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Fellow Rotarians,I want to thank you for your support

for a successful month of November and looking forward to a more promising month ahead.

Once again congratula�ons to us all as our club was awarded the second best in ranking at the just concluded RYLA 2019. To all club members we appreciate your support and thank you all.

In order to keep encouraging the good-hearted Rotarians to con�nually donate to Rotary Founda�on, we as Rotarians have a role to play in ensuring that we keep dona�ng to the Founda�on no ma�er how small and in whatever form this maybe.

To this end, I wish to remind PHS members in our club of their obliga�on to the Founda�on annually.

Permit me to remind the following Rotarians of their promises to pay up what would make them become PHF in cash and some who have "promised" to do it "once again" this year! 1. PDG Niji Raji2. PP Basirat Giwa3. Rot Koiku Adeshina4. Rot Tosin Olawoyin5. Rot Bayo Erinle6. Rot PAG Lanre Kasim7. Rot Samuel Ayeni8. Rot. Adedoyin Adedeji9. Rot Folarin Akinleye10. Rot Fowoke11. Rot Ogunsola12. Rotn Dapo Banjo13. Rotn Tayo Lawal14. PAG Onafuwa15. AG Adelaja Tayo16. Rot Onagoruwa17. PDG Adewunmi18. PDG Deinde Shoga19. Rot Remi Moshood20. PP Opanubi Tayo21. Rot Adewole Farinu22. Rot Bose Ogundele

Others too who have promised to secure dona�ons from their non-Rotarians friends should equally help bring this to frui�on!

Fellow Rotarians, the need for us to equally ensure that no

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ma�er what as a member of this club you do in paying your EREY in this Rotary year cannot be over-emphasized, at least we heard it from lots of Resource Experts on Rotary Founda�on in D9110, PDG Shoga and PAG Adegbite when they gave us a talk of Rotary Founda�on during our trainings. Let me ask- Have you done your EREY today? If not, please plan to do it. May the good Lord con�nually bless the good work of our hands and replenish our pockets in triple folds, amen!

We also need to be reminded that we have two Global Grant projects to fund through our TRF contribu�on to the tune of USD5,000 each. So far, we have only raised USD2,700. Fellow Rotarians I am using this opportunity to appeal to you all to please pay up our contribu�ons fast so that we can commence with these Grant projects. I also promise to make sure that all paying Rotarians to TRF will get their draw �ckets for an opportunity to win at the draw.

Please pay to the club’s account with UBA PLC. Account number: - 1021819772. Please reference payment with your name and TRF for easy tracking and I promise that your payment will be acknowledged and proper credit to your founda�on account will be done and you will also be issued a receipt by the treasurer.

We also had our board mee�ng of the month of November on Sunday 1st December at the residence of Rotn. Bamidele Ayodele. It was a frui�ul delibera�on and details of this mee�ng will be communicated to us all at the mee�ng on Wednesday.

I welcome you to December, the month dedicated to Family of Rotary in the Rotary world, please go through the Club minder for the ac�vi�es, we have lined up in the Club for this month.

Please plan to join the series of ac�vi�es that the District has lined up to celebrate the family of Rotary. I urge, our able Chair of Club Admin to please update us on the District planned ac�vi�es so that we could update our calendars accordingly.

Fellow Rotarians, Wednesday December 4 is our AGM, and, on this day, we would elect our President Nominee 2019\2020 and Directors for 2020\2021. Please endeavour to be early so that we could get this done with very early too, I wish all the nominees for different posi�ons the very best of luck!

Lastly from me this week, please Rotarians lets pay up our annual dues as we have just 4 weeks to paying our next semi-annual dues to RI.

Till, I come your way again, next week via this medium, I ask that you should keep uni�ng to connect the world in making it a be�er place and that we should not forget that we are on a "Mission to Retain.

God Bless you all!

Yours in Rotary Service

Rotn Akinwale OdutolaPresident 2019\20

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BIRTHDAY4th December PAG Ayotunde Onafuwa

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY4th December Ro ta r i a n O l a n re wa j u C h a r l e s Olaseinde Odude4th December PP Kayode Taiwo5th December Rotarian Adeola Oke

Hello DecemberHappy New Month to us all.Congratula�ons to all of us in RC Gbagada as we were awarded the 2nd Best Club in the just concluded RYLA 2019 and as we will be launching the

very first RotaKids in District 9110.

Indeed, it is a month of celebra�ons for us.As the fes�ve season is here, lets extend the arm of fellowship to as many people as possible, be it via The Rotary Founda�on or invi�ng worthy prospects to come share Rotary.

