By: Sulayman Waan
Rotary District 9101 charitable organization member clubs within West African countries discussed issues advancing the organization in the Sub- Saharan Africa held on Friday at a local hotel.
The Assembly brought together about 600 representatives of 80 Rotary clubs in ten West African countries aimed at discussing relevant issues concerning the organization, foster relations and the forward in addressing challenges affecting the masses within the Sub- Saharan Africa.
The assembly was held on the theme: Be The Inspiration. Rotary International is an international service organization which started the US city of Chicago in 1905 to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world.
Representing President Adama Barrow, Lamin B. Dibba, minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources described the forum as essential in ensuring development in the sub- region.
“The Gambia Government is aware of the support Rotary International is rendering around the world to ensure the welfare of humanity. You are improving lives through ensuring peace and conflict resolution, maternal and child health, water and sanitation, community development and the intervention in basic illiteracy,” he said.
He added: Rotarians across the world are undertaking combating poverty to improve the lives of people across the globe. Your efforts in the global eradication of polio as well as malaria are indeed noble efforts.”
According to him, his government has recognized Gambia Rotarians in collaboration with Rotary International in complementing his government’s efforts through helping the needy communities citing the Rotary’s water supply project in Central River Region, medical equipment supply to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, scholarship provided for post graduates in peace and conflict resolution among others in the country.
Hon Dibba expressed gratitude to Rotary District 9101 officials and the entire members for their tremendous efforts in combating polio and malaria as well for holding this international conference in the Gambia for the first time while appealed the Rotarians to continue the good work.
Representing District 9101’s President Harish R Bhatt, former t district governor commended the District 9101 officials for implementing the conference, saying this organization is significant in unifying people and help in bringing humanitarian aids to the door step of the needy.
He called on the Rotarians to unite and work harder to ensure they render effective and sufficient sustainable service delivery to the needy, adding the Rotarians should endeavor to inspire others by doing all what is expected from them. “Inspiration is not perceive but it requires expectation,” he pointed out.
Akidi J Allen, district governor noted that district 9101 had 80 clubs in West Africa that are expected to contribute immensely in development of the organization so as to help the needy.
He applauded the Rotarians for combating polio within the Sub- Saharan African; he further urged them to fight malaria as well in the sub- region.
“We would like to work with governments of the sub- region so as to support education too,” he affirmed.
