue to support the Foundation, regardless of the amount. It’s important for all clubs, both new and old, to participate in donations, even small ones like $10. Your support helps make a difference.

Rotary International Dues

I want to address Rotary International dues. Currently, two clubs are at risk of termination, and we are working hard with their leadership to avoid this. The payment window is open until the end of June. Additionally, I have concerns regarding the Rotary Club of Badore, which has wrongfully terminated members who were not in debt, assuming they couldn’t pay future dues. This contradicts the spirit of Rotary, and I will be requesting the official termination of the club if necessary.  

District Dues

We have a few clubs that are still owing district dues, and the payment window remains open. We encourage them to fulfill their obligations.  

District Conference

This year’s conference was exceptional, with over 1,300 Rotarians registered, representing over 50% of our district. Thank you to all Rotarians who participated and contributed to our success.

Club Projects  

I want to extend my gratitude to all clubs for their impactful projects that have kept hope alive. Thank you to all irresistible presidents for their dedication in reaching the grassroots, supporting the underprivileged, and improving our community. I also appreciate those clubs that have effectively utilized their district grants. I urge all clubs benefiting from this year’s grant to complete their projects by the end of the Rotary year and submit their reports.

Club Visit

Out of our 80 clubs, I’ve visited 74, some multiple times in the sense that I attended project commissioining and other functions. Thank you for your dedication to service and for following coaching principles to enhance our clubs. We will continue to foster the Rotary spirit. The district will remain open throughout the final month of this year, though leadership will not be available from next week for action, but the District Governor-Elect, Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin will be here to stand in for the district.

Rotary International Convention, Calgary  

The convention will take place from June 21st to 25th. Congratulations to all Rotarians who secured visas, flights, and accommodations. We’re also looking forward to commissioning our vocational training center on Friday, June 27th.

Vocational Training Center, Epe

The Vocational Training Center project began on March 13th and will be commissioned on Friday, June 27, 2025, with an estimated value of 325 million naira. We are committed to completing it on time, thanks to our benefactors. As of next week, roofing and painting will commence.

This center marks the first significant project by Rotary International District 9112 and is set to be one of the largest undertakings by Rotary in Lagos State. We trust that it will be accomplished by the end of the month.

Directory

We have published the district directory, but many clubs have yet to collect their copies. We urge club presidents to ensure their members pick them up before they go to archives at the end of the Rotary year.

Support for the District

Thank you to all Rotarians and clubs for your support over the past 11 months. Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Gbagada South for providing air conditioning units for the secretariat. Our office is now equipped to meet international standards, and I’m grateful to all who contributed.

We still have needs, including a solar panel system and a flagpole to replace the one from District 9110. We look forward to clubs stepping up for these donations. I appreciate the dedication of our staff, Rasheed, Uduak, Oge, Biodun, Ubong, Bola, which has been vital for our success. Thank you all for your hard work and support.

Rotarians in Diaspora

We have introduced a new initiative to connect Rotarians in the diaspora under groups led by Assistant Governors (AGs). We currently have AGs overseeing Rotarians in Europe, the UK, Canada, and the USA. Their hard work has brought us together, and we’ll be showcasing diaspora Rotarians at the Calgary Convention on Monday, June 23rd, at the Nigerian House, Calgary. Invitations will be sent to registered Rotarians.

This is the first-ever gathering by District 9112, where we’ll host Rotary leaders and distinguished guests, providing an invaluable opportunity for connection and learning. We encourage diaspora Rotarians attending Calgary to sign up for this remarkable event, costing just $155, which is a great value for a full day of engagement starting at 4 p.m.

We also appreciate the support from Global Radio for showcasing our activities and projects over the past year. Thank you to Fred and the Global Radio team for their continuous support.

We look forward to a successful Rotary International Convention and encourage all Rotarians to participate actively. Together, let’s continue our impactful service and membership efforts. Thank you!

The District Governor (DG) Speaks 12.0 session was anchored by the Public Image Chairman, AG Ehi Braimah, and co-anchored by Rotarian Temi Ayorinde.

Watch video here

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKuHbnUKXU8/?igsh=d2ZrdTZhYXE0cHFs

Oge Nwabueze