DISTRICT 9112 FLAGS OFF $52,000 HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE, SCREENS OVER 350 PUPILS, COMMISSIONS MATERNAL AND NEONATAL LEGACY PROJECT AS PART OF AMBITIOUS PLAN TO REACH 50,000 PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN ACROSS LAGOS
By Elitist Media
A DAY OF SERVICE, HOPE AND LASTING IMPACT
The Rotary Club of Ikoyi has once again reaffirmed Rotary International’s enduring commitment to Service Above Self by successfully executing two landmark humanitarian projects under Rotary Global Grant 2458686, bringing renewed hope to hundreds of children, mothers and families across Lagos State. Held on Monday, July 6, 2026, the twin interventions featured a comprehensive Vision and Hearing Screening Programme for public primary school pupils at Obalende Primary School, Ikoyi, followed by the commissioning of a Child and Maternal Health Legacy Project at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. With a total investment exceeding $52,000, funded through The Rotary Foundation Global Grant, the District Designated Fund (DDF) and several strategic partners, the projects embody Rotary International’s vision of Unite for Good to Create Lasting Impact by advancing quality healthcare, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and basic education.
OVER 350 CHILDREN RECEIVE LIFE-CHANGING HEALTH SCREENING
The day’s activities began at Obalende Primary School, where more than 350 pupils from ten public primary schools within the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) underwent comprehensive vision and hearing screening. The participating schools included Army Children Primary School, Dodan Barracks Primary School, Jinadu Primary School, Ikoyi Girls Modern Academy, Ikoyi Primary School, Ireti Girls Primary School, Ireti Primary School, Hope Primary School, Obalende Primary School and St. Georges Primary School.
The screening exercise marks the first phase of Rotary International District 9112’s ambitious target of screening 50,000 public primary school pupils across Lagos State. Beyond early detection of hearing and visual impairments, the initiative provides sustainable interventions including hearing aids, prescription eyeglasses, medications and corrective surgeries where necessary, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive regardless of health challenges.
ROTARY LEADERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND PARTNERS UNITE FOR HUMANITY
The event attracted an impressive gathering of government officials, education stakeholders, healthcare professionals, development partners, members of the media and Rotary leaders.
Among the dignitaries present were the Supervisor for Education, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Mrs. Funlolade Dayo; the Head of the Education Department, Mr. Adewumi Kayode Adewusi; Mr. Awosola Ojetola; and Mr. Saheed Sasore.
Rotary was represented by the District Governor of Rotary International District 9112, Rotarian Layi Abidoye; the President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Christopher Ehiogie; the Assistant Governor and Primary Contact for the Global Grant Project, Rotarian Basirat Giwa; the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Christopher Amakulo; Assistant Governors Austin Irabor and Nkeiruka Akarutu-Balogun; Rotarian Winifred Ebiye, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Bourdillon, who gracefully anchored and coordinated the proceedings of both humanitarian events as Master of Ceremonies; Past Assistant Governor John Senaya; Past President Wasiu Bello; the Club Service Projects Chair, Rotarian Omolara Oyerinde; the Chairman, Service Projects Committee and Past President, Rotarian Boheje Egbe-Okpenge; the Club Secretary, Rotarian Sabor Garuba; Dr. Jombo Douglas; as well as the President of the Rotary Club of Gbagada, Rotarian Adeyemi Lawal, Rotarian John Eso, Rotarian Olutayo Ranto-Ola, and numerous Rotarians whose presence reflected Rotary’s spirit of fellowship and collective service.
“WE ARE PROVIDING LASTING SOLUTIONS” — ROTARY CLUB OF IKOYI PRESIDENT
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Christopher Ehiogie, described the programme as the club’s first flagship humanitarian project of the 2026–2027 Rotary Year, themed “Unite for Good to Create Lasting Impact.”
He emphasized that the project extends beyond screening, noting that Rotary is committed to providing hearing aids, prescription eyeglasses, medications and corrective surgeries for children requiring additional medical care.
“We are not just screening children; we are restoring hope. Every child deserves the opportunity to see clearly, hear properly and learn without limitation. Rotary is committed to providing lasting solutions, and we will return for another phase during the next academic calendar.”
DISTRICT 9112 SETS SIGHTS ON 50,000 CHILDREN
The Assistant Governor and Primary Contact for the Global Grant Project, Rotarian Basirat Giwa, explained that the project was designed to identify hearing and vision challenges early enough to prevent avoidable learning difficulties.
