Prominent traditional rulers, including the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup (Ajimoko III), and the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal (Abisogun III), have commended Rotary International for more than a century of humanitarian service, urging stronger partnerships to expand its impact across communities.
The monarchs spoke during the installation of entrepreneur Mrs. Bukola Olabisi Bakare as the Governor of Rotary International District 9111 at a ceremony held over the weekend.
Oba Haastrup described Rotarians’ commitment to community service as a remarkable sacrifice, noting that members invest their personal resources to improve lives without expecting rewards. To support the organisation’s humanitarian activities, he announced a donation of ₦25 million.
Similarly, Oba Lawal praised Rotary’s century-long tradition of selfless service, stressing that its members have consistently used their personal resources to support humanitarian causes.
The Oniru called on the private sector to strengthen collaboration with Rotary, saying the organisation deserves greater support to sustain its interventions. He also urged fellow traditional rulers to partner with Rotary in driving community development.
According to the monarch, sustainable development can only be achieved through collective efforts involving government, traditional institutions, private organisations and civil society.
He noted that modern traditional rulers now play broader roles beyond preserving culture, adding that they contribute to governance and facilitate developmental projects through strategic partnerships.
“The future of every society depends on its people. Let us build bridges instead of barriers,” Oba Lawal said while expressing confidence that Mrs. Bakare would deliver on her vision during her one-year tenure. He also made a personal donation to Rotary.
Delivering the keynote address, former Managing Director of First Bank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, highlighted the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), but cautioned that technological advancement must not come at the expense of moral values and integrity.
He said while AI will continue to reshape society, virtues such as honesty, accountability and character—principles reflected in Rotary’s Four-Way Test—remain irreplaceable.
“Artificial intelligence may shape this century, but character will determine what this century becomes because technology is never value-free,” he said.
Adeduntan urged institutions to embrace innovation while maintaining ethical standards, stressing that society’s future depends on the integrity of those who develop, regulate and use emerging technologies.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bakare appealed to Nigerians and the private sector to support her administration’s over ₦1 billionhumanitarian budget aimed at delivering life-changing projects.
She disclosed that her flagship initiative is the construction of a 60-bed Wellness Centre valued at ₦800 million at the Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos, describing the project as part of efforts to create lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
Outgoing District 9111 Governor, Prince Henry Akinyele, highlighted achievements recorded during his tenure, including the establishment of 12 new Rotary clubs, membership growth, community outreach programmes, contributions exceeding 336,000 dollars to The Rotary Foundation, and the donation of a building to the Peace Institute at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
He also noted that District 9111 became the first district to host Rotary International President Yinka Babalola.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun, representatives of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the Olofin of Ilisan-Remo, Oba Mojeed Olufemi Sonuga, former District Governor Prince Juli Adelusi-Adeluyi, Rotary Foundation Trustee Ijeoma Okoro, District Governor-elect Dr. Samuel Adetutu, District Governor-nominee Ade Oyenekan, and Rotary District 9112 Governor Layi Abidoye.
