Obasanjo, Abiodun emphasise need for Nigerians to embrace selflessness

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace the culture of selflessness as advocated by the Rotary Club to make life better for everyone.

Obasanjo, who was represented by his wife, Bola, spoke during the convention of Rotary Club, District 9111, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

While hailing various initiatives of the club targeted at uplifting humanity, Obasanjo said, “Before you go to bed every day, always take a pause and ask yourself: ‘What am I doing for others?’ What are other people benefitting from me? What am I doing, like Rotary Club, to make life more comfortable for others?”

The former President said the world would be a better place if everyone imbibes the theme of love, service, and considers helping one another to surmount life’s difficulties.

Also, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, in his keynote address, lauded the club for its various impactful projects and interventions.

Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that some of the club’s impactful interventions in the state were the Rotary Prostate Cancer Center at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, and the Rotary Eye Center at the General Hospital in Otta, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, among others.

The governor identified the need for Rotarians to renew their commitment to the club’s ideals of empowering communities and changing lives in a world where empathy is increasingly becoming scarce.

He said, “Rotary’s core ideals remain a necessary moral compass. These are not just lofty principles to frame on a wall or recite at meetings. They are practical tools for healing and rebuilding the fabric of our society, ideal and noble for our communities to flourish.”

Abiodun said that it was not just enough for the club to embark on projects but must also do so in partnership with the benefiting communities to ensure that such interventions align with the identified needs of the people.

The governor also called on the people to be more deliberate in rendering genuine service to create a beautiful world for all.