Prior to her decoration as new president, the outgoing President, IPP Kalilu Jaiteh in his handing over statement dilated on some achievements the club registered under his tenure, which he described as ‘difficult period.’
“We took the mantle of Rotary Club of Banjul on 1st July, 2020 when the country for the first time was experiencing lockdown.” IPP Jaiteh disclosed.
He explained that at that time, all educational institutions were closed, hotels and restaurants and all forms of public gathering were either closed or minimised to a certain level.
“No club meetings were held, even civil servants were scheduled to go to office based on their need to the state. While the whole government machinery, public and private enterprises resorted to online and abstain from going to offices.”
“So the Rotary Club of Banjul then faced a big challenge to continue its club meetings, therefore, resorted to holding meetings virtually.”
He revealed that Rotary International also gave a substantial sum of money to help fight Covid-19.
The Banjul Rotary Club also contributed to fighting the pandemic by provision and distribution of facemasks, hand sanitizers and other cleaning materials, printing of posters, food items and so on to needy people.
“Other achievements under my tenure are that Rotary Club of Banjul teamed up with Rotary Club of Belgium to access global grant for the benefit of some schools which included Sawallow School, Manjai Kunda, Bakoteh Annex, Albreda School, Nuimi and NjabaKunda School, North Bank Region.”
The total sum of the global grant, he said, was around D3 to 4 million based on which they have to contribute 5%.”
IPP Jaiteh, however, reminded colleagues on the importance of peace and conflict resolution, peace building, which he added, are all among the seven most important priorities of Rotary Club.
In her acceptance speech, Rotarian President Isatou Bah thanked all members for supporting her to take the mantle of leadership of the Rotary Club of Banjul for the period 2021/2022.
She thus sought support from all members to lead the club as she put it “I believe that with your support and encouragement sky will be the limit for the Rotary Club of Banjul in my tenure 2021/2022 and beyond.”
“I am honored looking at you all gracing my decoration and believe that there is no limit within Rotary, a club I Joined in 2018 while today, I become president in 2021. Notwithstanding, the elders of Rotary gave the room and encouragement and as well “kept on giving me the task to improve,” she said and added that serving humanity is part of her hobbies which has even increased her passion for Rotary.”
Rotarians PDG Aki Allen, Lucky Treasurer, (Rtn) Moshood M.K. Abolade, among other members, commended the outgoing president, while congratulating the newly decorated Rotarian President Isatou Bah on her new position.
