Rotary Distrikt 1860 Deutschland

Main Issue 2003/2004:
World Population Growth

More than 1,500 Rotarians flocked to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, from all parts of the country and beyond to attend the RI Presidential Celebration at the Abuja Nicon Hilton Hotel on 9 August 2003. The event was planned to spotlight Rotarian activities aimed at addressing population concerns in Nigeria, which with more than 120 million people, is Africa's most populous country.

The celebration was declared open by Nigeria's Health Minister Professor Eyitayo Lambo, who represented Obasanjo at the event. In a keynote address, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Executive Director Imelda Henkin commended Rotary for projects that assist families in improving their health and living standards.

"Rotarians are renowned for their selfless dedication to community service," she said. "We hope that UNFPA and Rotary International will be able to work together to help reduce the incidence of reproductive diseases such as obstetric fistula that affect African women."

Other highlights of the event included an open discussion forum and a projects fair showcasing initiatives aimed at addressing development and population issues, HIV/AIDS, and other health concerns, as well as an awards and recognition ceremony at a gala banquet where RI President Majiyagbe presented four Paul Harris Fellow pins and specially designed plaques to conference speakers and Rotarians.

The event was also very much a celebration of the homecoming of RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe, who was traveling back to his motherland for the first time since taking office in July. From the moment he stepped off the plane at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport near Abuja on 8 August, President Majiyagbe was given the royal welcome and feted as a goodwill ambassador of Nigeria and Africa and for the historic achievement of his being the first RI president from Africa.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (Photo at right) received Majiyagbe at Aso Rock, official residence of the Nigerian presidency, on 8 August and the two addressed a joint press conference highlighting the complementary roles played by Rotary and the government in Africa's development.

"I will challenge the members of my government that Rotary is a worthwhile organization to join and support," said Obasanjo. The Nigerian president congratulated RI President Majiyagbe upon his taking office, remarking that Africans playing a leading role in the organization would ensure the expansion of Rotary on the continent

Commenting on the challenges of polio eradication in Nigeria, one of seven countries where the crippling disease is still endemic, Obasanjo said it was a national shame that children in the country were not fully protected from the poliovirus.
"We will do everything in our powers to rid our country of polio by 2004," he said, "even if it is necessary that I go out in the next 15 months to help with educating people in the affected areas about polio eradication."

RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe thanked Obasanjo for the support that Rotary has received from the Nigerian government and the Nigerian president personally. "You and your government have been extremely supportive of our efforts to help eradicate polio in Nigeria and for other initiatives we've undertaken in the country," he said.
The RI president requested the government's help in reducing red tape at Nigerian customs which greatly hampered the flow of medical supplies and other humanitarian goods from the Rotary world to communities that needed it within the country."

Development and Population issues took a major place at this Presidential Celebration. The Rotarian Initiative for Population & Development (RIFPD) had been set up within Rotary International to foster parental responsibilites and to manage parented childhood. The initiative had a famous start in Nigeria. 66 country groups support population development projects in in several countries. Even in conservative muslim regions success of RIFPD projects has been reached by working together with local leaders.

Please note: RIFPD is strictly against abortion. Much more, RIFPD fosters "parented childhood" which enables parents to apply appropriate education on every single child.

Further Informations:

Prof. Dr. Robert Zinser, Chairman, Rotarian Initiative for Population & Development (RIFPD)
Tel. +49-621-6828.82, Fax +49-621-6828.72
www.rifpd.org
e-mail: robert.zinser@t-online.de

Dr. Rudolf Hilker, Beauftragter des Deutschen Governorrates für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel. +49-30-318031.82, Fax +49-30-318031.83

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