In a bid to contribute its quota to Rotary International’s effort to preserve and sustain planet earth, Rotary Club of Magodo Central undertook a tree planting exercise during the official visit of Rotarian Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo, the District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, to the club on Saturday 23rd, 2017.
Earlier in this 2017/2018 Rotary year, the President of Rotary International, Ian Riseley, underscored the need for preservation and sustenance of planet earth through the symbolic planting of at least one tree by each Rotarian, between the July 1st, 2017 and April 22nd, 2018, as one of his major priorities.
DG Ogunbadejo, upon his arrival at the club’s fellowship venue, was received and led by the president of Rotary Club of Magodo Central, Rotarian Oluwaolorunlanke Olaleye and his board members including the club’s charter president, to the location where the tree planting exercise was carried out.
The Governor, who was accompanied by the District Secretary, Rotarian Segun Adewakun, and some other District leaders, was very delighted to partake in the tree planting exercise. Also present was the environmental officer for Magodo Estate, Mrs. Kemi Omotosho. The DG Ogunbadejo, Rotarian Adewakun, Mrs. Omotosho, Rotarian Olaleye and some other club and district leaders all performed in the exercise.
“Without trees, we are all dead. Flooding kills many and renders many homeless. An example is the one that happened recently in Benue state. Trees can help to reduce the effect of flooding. As a symbolic gesture, we have decided that every Rotarian will plant a tree.”
In an interview with Television Continental (TVC) crew at the location where the trees were planted, DG Ogunbadejo explains the significance of the exercise thus: “Without trees, we are all dead. Flooding kills many and renders many homeless. An example is the one that happened recently in Benue state. Trees can help to reduce the effect of flooding. As a symbolic gesture, we have decided that every Rotarian will plant a tree.”
Rotarian Olaleye also spoke to TVC crew. According to him, “Based on the ecological effect of the sun and the degradation of the environment, we are trying to make sure that oxygen is renewed, as you know that plants produce oxygen. A lot of things are happening around the world. One of them is what is currently happening in Mexico. All these are results of environmental degradation. So, we are trying to sustain the environment.”
At the club’s board meeting which took place immediately after the tree planting exercise, the DG advised the club, which is just in its second year, on the rudiments of the sustainability of members. As a new club, he advised the club members on what they need to know about mentorship adding that, “A mentor should be someone who attends club meetings regularly and punctually and also someone who leads by example in other areas.”
The Governor however commended the club on the number of members between the age brackets of 40 and below, as well as the number of female members in the club which is almost the same as the number of male members.
He also commended the zeal and enthusiasm that the club members have, despite the fact that the club is just in its second year. The DG was delighted to induct two new members who are below the age of 40 into the Rotary Club of Magodo Central.
The DG also inaugurated the Rotary Club of Magodo Central Community Corp and a new member was also inducted into the corp. As it is customary to Rotary, the new members were present with some members of their families and friends.