President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between the federal government and Rotary International in healthcare, education, youth empowerment and community development.
Mr Tinubu made the call on Sunday night in Abuja at the Presidential Inaugural Ball held in honour of the president of Rotary International, Olayinka Babalola, who assumed office on July 1 as the second African to lead the 121-year-old organisation.
Mr Tinubu, represented by SGF George Akume, described the humanitarian organisation as a critical partner in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda. He also described Babalola’s emergence as a historic achievement for Nigeria and the Africa.
“Babalola’s emergence as the second African to lead Rotary International is a proud moment for Nigeria and for our continent. This is not merely a personal distinction. It is a national statement that shows that Nigeria continues to produce men and women of competence and character, whose leadership commands global respect,” he said.
Mr Tinubu said that Rotary’s values of service, integrity, fellowship, diversity and leadership aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritised healthcare, education, youth development, job creation and improved service delivery.
The president commended Rotary’s contribution to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Nigeria and Africa, describing the organisation’s role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative as one of the greatest examples of international cooperation in public health.
“Government alone cannot do the work of national transformation. I, therefore, use this occasion to invite Rotary in Nigeria, and the global Rotary family under President Babalola’s leadership, to deepen partnership with the Federal Government in key human development sectors,” he said.
Mr Tinubu said that collaboration in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, basic education, literacy and youth skills development would produce measurable and lasting benefits for Nigerians.