Nigeria has reached another significant milestone on the global stage as Olayinka Hakeem Babalola is sworn in on Wednesday, July 1, as President of Rotary International, becoming only the second African to lead one of the world's largest humanitarian service organisations.
A member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Babalola will oversee Rotary International's network of more than 45,000 clubs worldwide during his one-year tenure. According to the organisation, his administration will focus on strengthening peacebuilding efforts while advancing sustainable, community-led solutions to local and global challenges.
Babalola brings decades of experience in community development, public health and peacebuilding across Africa. He has also been actively involved with Rotary's Peace Center at Makerere University in Uganda.
Speaking ahead of his inauguration, he said Rotary empowers people to transform their communities while building meaningful relationships and appreciating different perspectives. He added that, at a time of growing division and uncertainty, the organisation has an important role in promoting understanding, advancing peace and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. As president, he said he intends to strengthen and expand that impact worldwide.
One of his key responsibilities will be leading Rotary International's continued campaign to eradicate polio. Through its partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary says global polio cases have fallen by 99.9 percent. The organisation has also contributed more than $3 billion, alongside extensive volunteer support, to protect over three billion children from the disease.
Babalola has played an active role in that mission, serving on the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee and as an adviser to the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.
Over the past century, Rotary International, through the Rotary Foundation, has provided more than $5.5 billion in grants and support for projects focused on disease prevention, peacebuilding, clean water access, education, maternal and child health, and economic development.
Babalola's inauguration comes as Rotary International continues to expand its humanitarian work across the world. His leadership will see the organisation build on all its longstanding efforts and focus during the year ahead.
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