Wishing all of us a very merry December.

Rotarian Olanrewaju O’nezerEditor.

• What is the Rotary "Interna�onal Assembly"?o An event to educate, mo�vate and inspire District Governors-elect and their spouses.• Where and when is the Rotary "Interna�onal Assembly" held?o Annually, in Middle January, currently in San Diego, California

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW ROTARY?

UPCOMING EVENTS

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1. Rotakids Launch 4th December2. Launch of the Cervical Cancer Preven�on Project 5th December3. All Nigeria Rotary Conference in Uyo. 6th – 8th December4. Family of Rotary Celebra�ons. A�can Beach Resort 13th – 15th December5. Group F We Care /Spouses’ Fun Nite 18th December

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MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF GBAGADA, DISTRICT 9110 HELD AT THE SEA SCHOOL, APAPA, LAGOS.DATE: 27th November 2019 ATTENDANCE

Members: Odutola (Presiding), Abdulazeez, Adekunle, Ayodele, Chikwendu, Erinle, Giwa Basirat, Kasim, Kupola�, Oguntade, Opanubi, Williamson Visi�ng Rotarian

1. Rotn Bayo Oguntade RC Garki Guests 1. Mr Lekan Ogunyinka2. Mr Charles Inojie3. Kemi Williams

The mee�ng commenced at exactly 2.44pm.Rotary Grace: PP Fowoke Williamson Object of Rotary: Rotn Bayo Erinle 4 Way Test: PP Adenike AbdulazeezSergeant-At-Arms: PP Adenike Abdulazeez

PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The Rotarian President, Akinwale Odutola called the mee�ng to order and welcomed everyone to the mee�ng. He reiterated that it remains a tradi�on of the Club to hold a mee�ng with the RYLArians at the Sea School.

INTRODUCTIONSThe introduc�on of all members and guests present was done by the President.

GUEST LECTURES The first guest lecture was delivered by Mr. Lekan Ogunyinka AKA Omooba Orun. His profile was read by Rotn Niyi Adekunle. The speaker talked to the RYLArians about what the essence of leadership and the needed building blocks for being a good leader. Mr. Ogunyinka also emphasized the importance of having posi�ve thoughts, character and having the right network in order to be useful to the society.

The second guest lecture was given by actor, director

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and producer, Mr. Charles Inojie. Mr. Inojie talked about the need for young people to be ambi�ous and how to channel their youthful energies into produc�ve pursuits. He emphasized the importance of educa�on and thoroughly debunked the recent saying that “Educa�on is a scam”.

He also charged the RYLArians to take their civic responsibility seriously as leaders. He encouraged them to vote and par�cipate in the electoral process.

Mr. Charles Inojie was subsequently inducted as an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Gbagada.

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS The female Rotarians of RC Gbagada made a presenta�on of sanitary pads as gi� to all the female RYLArians. The two guest speakers were also appreciated with token gi�s.

SERGEANT-AT-ARM COLLECTIONS Total SAA collec�ons for the day stood at ₦40,000 and this was handed over to the RYLA Commi�ee.

TOASTPAG Lanre Kasim gave the toast.

CLOSINGThe mee�ng ended at 4.40pm with members reci�ng the Na�onal Anthem.

‘Bamidele Ayodele Secretary

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5, December 2019RI NEWS

There is no experience quite like a�ending the Rotary Interna�onal Conven�on. Discover the true spirit of aloha and Rotary with your family, friends, and fellow Rotarians from 6 to 10 June in Honolulu. It is the perfect se�ng for the en�re family of Rotary to celebrate, collaborate, and connect.

There are two types of people who enjoy visits to Hawaii — those who have never been to the islands and are about to have unique and wonderful experiences, and those who have had those Hawaiian moments etched into their memories already and cannot wait to create some new ones.

The conven�on is the best place to find and share your aloha, which you will soon discover is much more than a gree�ng. Just as Rotary is a way of life for Rotarians, aloha is a way of life for Hawaiians — one that focuses on living in harmony, being pa�ent, trea�ng everyone with respect, and sharing joy with your family, or 'ohana.

Our host commi�ee has arranged some fabulous events for you and your family. This includes a Hawaiian Culture and Lunch Boat Cruise, a two-hour tour that will feature spectacular views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the Kahala Gold Coast. On board, you can learn to play the ukulele, take part in hula dancing, and create your own Hawaiian flower lei.You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a full range of island hospitality events, from small backyard picnics to mul�course family meals. There will be fantas�c service projects to see, including two ancient Hawaiian fishponds. And a sunrise Walk for Peace will take place at the beau�ful Ala Moana Beach Park, a 3-mile stroll in the shadow of the iconic Diamond Head crater.

