Nigeria is a key partner in Rotary: Rassin With strong membership growth in African countries, Rotary International President Barry Rassin says he is looking forward to their greater presence in the RI Board in the coming years.
President of Rotary International, Barry Rassin, has said other continents of the global charity group are looking up to their African membership to earn permanent presence on Rotary’s International’s Board of Directors.
Rassin said this as he moved across Port Harcourt, Rivers state, in his ongoing visit to Nigeria.
He also wished for Nigeria to achieve polio eradication soonest.
“I believe strongly that Africa should take a stronger place of the the Rotary world.”
“They are growing at a good rate and I like to see them grow to a point where we can have them on the Board of Directors all the time.”
“Right now we are fortunate that we have Babalola as a Director, from here (Nigeria). He’s doing a fantastic job. If we can grow our numbers on the continent of Africa, then we can get to a point where they can be on the Board at all times.”
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On Nigeria’s role in the Rotary world, Rassin said, “It’s really nice to meet Rotarians working so hard to make the world a better place. They have some challenges in Nigeria, and they are facing them. I am proud of what they are doing.”
“Polio eradication is the number one priority here. They are taking it on with full force with whatever it is we think we can do to reach the goal of eliminating polio completely.”
They are going to make it and hopefully soon. He said his visit to Nigeria is all about thanking the Nigeria Rotary community and stakeholders partnering with them, and asking what else we can do to further the partnership for touching the lives of diverse people in the communities.
“The Rotary World, 1.2 million Rotarians in about 200 countries, are watching Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, because these are all where the last polio is. We are all proud of what Nigeria Rotarians are doing not only with polio but with all the other works they are doing”, he said.
Before departing Rivers state, Rassin, accompanied by his wife, Esther, and his Nigerian Rotary hosts, inspected products and service exhibition by 337 beneficiaries, trained by Rotary District 9141 in nine different skills and vocations, just as Rassin handed certificates to the beneficiaries.
Source: Vanguard
