30/06/2025
*_Onyechimel’eze’s_ Sunday Musing LI: AU REVOIR – IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!*
My dear Lakers, and fellow Rotarians,
What a year it’s been!
I joined Rotary in July 2021, during the Change-Maker year. At the time, I was facing some personal challenges and Rotary somewhat offered a welcome distraction. Gradually, I got drawn in, and three years later, I found myself as Club President. What began as an unserious rendezvous became one of the most intense and rewarding years of my life. In all, I rate this experience very highly – for the lessons learned, and more importantly, all the lives touched.
I sacrificed the past year to Rotary and its causes, and I am so glad I did. We stayed up late to do projects, to touch lives, and to find joy in service.
Under *Maternal & Child Health,* we executed the *100 Safe Arrivals* Project, supporting 100 expectant women in our adopted community, Kuchigoro. In keeping with a personal commitment, we also replicated same project in my hometown, Unubi, reaching another 60 expectant mothers.
Keeping to Rotary’s *membership* mantra, we inducted *48 quality members* this Rotary year. It is important we mention ‘quality’ here, having seen how some Rotary leaders ship in all sorts of names into their books, just in a bid to win awards. Rotary leaders should indeed rise and do what is right, whether people are watching or not.
Our *Basic Education & Literacy* project was huge and impactful! We deployed an ICT studio to a school where computer science had never been taught, bringing hope and digital access to the under-served. We also *awarded scholarships* and adopted 20 indigent students. We are hopeful their lives have been changed by this act and will continue to monitor their progress.
Under *Economic & Community Development,* we tested the waters in September 2024 with our maiden *Business Expo,* and went all out in February with the Edition 2.0. Rotarian-owned businesses deserve to be showcased and celebrated, and we are proud of this effort to elevate their visibility and community impact.
We set a modest goal of US$10,000 in giving to *The Rotary Foundation,* and thanks to generous members, we doubled that, contributing over *US$20,000!* In doing this, we raised several new Paul Harris Fellows, emerged the highest contributing club to the PolioFund, and proved that when people care, giving flows. Indeed, I must salute our members who never got tired of giving. I thank you all for your selflessness.
Knowing the importance of health, we were intentional with our *Disease Prevention & Treatment* projects. We took hepatitis vaccinations to our communities, supported Kuje General Hospital and indigent patients, marked World Diabetes Day, World AIDS Day, carried out breast cancer screening for women and gave out thousands of mosquito nets during our World Malaria Day outreach. In all of these, we were never short of sponsors, for which we are very grateful.
Three youths were given grants of *one million naira each* to support their businesses, under our *Vocational Service* project. We are excited to see the growth the grants have brought to their businesses so far. We marked *World Food Day* by feeding over 500 vulnerable men, women and children and celebrated *International Womens’ Day* by hosting 50 widows, to celebrate the resilience of widows. These, in addition to a novelty football match, rounded up our *Peace-Building & Conflict-Resolution* month.
We made a huge impact with our *empowering the girl-child* project, as we distributed more than *500packs of reusable sanitary pads* to young girls in Kuchigoro and environs. We followed it up with training them on how to produce them, and gifted sewing machines to 5 lucky trainees. Seeing the impact, and following up with my personal commitment, we replicated the same project in Unubi. These projects highlighted our *Water, Sanitation and Hygiene* month.
Our *Environment* month project included tree-planting, which we did by the side of our Business Expo event, and then supported Care & Cuddles school’s campaign. Considering the scourge of single-use plastics, this is a project we should all take seriously.
We sponsored *15 youths to RYLA,* as part of our *Youth Service* efforts. In addition, we birthed a club with lots of prospects, the Rotaract Club of Nile University, and fostered stronger ties with Rotaractors. And for *Fellowship* month, we hosted the Fellowship of Tea Lovers, hosted Rotaractors in the district, and encouraged members to share fellowships in several clubs.
We are excited that people noticed and applauded our efforts during the year, and are proud of all the *awards we won* during the District Convention in Jos, and even the recognitions and appreciations from sister clubs during the year. Indeed, we are grateful.
In writing this last of the series, I must honour the people who walked this path with me. They saw my sincere intentions, aligned with our visions, cheered my every step, and were cautious in their criticisms. Of course, we were not without our critics, too. They gave us steam, because they sharpened our resolve and made us strive harder.
Managing people is tough. Managing volunteers is tougher. The intrigues of leadership in Rotary were far more intense than I had imagined. Was I perfect? Nah, never have been. As a laid-back micro-manager, some people may not have enjoyed my style, for which I offer my apologies. However, I was focused on achieving targets, touching lives, creating joy, even while fighting my own battles, too.
Those who know me would attest that my nonchalance, truancy and poor time-keeping are legendary. But I made a firm decision to improve. Throughout my tenure, not once did our meetings start later than 5:30pm prompt, as I was convinced it was the right thing to do. My late father, _Isiudo_ Prof Godwin Ogum, a stickler for discipline, would be very proud of that achievement. Yes, I did it!
My late mother, _Omenyi_ Christie Ogum, would have equally been as proud. While in school, Mummy encouraged me to run for Students Union President. She believed I could lead. She was my biggest fan and cheerleader. Mummy would celebrate my little successes and make me strive to do more. She was a super performer herself. I watched her gracefully blend with governors’ wives, and still keep appointments with her artisan friends. She will make us join her to farm, produce and sell garri, then she will zoom off to the best cities all over Nigeria for her Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN conferences, taking me along sometimes. Omenyi! I miss you so much. What a woman you were!
Time and time again, I reached out to my members to do more, and they did. I asked my friends to support, and they did not turn back. My two lovely kids, *Agunnai and Adaugo* know all about Rotary now, and what it stands for. It meant everything seeing them cheer me on.
My dear Rotarians, this is the last of a series. I am exhausted! These musings would be compiled into a small book, and made available for the reading public.
*Rotary Unscripted: A President’s Year in 52 Musings* – A Collection of Candid Reflections, Lessons Learned, and Moments of Inspiration gathered week by week over the course of my year as President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, District 9127.
The funds generated from the sales will be applied towards a project of impact within the 2025/26 Rotary Year, in support of my *incoming President Caroline,* whose unwavering support I deeply appreciate. I implore you all to support her, too.
Indeed, it is time to say goodbye, and I thank you all for being with me on this journey.
Rotary is good!
*Amobi OGUM, MD*
_Onyechimel’eze_
Magic President, 2024–25 RY
RC Abuja Jabi Lakeside
29 June 2025