Inside and outside the conven�on halls, we are going to hold the most family-friendly conven�on in Rotary history, including a family-centered opening ceremony and family-focused events in the House of Friendship. The opening session will, of course, include our tradi�onal flag ceremony.

Our 2020 conven�on will also be a �me to celebrate Rotary's historical �es to the United Na�ons. As I men�oned in my November message, June 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Na�ons charter. On the day before the start of the conven�on, Rotary and the UN will host our fi�h joint event of 2019-20, one focused on environmental sustainability.

In addi�on, we are planning the greenest conven�on in Rotary history — and I will share more details about this in the months ahead. But now, go to riconven�on.org and click the REGISTER bu�on right below the Honolulu Hawaii 2020 logo. Early registra�on discount pricing ends 15 December, so do not delay.Rotary Connects the World in no be�er way than at the Rotary Conven�on. Bring your family to meet our family. See you in Honolulu!

MARK DANIEL MALONEYPresident, 2019-2020

DOYEN’S CORNER

DOYEN’S CORNER. ROTARY CLUB OF GBAGADA LAUNCHES FIRST ROTAKIDS CLUB IN D9110.Congratula�ons to Pressy Akin Odutola, the Youth Chair, Kupola� Williams, and the Ro ta K i d s A m b a s s a d o r /A d v i s o r E r i c a Chikwendu and all members for this trailblazer.

ROTAKIDS also some�mes referred to as ROTARY KIDS, EARLYACT or FUTURACT is a club for children aged 7-12 years, an ini�a�ve created from the Rotary principles and the idea of children being aware of their responsibility to society and the world as best step to make them good ci�zen in its fullness.

The purpose is to support opportuni�es for children to organize themselves in groups, exercise leadership and receive the seed of Rotary ideals with the philosophy of "Serving Play “. S�mulate teaching values such as dignity and respect for others, as important and necessary for the forma�on of human character.

RotaKids is a fun and exci�ng way for children aged 7-12 to make friends and get involved with important ac�vi�es in the community, all while having a great �me in the process.RotaKids clubs are based in schools, youth groups or community centres and with the help and support from teachers, youth leaders and the local Rotary club, children can gain a valuable experience in helping others and learning interes�ng, new things.By doing so, children enjoy a boost to their confidence and self-esteem at a key age and develop and understanding of how their ac�ons can impact on others.Both RotaKids and Interact support to create genuine opportuni�es for young people to generate social change.

Specific Objec�ves of Rotakids>Sowing the Rotary ideals among children>S�mula�ng construc�ve leadership>Crea�ng awareness on the importance of Family.>Learn to respect the rights of everyone.>Recognize the merit of all professions> Ethics should be present at all personal achievements irrespec�ve of age.>Foster love of nature and the need for its preserva�on

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>Promote the values of ci�zenship

What do RotaKids clubs do?

The great thing about RotaKids is that children can come up with ideas and see them become a reality. The groups can do just about anything which springs to mind helping others.It shows children that by working together, there is so much you can achieve.

Examples of RotaKids ac�vi�es include:• Raising money for chari�es in your area with a sponsored bike ride, non-uniform day, or school fun days etc.• Suppor�ng the environment by se�ng a nature project in the school playground or local community• Collec�ng and distribu�ng books for children in other schools.• Carrying out Li�er picks around the school.

So, what are the benefits of running RotaKids?• They learn about Ci�zenship and teamwork.• They use prac�cal math such as coun�ng money. • Making the posters and programmes brings a purpose to their lessons in English and IT, and the produc�on of the event may use their Drama and Technology skills.• In addi�on, it is introducing the young people to Rotary ideals at an early age.• Rotakids can produce good publicity for both the school and the Rotary Club involved.

The RotaKids pledge, which was developed in Florida, is really a simplified version of the Rotary four-way test.

The RotaKids PledgeAs a RotaKid, I promiseTo be fair to allTo serve my communityTo show respect for others To have fun while serving

Let’s remember that “Together, we see a world where people unite and take ac�on to create las�ng change – across the globe, in our communi�es, and in ourselves.”

