Fe l l o w Rotarians,

The September 8th installa�on has now come and gone. I

t h a n k t h e g o o d L o r d fo r t h e opportunity, we had yesterday and of course, I sincerely thank all of you my Rotarians and club elders for the utmost support that I got from all.

Such is the spirit that binds us together in Gbagada. I will stop at this for now as I would s�ll have to come back to it very shortly.

From, the preliminary figures from our Chairman Installa�on commi�ee, the total number of A�endees registered stood at 242 comprising 60 members, 27 Rotarians from other clubs, 18 members of inner wheel club, 10 Rotaractors, 123 guests and 4 members of the press.

A comprehensive report of the commi�ee is being compiled and will be presented to the club in due course.

11 September 2019

I do know that this has not turned to credit for us un�l when all the pledges get turned to cash, which I would personally pursue in the next few days.

We would equally pursue payments for adverts in the next couple of days so that in no distant a �me, we can be able to have the final figures about how we have done.

Just before I roundup, I wish to remind us all of the visit to the SOS Village, Isolo on Wednesday 18th mee�ng �me shall be 10.30am.

Once again, I thank you all for your support, par�cularly, the installa�on co m m i �e e m e m b e rs a n d t h e i r advisers!

Good day and God Bless.

YIRS

Akinwale Odutola

11 September 2019

SPOUSE’S BIRTHDAY8th September Rotn. Adedotun Soluade9th September Rotn. Bolaji Agoro

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY11th September Rotn. Oladipo Taiwo

Onboarding

Congratula�ons to our United President!Congratula�ons to RC Gbagada!!It was indeed a colorful and fun-filled inves�ture ceremony.On behalf of the installa�on

commi�ee, our profound gra�tude goes to each and everyone that contributed to the success of the event.

Now, being a mega club is not an easy feat which is why the club is commi�ed to membership development. It gives me great pleasure to see new and young Rotarians like myself taking up roles in the club. Kudos to us all! The sky is only a star�ng point.On that note, please I implore everyone to contribute our 4Ts (Time, Talent, Treasure and Thoughts) as o�en as possible to the development of our dear club. Do not wait to be called upon and if any func�on is commi�ed to you, please put in your very best.

My Rotary Story this week is from the new genera�on! He has proven that it is not about how long but how well, please read through and you will agree that passion and commitment will yield fulfillment. The lessons of life at the Doyen’s corner is also a must read as we learn that nobody has it all, therefore let’s appreciate and maximize the li�le we think we have.The One Million Dollar Challenge is s�ll on and there are s�ll lots of gi�s to be won as you donate to the founda�on. Do have a beau�ful and splendid week.

Rotarian. Olanrewaju O’nezerEditor.

1. Visit to SOS Children’s Village 18th September 20192. Star Program 21st September 20193. Spouses’ Nite/We Care Group C Fun Nite 25th September 2019

• What is the mission of the Rotary Founda�on?

o Advance world understanding and peace through

improvements in health, educa�on and the

allevia�on of poverty

• What is the Rotary Founda�on's mo�o?

o Doing good in the world

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW ROTARY?

UPCOMING EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER

11 September 2019

11 September 2019

He r e i n t h e United States, a n o t h e r

summer i s w ind ing d o w n . A n d fo r t h e Maloney family, every summer ends with a return to my hometown of Ridgway, Illinois, for the annual Popcorn Day

fes�val, where I am honored to serve as the “Popcorn King,” the master of ceremonies for the day’s events.

Regardless of the season, every family has its own tradi�ons. I would like to suggest a new one for yours: Find an opportunity to introduce your family to Rotary. One of my family’s tradi�ons is to take our daughters and grandsons to the Rotary Interna�onal Conven�on. The 2020 conven�on in Honolulu will be a wonderful way to introduce your children and grandchildren to the interna�onality of Rotary. We are planning many family-oriented events for everyone to enjoy.

Any �me is a fabulous �me to bring family members on a Rotary service project or to a fundraising event. But perhaps you have not seen many family-friendly events at your club. That is precisely why one of my top priori�es this year is to make most Rotary events welcoming to family members.

We must foster a culture where Rotary does not compete with family but complements it.

We should never expect our members to choose between the two. That means being

RI MESSAGE 11 September 2019

realis�c in our expecta�ons, considerate in our scheduling, and welcoming of children at Rotary events on every level.

O�en, the young professionals that Rotary needs to a�ract in order to remain a dynamic 21st-century service organiza�on are the very people who have the greatest fami ly responsibili�es.

We must not keep these prospec�ve young members away from their families by holding events on evenings and weekends at which their children are not welcome.

For too long, we have closed the doors of many Rotary events to children and some�mes even spouses. What wasted opportuni�es these are! Every chance we have to pass on the gi� of Rotary to young people is one we must take if we are going to grow Rotary and ensure that the next genera�on is fully engaged in our mission.

