Opening Ceremony Of The 2018 Edition Of Rotary International Zone 20A Institute

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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2018 EDITION OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ZONE 20A INSTITUTE, HELD AT THE EKO HOTELS AND SUITES ON THURSDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2018.

PROTOCOLS

It is a special privilege and pleasure to join you at this historic  2018 edition of Rotary International’s Zone 20A Institute which brings Rotarians from all over the continent together to network and share ideas for the advancement of Rotary International’s vision of a world in which people unite and take action to create lasting change.

The convener of this Institute, Yinka Babalola, the Chairman of the International Organising Committee, deserves our commendation. So also Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, the leadership, and all the members of Rotary in the four Districts in Nigeria, for the selfless service and sacrifice that has helped make this event a reality.

Rotary is undoubtedly one of the world’s foremost service organisations, with over a century of indelible footprints of humanitarian intervention through your 1.2 million members in about 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries.

Rotary’s network of volunteers, working locally, regionally and internationally to promote peace, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and provide education and training, remain one of the biggest and most inspiring armies of change-makers in the history of our planet. And all of this while resolutely remaining above political, cultural and social differences.

With the vacuum of credible leadership created by growing cynicism and distrust of political leadership all around the world, the place and importance of non-governmental service organizations such as Rotary are crucial. That credible leadership role is even more crucial here in Africa, where the elite,  including the political and religious, appear to have failed to deliver an adequate standard of living and create and nurture a society based on fairness, equity,  justice and respect for the rule of law.

What can Rotary do in Africa and for Africa to remedy the evident leadership inadequacies of its elite?

The first is to propagate and practice what Rotary preaches: service above self. There are two important notions that converge in that ideal. The first is that of sacrificial service to society and the common human causes so crucial to assuring a decent existence for all.

The second is the responsibility of privilege. The responsibility that the elite bear especially in developing societies to lead forthrightly, build the people physically, mentally and materially and set aspirational targets for society.

Taking on the first, is it possible for Rotarians anywhere and everywhere in Africa to actively create and forge coalitions and partnerships where integrity in the public service and private sector is promoted and practised?

Africa’s economic challenges are greatly exacerbated by official corruption and a high tolerance for financial malfeasance in the private sector. The rentier economy in which the wealthiest are the most connected and not the most hardworking or innovative is a direct contradiction to selfless service in any way.

It is my respectful view that the African Rotarian by virtue of the values of Rotary, its historical commitments to the highest standards of integrity,  and the peculiar challenges of our continent, must go beyond advocacy to positive action in support of building the ramparts of integrity at all levels of society.

Taking the second point, the responsibility of privilege: I think this is one of the important ways in which Rotary has shown leadership and the role of Rotary in important social causes.

The collaboration of Rotary International with the Federal Government for the eradication of polio is not only an enormous public health achievement but is also a triumph for the idea that service organizations and individuals can move the needle even more effectively in social causes than governments. Because of your incredible effort, we look forward to a polio-free Nigeria in a few short months. It is taking on this type of enormous responsibility, (especially when one considers that many of the Rotarian donors to this cause live far away from the dangers of the diseases that they have given so sacrificially to), that truly reflects the Rotarian ideal of service above self.

Let me as I close therefore say that for me, perhaps the most important feature of this Institute, is the call to Lead, Act and Inspire, especially because it places the responsibility squarely on each and every participant. It is a personal call as much as a collective. It underscores the point that we all have a role to play, singularly and severally.

Given the state of our world, ladies and gentlemen, going by the challenges humanity is currently facing, it is fair to say that it makes a lot of sense to argue that everyone should consider being a Rotarian.

Let me welcome you all to the great city of Lagos, our greatest pride is that everyone is welcome in Lagos, we speak every language and serve every cuisine.  And just to tease our Ghanaian brothers and sisters,  we serve the best jollof rice!

Welcome to Lagos.

It is now my very special pleasure and privilege to declare open the  Zone 20A  Institute Lagos.

Thank you.