MON 07 JUNE, 2021-theGBJournal- THE Rotary Club of Lagos in District 9110 rolled out the drums to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a gala dinner which held as a hybrid event at Oriental Hotel, Victoria, Lagos.
The highpoints of the ceremony included the launch of the Club’s Coffee Table Book, a memorabilia showcasing the rich heritage of the club, which was reviewed by Prof Doyin Salami, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council.
Past District Governor Dr. Tunji Funso who was voted as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Persons 2020 was the Guest Speaker.
He noted that as Rotarians, we cannot stop doing good in the world and affirmed that though Nigeria has kicked the wild polio virus out, we all have to be eternally vigilant to keep polio at zero.
In his remarks, District Governor Bola Oyebade noted that the Rotary Club of Lagos is the oldest club in the District with 26 charter members in 1961.
He praised members of the Club for their steadfastness and commitment to the ideals of Rotary.
Dare Adeyeri, the 60th President of the Club, expressed immense joy for the opportunity to serve humanity. He said the club executed over 40 projects at over N50m since July last year.
Awards were also given to eminent Nigerians in different categories such as the Ambassadors awards for members of the club that chartered other Rotary Clubs.
In the Distinguished awards category, Past President Kunle Ogunbayo and PAG Hairat Balogun were the recipients.
Chief Phillip Asiodu, Elder Felix Ohiwerei, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Otunba M.O. Balogun, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande and Mrs NdidiNwuneli were given Honorary awards for their services to humanity.
As the second Rotary Club to be charted in Nigeria on May 30, 1961 after the Rotary Club of Kano, the high profile gala attracted dignitaries which included Dr BisiOnasanya, Founder/Chairman of The Address Homes and former Group Managing Director/CEO, First Bank Nigeria Limited and his wife, Helen; Ladi Balogun, Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc and Chief Phillip Asiodu, diplomat and former Petroleum Minister.
There were also other distinguished Rotary leaders in attendance. They included Past District Governors Adeniji Raji, Dr Kamoru Omotosho, Dr Deinde Shoga, Richard Giwa-Osagie and his spouse, Toyin and Kola Sodipo and spouse, Adenike.
The Incoming District Governor, Remi Bello, FCA and the District Governor Nominee, Omotunde Lawson, also graced the occasion.
Bill Egnatoff was a virtual participant and joined from Canada. Egnatoff, who was with his spouse Joan during the ceremony, is a retired Professor of Computer Science at Kingston University in Ontario, Canada. He witnessed the charter ceremony of the Rotary Club of Lagos in 1961. His father, late J.G. Egnatoff, chartered the club.
Also online were Peter Urselmann, President of the Rotary Club of Oberhaussen Antony-Huette in Germany.The German Club is the initiator of the WATER FOR LIFE project at Coke Town in Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun State which will cost over US$80,000.
The project is a collaboration of three partners consisting of the Rotary Club of Oberhaussen Antony-Huette, Rotary Club of Lagos and Adesuwa Foundation based in Germany which was founded by Jennifer Westholt.
Members of the Rotary Club of Lagos and Rotarians from other clubs including Rotaractors, friends and guests of Rotary were also attended the gala dinner.
We must first agree on the nature of oil itself-it is not infinite. The earlier we begin to plan and understand the fact that it is finite and the earlier we begin to plan the better for us (Nigeria) as a country.
There is the need at this time to maximise the output and to make hay while the sun shines otherwise other wise we will caught pants down, That is why today we have today the most fashionable two words in that industry is Renewable Energy, because that is infinite.
And that brings me to the role of the legislature. I am not an expert on the industry but what I do know is that for you to succeed, the legislature plays a very important role providing the framework for its growth.
As of today, the framework is the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) The Bill is been almost 20 years now on the table and we never got it right and we are determined at the National Assembly to get it right this time around. I remember sometime ago saying that we should have it out of the House by the end of April. Now, we have gone beyond that. But I believe and we believe in the National Assembly that no matter the pressure, anything worth doing is worth doing well.
It is better to tarry on the side of caution and get it right. Something that has been long coming, and we have not been able to get it right for 20 years. So if we want to get it right we must not sacrifice at the alter of time.
I believe that there are diverse and competing interests. Many of them have approached me as a Speaker, various interest and I believe those interests must be put together side by side. Nobody is trying to drive anybody out of business that is not our job.
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