She disclosed that District 9112 plans to screen 50,000 public primary school pupils across Lagos State while ensuring that affected children receive hearing aids, eyeglasses, medications and specialist referrals where necessary.
District Governor Rotarian Layi Abidoye reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to ensuring that no child diagnosed during the programme is left without the required intervention, including surgeries for special cases. He noted that the Global Grant, supported by the District Designated Fund (DDF), demonstrates Rotary’s determination to transform lives through sustainable humanitarian service.
Representing the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Mrs. Funlolade Dayo commended the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and District 9112 for bringing the intervention to the council and expressed optimism for greater collaboration in future educational and healthcare programmes.
ROTARY COMMISSIONS MATERNAL AND NEONATAL LEGACY PROJECT
Following the successful screening exercise, the Rotary delegation proceeded to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital for the second phase of the day’s activities—the commissioning of the Rotary International District 9112 Legacy Project, featuring the donation of Child and Maternal Health Neonatal Resuscitation and Maternal Training Equipment, as well as specialized clinical training for healthcare professionals.
The delegation was warmly received by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Taiwo Adeiyi, and the Consultant Paediatrician and Head of the Neonatal Unit, Dr. A. Odedina, who praised the Rotary Club of Ikoyi for its unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery.
Dr. Adeiyi described Rotary as a dependable development partner, expressing appreciation for the club’s decision to complement the equipment donation with practical training for healthcare workers.
“We do not take Rotary’s generosity for granted. This intervention is not just about donating equipment; it is about building capacity. The training that accompanies these facilities will ensure better healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns, and we look forward to even stronger collaboration in the future.”
JNCI BRINGS WORLD-CLASS CLINICAL TRAINING TO LAGOS ISLAND MATERNITY HOSPITAL
A major highlight of the ceremony was the introduction of Mrs. Oluwatobi Odubela, Training Manager at JNCI, one of Nigeria’s leading distributors of healthcare simulation mannequins. JNCI, led by Rotarian Pharmacist Clare Omatseye, Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, is a key technical partner in the project.
In an emotional moment, Mrs. Odubela disclosed that she was born at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, describing the occasion as a return to her first home.
She announced that JNCI would provide intensive hands-on clinical training covering neonatal resuscitation, maternal care, labour management, breastfeeding support and breast care, ensuring healthcare professionals are fully equipped to maximize the use of the donated equipment.
ROTARY AND HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMIT TO A SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIP
Rotarian Christopher Ehiogie explained that Lagos Island Maternity Hospital was carefully selected because of its critical role in maternal and child healthcare.
He stressed that Rotary’s humanitarian service transcends race, tribe, religion and social status, adding that everyone who benefits from the project will experience Rotary’s compassion and commitment to saving lives.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and the management of Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, reaffirming both institutions’ commitment to the effective implementation and sustainability of the project.
“THIS EQUIPMENT WILL SAVE COUNTLESS LIVES”
Responding on behalf of the hospital, Dr. Adeyinka expressed profound appreciation to Rotary International.
According to him, only about 43 percent of women currently deliver their babies in hospitals, while many still give birth outside healthcare facilities.
He described Lagos Island Maternity Hospital as “the last hope for many vulnerable mothers and newborns,” noting that the newly donated facilities and accompanying clinical training would significantly improve maternal and neonatal healthcare while reducing preventable deaths.
TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES
In his closing remarks, District Governor Rotarian Layi Abidoye summed up the spirit of the day’s interventions with a powerful message:
“Together, we save lives and build a healthier community.”
The ceremony concluded with the official presentation of the medical equipment to the hospital management, a practical demonstration by the JNCI technical team on the use of the neonatal resuscitation and maternal training mannequins, the signing of commemorative documents, group photographs and the rendition of the Nigerian National Anthem.
Supported by The Rotary Foundation, the District Designated Fund (DDF), LASUBEB, Decibel, Unique Eye Centre, GSS Global Sight Solutions (United Kingdom), Vintage Hearing Foundation (VHF), Laider Consulting, and JNCI, the twin Global Grant projects stand as shining examples of Rotary’s ability to unite people of goodwill in restoring hope and transforming lives.
From helping children see and hear more clearly to equipping healthcare professionals with life-saving maternal and neonatal care tools, the Rotary Club of Ikoyi has once again demonstrated that Service Above Self is not merely Rotary’s motto—it is a lifelong commitment to building healthier communities, empowering future generations and creating lasting impact. This remarkable initiative further reinforces Rotary International District 9112’s vision of making meaningful and sustainable differences, one community at a time.
