Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State, joined the Ikeja-Alausa Central Rotary Club on Sunday.
The highlight of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central's fourth anniversary event was the induction ceremony, which was overseen by Rotarian (Otunba) Bola Onabadejo, Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9110, with other Rotary officials present.
Rotarian Duke had been invited by the President of the club, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde, who delivered a speech centred on Rotary’s Four-Way test.
He counselled that the ideals of Rotary should be adopted by institutional bodies and individuals as a way of life.
Emphasising that the society would have been a better place, particularly for the less privileged if these principles of selflessness had been embraced, the new Rotarian said: ‘The real wretchedness is not the people around you, but you yourself’.
He explained life in three phases of 25 years each.
The first 25, Duke explained, is the period to learn to live and acquire skills. The second season is when to learn and practice how to earn, while the third phase, which takes every individual beyond 75 years, is the time to give.
Duke said that giving is not only in terms of resources, but can also be in sacrificing one’s time and talents, which is in line with Rotary “Service Above Self” mantra.
He gladly accepted his membership of the Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central as an active, rather than a honourary member, becoming the first of five new members inducted at the ceremony.
PDG Onabadejo, who was the Father of the Day, said he had always admired Duke for his transformative and impactful projects as Governor and his principles of others above self.
He said that Nigeria needed more of its citizens to live like Duke, who related freely with guests and had no airs.
The induction ceremony was conducted by the District Governor Nominee Designate of District 9111, Rotarian Sam Ayetutu.
He was assisted by the Assistant Governor for Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central, Rotarian Ibraheem Adebayo; Past Assistant Governor, Rotarian Kayode Owolabi (the pioneer AG of the club); and Executive Secretary of District 9111, AG Valentine Shomoye (also a former AG of the club), among other top Rotarians and distinguished personalities.
Other inducted members were Rotarian Temitope Faborode, Rotarian Niyi Amosu, Rotarian Ayodele Omirin and Rotarian Precious Muotoh.