Nigerian takes office as president of Rotary International

…second African to lead the global membership organization will focus on peacebuilding and lasting 

A Nigerian, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, will on Wednesday take office as the President of Rotary International and the second African to lead the global membership organisation.

A statement by Rotary International said that during his one-year term, Babalola, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi in Nigeria, will focus on strengthening Rotary’s contribution to peacebuilding and supporting sustainable, community-led solutions that address local and global challenges and improve lives.

Babalola said, “Rotary gives people the opportunity not only to make a difference in their communities, but also to grow through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of different perspectives. 

 “At a time when many societies face division and uncertainty, I believe Rotary has an important role to play in building understanding, advancing peace, and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. 

“As president, I look forward to highlighting and strengthening that impact around the world.”

ALSO READ: INEC identifies 385 flashpoints, 200 difficult areas ahead of Osun governorship election

Babalola brings to the role decades of experience advancing community development, peacebuilding, and public health initiatives across Africa. He has been actively involved with Rotary’s Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda—the organisation’s first on the continent. 

As head of Rotary’s 45,000 clubs worldwide, Babalola will lead Rotary’s top priority of ending polio. Together with its Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent and contributed more than US$3 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect over 3 billion children from this paralysing disease. 

He has also been deeply engaged in Rotary’s polio eradication efforts, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and advising the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee. 

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. More than US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation—Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service – to support these initiatives over the last 100 years.