From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
It was in the evening of Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the serene environment of Ten To Ten Restaurant, Alu Avenue, Nassararwa GRA, Kano, where Rotarians and men from different walks of life gathered to witness the handing over fellowship of the Rotary Club of Bompai. The President, Rotarian Wale Koiki who handled the affairs of the Club for 2021-2022 Rotary year officially handed over the baton of leadership to Rotarian Miriam Obi, elegant lady who have committed both time and resources to service to humanity through her active roles in the club since 2007.
The event which attracted members from other clubs within Kano state saw Lady Miriam reeling out wonderful programmes designed to take the Club to greater heights within the next one Rotary year.
In her acceptance speech, she thanked Rotarians for founding her worthy enough to serve them once again, having served as the second female president of the club between in 2016-2017 Rotary year.
She wholeheartedly accepted the challenge thrown to her to double the membership of the Club from 24 to 48, just as she bouyed the spirit of club members to become financially committed, throwing back the challenge of each club members raising 100 dollars every year for charity work.
Lady Miriam also promised to create avenues of raising at least 5000 dollars every year for the Rotary Foundation, just as she promised to use hard work and connections to attract the Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation for Rotary Club of Bompai which will be used to carry out a series of charitable projects, emphasizing more on war against drug abuse.
She spoke passionately about the damage and decay drug abuse, particularly, among youths is causing the society and promised that the Club under her watch shall vigorously wage war against the societal ill with the collaboration of relevant agencies and stakeholders. According to her, already, she is in touch with the authorities of Dawanau Psychiatric hospital where identified abusers of illicit drugs will be taken for counseling and rehabilitation.
The new President also plans to organize a mega fund raising party called the President’s Nite which will attract philanthropists and good spirited individuals who will be lobbied to donate generously for the work of charity and service to humanity. For her, the 2022-2023 Rotary Year will not only be eventful, but very remarkable for members and friends of Rotary Club of Bompai.
Her speech, however, was intermittently heralded with resounding applause from members who attested to her ability and capability to drive the Club to the next level, despite her tight schedules as an auditor.
Lady Miriam Obi joined Rotary Club of Bompai in 2007. She became the Club Secretary between 2011 and 2013, Club Executive Secretary/Director between 2013 to 2016, club second female president in 2016-2017 Rotary year, club Executive Secretary/Director in 2018-2019 Rotary year, club secretary in 2019-2020, club executive secretary/Director in 2020-2021, club public image chairlady in 2021-2022, and emerged the Club President in 2022-2023 Rotary year.
In his hand over speech, Mr. Koiki who described Lady Obi as courageous commended her for accepting the responsibility of leading the Club for another one year.
According to him, “in the Rotary year 2021/2022, membership grew from Eighteen (18) as of July 1, 2021, to twenty-four (24) as of June 29th, 2022. This is a tremendous achievement considering the state of the club as at take over. I want to use this opportunity to thank all members for their relentless
efforts and especially to those who succeeded in bringing in new members.
“It is my hope that this continues in the New Rotary year to enable us to meet
our targeted minimum membership strength of forty-eight (48) as at the end of
the Rotary year 2022/2023. As we all are aware, our very own Rotn Sagab Ahmed became the DGN 2021/2022 and would by the special grace of God become the DG by 2023/2024 Rotary year.
“Also, our IPP, Rotn Kashim Yakubu became the Assistant Governor in replacement of Rotn Dauda Sule Gezawa in the current Rotary year.
Rotn Kamal Salaudeen was appointed by the Board as the Chairman Grant
Application Committee to handle grant applications to Rotary Foundation after
having attended the Grant Training Seminar sponsored by the club.”
He further stated that, “the Club was very busy throughout the year by carrying out numerous projects
and Special Fellowships.
Amongst these are: two Joint Club Fellowships, coding training Seminar organised by the District and all Clubs in Kano, good behaviour: an answer to good living, which included the settlement
of fines to facilitate the release of 15 inmates from Kano remand home
and a three (3) months skills acquisition training. This was done in
partnership with YES CONCEPTS, awareness Campaign against Drug abuse among the youth and young
adults. The campaign was tagged “CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE, SAY NO TO
DRUGS.”
He mentioned others to include medical outreach and donations of various items (drugs, food items,
clothing’s, toiletries, etc) at Torrey home and Nasarawa Children home
(including a novelty football match at the children’s home), marking the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with donations of Sanitary
pads to 250 Students of the Government Girls Arabic Secondary School, a special Fellowship tagged ‘85 years in Rotary, aspecial Peace Fellowship, a special Fellowship to mark the 38th Anniversary of the Club, marking of the Girl child day and the boy child day, participation in, family of Rotary picnic organised by all clubs in kano
b- Polio walks and Immunization
c- Rotaract Reunions
d- and all other district events, sx members attended the DISCON at Abuja out of the 10 members
that fully registered.
He further stated that the club also sponsored two Rotractors for the annual RYLA Training.
It is worthy of note that all Club projects were fully funded mainly by funds
raised by the outgoing president and through special Fellowships.
Highlights of the fellowship include issuance of Presidential Certificate of Commendation to Rotarians Kamal Salaudeen, Bala Baliqis and Kashim Yakubu for their commitment, dedication and selfless service to the growth of the Club during the 2021-2022 Rotary year. Also Kashim Yakubu won the award as the best Rotarian of the year with N50, 000 cash prize, while Bala Baliqis and Hamza Ohere got second runners’up with N25, 000 cash prize each.