Let con�nue our winning ways so we can maintain our commitment to “Retain”

Yours in Rotary ServiceAdeniji Raji (mni)

PHOTO REEL

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BUSINESS MEETING/VISITATION TO RYLA CAMP

2ND YEAR PRESENTATION OF CHEQUES TO 200 BENEFICIARIES

ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH

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Wo w ! I t ' s D e c e m b e r already! Let me first give you my

best wishes for a wonderful h o l i d ay s e a s o n a s w e approach the Christmas and the New year 2020. I t ' s been a very busy November, with club visits, R o t a r y F o u n d a � o n promo�on ac�vi�es, RYLA, and many more. Talking about RYLA, this

year's edi�on couldn't have been be�er. The whole package has taken RYLA to another level. My congratula�ons to the new Rylarians, and my sincere apprecia�on to the Commi�ee led by our energe�c PP Abiodun Oshinibosi. So many new innova�ons were introduced this year that has put this year’s RYLA in a class of its own.

November was the Rotary Founda�on month. Were you able to make your contribu�on to the Founda�on? If you haven't, it's not too late. The minimum Rotary expects from every Rotarian is EREY - ‘Every Rotarian Every Year’. Just $100. And that earns you 20 �ckets in the Million Dollar Challenge. A chance to win that gleaming brand-new Nissan Almera Car you see at the Rotary Centre, and many other prizes in the monthly draws.

We s�ll have some Founda�on points available for those aspiring to a�ain the Paul Harris Fellow status. Your contribu�on of $500 will be matched with 500 points to get you to the 1,000-point PHF level. Demand for matching points has been high, but I can guarantee points for contribu�ons up to the end of this calendar year. On membership front, we spent a lot of energy this month to save some clubs on the verge of termina�on, for non-payment of RI dues. Some finally paid with just hours to spare. We are now drawing up a road map to nurse these clubs (about 4 of them) from 'life support' back to func�onal clubs at least.

The launching of the Cervical Cancer Preven�on Project is taking place on Thursday the 5th of December 2019. This launch, the first ever free HPV vaccina�on project anywhere in Nigeria will take place at the Estate Junior Grammar School, Ilupeju at 10am. It has been a long struggle, trying to get all the official papers from the two State Governments. As a medical project involving injec�ons, so many requirements must be met. Qualifica�ons of the personnel, source of the vaccines, verifica�on of the 'cold chain’, parental consent, set-up of emergency backup systems for any reac�ons, etc. We finally secured all the required permissions and papers last Friday, thanks to our �reless Chairperson of the Commi�ee, Past President Dr. Toun Agbe-Davies.

Come and be part of this history-making event on Thursday at 10am at the school premises. This kind of project has never been done before in Nigeria, even in Africa, except in Rwanda.

DECEMBER LETTER FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR

Rotary District 9110 is star�ng a journey, building a genera�on of women completely immune to Cervical Cancer. It is a mammoth project, that is likely to go on for years. But the journey of a thousand miles, as they say, starts with the first step. Please be there when that first step is being taken.

You can also be a part of history by contribu�ng to the project either as an individual, or as a club. To fully immunise and save a girl will cost N22,000. Many Rotarians have wri�en their names in gold by volunteering to save one, two, five, or more girls. You may never know the girls you will save, but I believe their prayers for you, will be one of the most powerful ever. I hope when we have the roll call of those that stood up to be counted when the journey started, you will be there. Please think about it.

You know what? You can also dedicate your EREY, your PHF contribu�on, etc. to the project, via the Global Grant applica�on being processed specifically for the project. You just need to indicate it to Helen at the Rotary Centre at the �me you want to make the contribu�on. The process takes a li�le longer, with a bit more paperwork, but leave that to us.

You will, literally, be 'killing' three birds with one stone! - You become a PHF, get 200 �ckets for the Million Dollar Challenge, and specify the project you want to support. It's not common to be able to choose the project your Founda�on contribu�on should be used for, unless you are a very large donor. But in this case, we can help you do it! Screening for the Honolulu Conven�on is going on now. My advice is that you take advantage of the discounted registra�on fees of $450 which ends on the 15th of December. A�er that, the full rates of $550 will apply right up �ll March. Onsite registra�on rate for the Conven�on is $650. I should add that being a paid registrant may give you a be�er chance to obtain a US visa. The District can help you make the registra�on payments if you have any difficulty with dollar transfers. Please note these dates in your diary:• 5th December: Launch of the Cervical Cancer Preven�on Project. Estate Junior Grammar School, Ilupeju.• 6th to 8th December: All Nigeria Rotary Conference in Uyo.• 13th to 15th December: Family of Rotary Celebra�ons. A�can Beach Resort, Lekki.• 15th December: Last day for discounted rate registra�on for the Honolulu Conven�on• 20th December: Rotary Centre closes for the holiday season.• 6th January 2020. Rotary Centre reopens for business. As the year draws to a close, I thank God for his mercies over us in 2019, and I wish you a very merry Christmas and all the best for a prosperous 2020. Let’s con�nue to strive to ensure that ‘Rotary Connects the World’. Jide AkeredoluDistrict Governor 2019-2020Rotary Interna�onal District 9110

Jide Akeredolu

5, December 2019ATTENDANCE

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5, December 2019

MY ROTARY STORY

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It was in November 1983; and I was almost 39 years old. I was just minding my business "a�ending to issues where I was called to the bar at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and Lagos Country Club," when PDG Yomi Adewunmi whom I had known through my wife and his’ at our Palmgrove neighborhood residences visited me.

