The Rotary Club of Victoria Island East has launched its first Charity Golf tournament in Lagos
The launch which took place at the Ikoyi Club 1938 Golf Section with the theme Charity Golf Kitty : Swing to “Doing Good” in the world was done in partnership with the Rotary Club Falomo, Rotary Club Ikoyi, Rotary Club Ikoyi Metro, RC Admiralty, Rotary Club Lekki Golden and in conjunction with Fidelity bank as its major sponsor.
In the opening remarks , Mrs Oyebanke Olubunmi Adebayejo , the RC V. I East IM. President said the Rotary Foundation is a non profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, cultural programs and it is supported by voluntary contributions.
” Today marks a significant milestone for our Rotary Club of Victoria Island East and it’s partners. This Charity Golf Kitty event embodies our motto Service Above Self and the funds raised today will support specific charitable causes or projects. Your contributions will bring hope, education, health care, and opportunities to those to those who need it the most and together we shall demonstrate the power of collective action and community spirt.”
Mr Kelvin Ugwuoke the Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank who represented the MD/CEO, Dr Nneka Onyali-Ikpe ,while delivering her keynote speech said that at Fidelity Bank, they also believe that corporate social
responsibility is more than just a duty and it is a critical pillar in their
corporate strategy.
“That is why they we excited to be part of initiatives like today’s event, where every one of them can make a difference.” he said.
” As a bank, one of the ways we go about making positive impact is through the Fidelity Food Bank, a monthly programme
where we donate food packs to vulnerable members of the society
“Through the Fidelity Food Bank initiative, we are addressing the debilitating effects of hunger and malnutrition in the society. Since commencing this initiative in April 2023, we have distributed over 150,000 packs to women, children and the
elderly across the country .We also carry out other impactful community development projects along our four Corporate Social Responsibility pillars of Environmental beautification; Quality Education; Youth Empowerment and Health and Social Welfare.
“Similarly, the Rotary club has been making positive impact in communities across Nigeria. Worthy of mention is the
installation of new water systems it recently provided to a remote village in Nigeria”
Mr Samuel Nwakohu who is the team leader of charity gold kitty committee, the past assistant governor and the chairman of Rotary Foundation RC V. I East while speaking to reporters at the event on the essence of the golf kitty said the whole idea was based on the economic situation of the country and most clubs membership are reducing also the ability to spend money is also reducing in Nigeria
” The Rotary Foundation which which I chair is a subsidiary of Rotary international and their key function is to raise money and do good in the world so we thought we should come out invite friends, business associates, well wishers to support us in raising such money we all know what the exchange rate is today. Rotary Foundation funds is donated in dollars so you can imagine how many Naira you will have to spend to give one thousand dollars and this event is intended to be an annual one and all the proceeds will go to the Rotary Foundation
Speaking on the amount that was raised at the event Sam Nwakohu made it known that most of the funding came from sponsors and that is why the event is branded with Fidelity bank logo.
” Golf is the activity of today what we did here is the ending ceremony it’s not about the money. We have succeeded in educating a lot of people today to what the foundation stands for and what we have been doing with the funds donated to the foundation. it’s not today’s money that matters to us but what message we have been able to pass across to the Nigerians.”
Notable winners of the golf tournament are Omolaraeni Olaosebikan for the Longest Drive in the ladies category and Mr Dania Micheal for Nearest the Pin in the male category.
