Looking Back at a Year in Rotary: Media, Service, and Progress

As the 2025/26 Rotary year wraps up today, 30 June, I take a moment to reflect. It is not just about the programs and projects but also about what it means to serve in an organization that has been changing lives for over a century, one community at a time.

My journey with Rotary started at the end of 2018. It was a decision I consider one of the best I have ever made. Rotary International began in Chicago in 1905 by lawyer Paul Harris and three friends. Today, it is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world, with over 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs across 200 countries. The core belief of Rotary is service above self, and for those of us who have lived it, it is a way of life.

In the year ending today, I held two roles in Rotary International District 9127: District Media Relations Chair and deputy Editor-in-Chief of the District Governor’s Newsletter. District 9127 includes the Federal Capital Territory and parts of north-central Nigeria. This district has a strong civic presence and continues to grow within the Rotary community.

The year truly belonged to the outgoing District Governor, Dame (Dr) Princess Joy Nki Okoro. She is a woman of great grace, organizational talent, and real commitment to service. Working with her was an honor. My goal was clear: ensure that every program, project, and activity in the district received strong, respectful, and timely media coverage. In Nigeria's busy media landscape, achieving this takes careful planning and determination.

The year started with a formal handover ceremony on 1 July 2025. Dame Joy Okoro received the mantle from Rotarian Mike Nwanoshiri. This moment signified both continuity and a new path for the district. Her installation at Chida Hotel also in July set the right tone: purposeful, well-attended, and visible in the media as every important event should be.

A big part of our media efforts was seen in the District Governor’s Newsletter. Under Rotarian Winifred Ogbebor’s leadership, our team created a publication that members looked forward to each month. Instead of feeling like just another report, each edition was a full magazine. It was well-designed, thoroughly reported, and showcased the wide range of activities in District 9127. The newsletter became the district’s record for the year: a collection of service, fellowship, and achievements that no single event could capture. Serving as deputy editor-in-chief under Rotarian Ogbebor reminded me that good journalism, even in volunteer settings, requires the same dedication and quality as any serious publication.

The highlight of the year, in terms of size and complexity, was World Polio Day. Rotary's fight against polio is one of its oldest commitments. Since 1988, it has been a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has contributed over $2.1 billion to the cause. This effort has helped reduce wild poliovirus cases by more than 99.9 percent worldwide. District 9127 celebrated this day not with just one event but with a whole week of activities. All six District Governors in Nigeria came together in Abuja for this coordinated effort. Each Governor led a team to one of the six area councils of the FCT, bringing the polio message to the grassroots. Coordinating media coverage across all six councils at the same time, including TV coverage, was one of the most challenging but rewarding tasks of the year.

Besides the events, the district also issued press statements on important national issues. When former President Muhammadu Buhari passed away, the District, like many civic bodies, felt the weight of the moment and spoke out appropriately.

Now, on this day, 30 June, we complete another cycle. The 2025/26 year ends, and Rotarian Sikiru Owonikoko takes over as the third District Governor of Rotary International District 9127. He inherits a District that has shone this past year and a media setup that is ready to keep it in the spotlight.

Rotary continues its journey. I am thankful to have played a part in pushing the wheel forward.