His purpose was to invite me to join a new Rotary Club being formed in Gbagada under the guidance of the late

Otunba G.O.Adenuga-Taiwo. I accepted his invita�on and that was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I eventually became one of the 25 Charter Members of the Rotary Club of Gbagada on 27 February 1984. Under

Yomi's tutelage, I became the first Choir Master of the fledgling Club.

I was also the Sergeant-at-Arms, Director of Club, Voca�onal, Youth and Interna�onal Services.

I was an award-winning club Secretary and Editor of the Gbagada Express.

I became the 11th President of the club in 1994/1995; and with balanced club projects, I li�ed the coveted Best Club Trophy in District 9110.

Apart from my services at the club level, I served the District in many commi�ees. I was appointed as Assistant Governor to the Rotary Clubs of

Lagos, Lagos Palmgrove Estate, Ojodu and Omole Golden under PDGs Deinde Shoga, Kennedy Ejakpomewe and Kamoru Omotosho.

Some of the accolades I received were:

• Rotarian of the Year (RC Gbagada and RC Ann Arbor North D.6380-USA)

• Most suppor�ve Past President,

• Rotary Elder-District 9110.

• Honoured with a PHF by Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, D.6380 USA (2005)

• Mul�ple Paul Harris Fellow with 3 Sapphires.

• Numerous Club and District Awards and Recogni�ons.

When my family relocated to the US in 1998, I joined the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, Dist.6380, USA. During my �me there, the Club gi�ed

RC Gbagada with two water boreholes in Oworonshoki and Somolu during the Presidency of PDG Kola Sodipo and PAG Wale Adegbite.

In 2008/2009, Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North and RC Gbagada jointly established the Micro-finance project in Ososa, Ogun State since 1999. In

its 10th year of successful opera�on, the scheme has benefited more than 250 traders and businesses in that community. With USD 10,000.00 in

the fund, plans are on to expand it into a Global Grant Project worth USD 30,000.00.

My most memorable moments in Rotary were:

1. When I li�ed the Best Club Trophy in May 1995.

2. When the RC of Ann Arbor North through my auspices hosted ten members of RC Gbagada a�er the Centenary RI Conven�on in Chicago in

2005; followed by a party in my USA home.

3. When I par�cipated in actual building of a Recrea�on Center for Street Children in Santarem, in the State of PARA, Brazil deep in the Amazon

region for two weeks in 2005. One remembers with nostalgia, the sigh�ng of the mighty Amazon River, merging with the Tapajós River...one

muddy, imposing and frigh�ul while the other is clear and pris�ne but never mixing.

In my 36 years in Rotary, I have a�ended more than 20 District Conferences and Interna�onal Conven�ons in Las Vegas, Chicago, New Orleans,

Atlanta in USA, Sao Paolo, Brazil and Toronto, Canada. I have shared fellowship in several Rotary Clubs in Nigeria and Overseas; and exchanged

bannere�es with scores of Rotary Clubs worldwide.

Being a Rotarian has made me a be�er person guided by the tenets of the 4-Way Test and the Rotary Mantra of..."He profits most, who serves

best". I have derived eternal joy and deep sa�sfac�on in service to humanity and I have been rewarded with God's boun�ful blessings, mercy and

grace.

To our young Rotarians, my advice to them is to be steadfast and keep serving without coun�ng costs or returns and to all those aspiring to be

Rotarians, I beckon on you to loosen yourselves in the service of others and there lies your eternal joy and happiness.

Everything I have done in Rotary has been through the unflinching support and coopera�on of my devoted and loving wife of 45 years, IWPP Yeye

Olabisi Onafuwa. I say Kudos to her.

On this my 75th Birthday Anniversary and 36th year in Rotary, I look forward to more grace from God to con�nue to be of service to humanity.

PAG Ayotunde Onafuwa

(Daddy Ay)

December 4, 2019.

PAG AYOTUNDE ONAFUWA