Rotary Foundation’s $30M investment transforms Nigerian communities through impactful health and family initiatives
[dropcap]R[/dropcap]otary International, through its charity arm, The Rotary Foundation, has reaffirmed its commitment to impactful community projects in Nigeria.
Also read: Rotary trustee Chair Mark Maloney visits Nigeria
Mark Maloney, The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair and Past Rotary International President, emphasised this during a media parley in Lagos as part of his working visit to the country.
Maloney highlighted that over $30 million has been invested in projects addressing Rotary’s Areas of Focus, including health, family support, and disease prevention.
He underscored the importance of the Programme of Scale scheme, which allocated $2 million to the “Together for Families in Nigeria” initiative.
Additionally, the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge has strengthened local health systems by empowering communities with sustainable solutions.
Polio Eradication and Long-Standing Support
Maloney noted that Rotary has contributed over $300 million to Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, significantly reducing the spread of the disease and lowering child mortality rates.
He commended the partnership between Rotary and the Nigerian government, which has fostered effective collaboration with health ministries.
Encouragement for Local Engagement
During a town hall meeting with Rotarians and Rotaractors from six Rotary International Districts, Maloney expressed gratitude for their dedication to Rotary’s mission.
He urged local clubs to expand their partnerships to enhance project impact, stressing the importance of leveraging available grants.
Rotary Foundation Trustee Ijeoma Pearl Okoro and Past Rotary International Vice President Yinka Babalola encouraged Rotarians to prioritise contributions despite economic challenges.
They emphasised the value of utilising grants to maximise the scale of their community interventions.
Celebrating Achievements and Partnerships
As part of his visit, Maloney and his wife, Gay, participated in a tree-planting ceremony to commemorate their time in Lagos.
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They also visited the Indo Eye Care Foundation Clinic, where Maloney praised the clinic’s achievements, supported by Rotary, the Indian community in Nigeria, and other donors.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
