Deploy nation’s resources to help masses, Rotary club tells govts
By Abisola THOMPSON
The President, Rotary Club of Iju Spring District 9110, Lagos, Mr Abayomi Bickersteth on Saturday called on governments across levels to deploy nation’s resources to better the lot of the suffering masses.
Bickersteth, code named the change-making president, made the call at the Breakfast Fellowship of the club at Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos.
Bickersteth said that the club would bring change to the mass majority of people in the district by going into the grassroots to help them without expecting anything back from them.
“We all know the plights of all Nigerians. People need money, business and peace. About 90 per cent of people are being facing with economic incapability.
“Local government chairmen, the state governors and the Federal Government should use the resources at their disposal directly to help the masses,” he said.
According to him, his first project has been tagged “No to Blindness” to help about 600 people having challenges with sights.
The president said that the club would partner with foreign organisations to screen, provide or recommend drugs and eye glasses as well as to perform surgeries for people having sight problems.
“We are also bringing up empowerment programmes, and we are going to start from the physically-challenged who are are going to be trained in various skills and give tools,” he said.
The president, who assured the masses in the district of massive empowerments to better the lot of the masses, urged political leaders to show mercies to the numerous poor citizens.
The immediate past President of the district, Mr Rahmon Akeem, said that his leadership had brought a lot of succour to the poor masses through several interventions targeted at alleviating the suffering of the masses.
“We have served with all sense of responsibility, commitment and dedication to spring life to the mankind in our immediate communities. We are just two years old, as the second President, we have given our best to the community.
“We have engaged in so many projects which include family health, empowerments, healthcare services among others without expecting anything back from the people.
“It is a continuous process, the new rotary year should be able to bring more projects on board to better serve our immediate environment,” Akeem said.
According to him, governments should give priority to the problem of poverty which has caused so many challenges facing the nation.
He said: “Honestly, there is poverty in the land. People are suffering.
“I will like to advise the local government, state government and the Federal Government to put policies in place to address poverty and suffering.”
Akeem, who noted that about 80 per cent of the youths in the district had nothing doing, urging the governments to ensure all interventions get to the people at the grassroots rather than the politicians.alone.
He urged the current executives to surpassed the outgoing executive by using their talents, time and treasure to help the people.
The event witnessed presentation of Humanitarian Service Awards of honour to some past executive members and directors for outstanding performance.
New letters of appointment were giving to the new members of the executives of the district.
