The
new-elected District Governor 2016 to 2017 of Rotary International Club,
Aristide Tino Adediran, a Senegalese national, has concluded his weeklong visit
to The Gambia.
The
District Governor arrived in The Gambia last Monday and wrapped up his visit on
Friday with a seminar held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
The
seminar, held for the District Governor to deliver a statement on behalf of the
President of the International Rotary Club based in America, John Germ, was
attended by members of the Rotary of Club of Fajara, Rotary Club of Banjul,
Rotary Club of Brusubi and the Rotaract.
The
District Governor was also in The Gambia to visit some of the major
intervention projects sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fajara and other related
interventions by various Rotarians in The Gambia.
In
delivering a speech at the seminar, the District Governor, Aristide Tino
Adediran, spoke extensively about the importance attached to the formation of
rotary clubs and the ethics, values and principles that qualify one to become a
Rotarian.
He
also spoke on the need for expansion of their membership as Rotarians and to
ensure the sustainability of their clubs in various countries.
He
dilated on the professionalism, honesty, fairness, goodwill and benefits to
all, while speaking on intervention of Rotarians in areas especially water,
hygiene, sanitation, borehole, polio immunisation among other development
activities.
The
District Governor expressed appreciation and satisfaction about the
intervention of the Rotary Club of Fajara and the Rotary Club of Banjul in
ploughing back to their communities.
He
was very impressed for what he had seen in The Gambia and encouraged Rotarians
to continue the momentum of support, as they should always think of what they
could do for humanity.
He
advised the newly-chartered Rotary Club of Brusubi to learn from the Rotary
Club of Fajara and the Rotary Club of Banjul, “who have vast experience”.
Mr
Adediran told the President of the Rotary Club of Brusubi that his performance
would be monitored and assessed by the Rotary Club International.
He
said the Rotary Club International has the mandate to revoke their certificate
if they failed to perform. He therefore urged them to show more love for
humanity and devotion to their club in the interest of all.
Also
speaking at the seminar, Abdoulie Cham, president of the Rotary Club of Fajara,
said he was glad about and highly appreciated the visit of the District
Governor to The Gambia.
He
said he was delighted to have such a prominent figure visiting The Gambia.
“We
have learned and achieved a lot from him during his weeklong stay in the
country,” Mr Cham said. “It was very intensive in terms of collaboration and
teamwork among all rotary clubs in The Gambia.”
Mr
Cham described the tour as very successful in the sense that the district
governor chose The Gambia as the first country of his visit.
He
buttressed the importance of Rotarians becoming role models anywhere they are.
Adam
Wadda, president of the Rotary Club of Fajara, also expressed appreciation and
excitement about the visit of the District Governor to The Gambia.
She
said the visit had been an exciting one and “a source of motivation and
encouragement”.
During
the District Governor’s weeklong tour, he was taken to many areas of their
intervention projects to see for himself what the Rotary Club of Fajara was
able to do in their community, she said.
Ms
Wadda advised her fellow Rotarians to show high sense of commitment,
professionalism and ethical standard as Rotarians.
She
also expressed delight for the fact that a Gambian, Aki Allen, is the District
Governor Nominee in 2018-2019, which is a pride to the entire Gambia Rotarian
community.
For
his part, the president of the newly-Chartered Rotary Club of Brusubi, Moses
MCN Kalala Saparo Tint Vincent also commended the District Governor for
awarding them a certificate as a full-fledged rotary club recognised
internationally.
He
said this was a “big trust and challenge” but they would endeavour to live up
to expectations.
Minyang
Jobe, a member of the Rotary Club of Fajara, spoke about the need for teamwork
and collaboration as well as for honesty, fairness and goodwill.