So, let us open our doors and do it in a fun way, with opportuni�es that make our children and grandchildren want to learn more about Interact, Rotaract, and Rotary membership. Start small if you must — perhaps by holding some of your mee�ngs at more family-friendly �mes — but think about how you can con�nue these kinds of events for years to come.

Bringing children to Rotary events is not just fun; it also exposes them to the world! Make this a memorable year for your family — and an unforge�able year for the ever-expanding family of Rotary as Rotary Connects the World.

MARK DANIEL MALONEYPresident 2019-20

MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF GBAGADA, DISTRICT 9110 HELD AT GOLFVIEW HOTEL IKEJA GRA, LAGOS.DATE: 4th September 2019 ATTENDANCE

Members: Odutola, Abdulazeez, Abidoye, Adedeji, Adegbite, Adekunle, Adewunmi, Agoro, Akinleye, Ayeni Adeleke, Ayeni Samuel, Ayodele, Collingwoode-Williams, Dikko, Eleshin, Erinle, Farinu, Giwa, Ipaye, Iran�ola, Kasim, Koiku, Kupola�, Lawal Adeyemi, Lawal Babatunde, Lawal Tayo, Nsirimobi, Odude-Olasinde, Ogunbanwo, Ogunsola, Oladele, Olawoyin, Onafuwa, Orohundusi, Osunrinde, Raji, Shoga, Sodipo, Soluade, Taiwo Ladi, Williams, Williamson Guests1. Abosede Shodipe 2. Yusuf T. Nurudeen The mee�ng commenced at exactly 7.05pm.Rotary Grace: Rotn. Fowoke Williamson Object Of Rotary: Rotn. Lanre Odude-Olasinde 4 Way Test: Rotn. Sam AyeniSergeant-At-Arms: Rotn. Lanre Odude-Olasinde

PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The Rotarian President, Rotarian Akinwale Odutola welcomed everyone to the mee�ng. He informed members that there would be training sessions during the mee�ng. The President also appreciated the Club Trainer, PAG Layi Abidoye for his consistent efforts at upda�ng members’ Rotary knowledge.

TRAININGThe Club Trainer announced that there would be 2 training sessions to be handled by IPDG Kola Sodipo and PDG Shoga. He canvassed for ac�ve engagement of all members. He also enquired about the length of �me available for training during the STAR program. He however suggested a preliminary training for the new members before the STAR program. I) ENGAGING ROTARIANSIPDG Kola Sodipo anchored the first training session �tled “Engaging Rotarians”. He emphasised the importance of engaging members in Club ac�vi�es in order to maintain their interest in Rotary. He therea�er allocated specific tasks to new Rotarians. • Yemi Lawal: District Conference (Gbagada Night) • Doyin Adedeji: District Conference (Registra�on) • Priscilla Dikko: DEWEF…. To coordinate the sourcing of poten�al candidates for DEWEF scholarship. • Adesina Koiku: Endowment Fund• Lanre Odude-Olasinde: Rotary Dinner Dance…. To galvanize members and guests to a�end the event. • Sam Ayeni: Membership (New Club Development) … To work on efforts to charter a new Rotary Club this Rotary year. • Williams Kupola�: RYLA • Yomi Oladele: History & Archives • Tosin Olawoyin: To coordinate the uploading of all completed projects onto the Rotary Centre • Bolaji Agoro: Youth Exchange • Niyi Adekunle: One Million Dollar Challenge• Fowoke Williamson:We Care• Funmi Ipaye: A�endance • Seyi Osunrinde: To monitor members with consistent poor a�endance ( 20%)ii) MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT The second training session was anchored by PDG Deinde Shoga. He talked about the benefits of membership development and the different ways of achieving an engaging membership.

11 September 2019

Ques�ons and comments were raised by members. STAR PROGRAMME The President reminded members that the next STAR programme will be coming up on Saturday 21st September 2019 and it will be hosted by PAG Muyiwa Matuluko. He suggested a three-hour training period for the STAR programme. Concerning the training of the newly inducted Rotarians, he suggested a weekend a�er the Presiden�al inves�ture. INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLY INDUCTED MEMBERS The newly inducted Rotarians were introduced and given a warm welcome.

SOS VISIT The Rotarian President informed the club that our tradi�onal visit to the SOS village will come up on 18th September 2019. PRESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION The President-Elect, Rotn Isola Ogunsola briefed the club on the plans and expecta�ons for the Installa�on. He specially appreciated PAG Lanre Kasim for facilita�ng the venue of the weekly Commi�ee mee�ngs at the Lagos State Civil Service Club. He also thanked all members for the support and dona�ons. Rotn Ogunsola informed the club about the would-be recipients of awards on the day. The awardees are:• Engr Ebenezer Oshokoya• Mr Femi Awogbami• Arch. Obehi Iyamabo• Mr Kola OlawunmiPrince Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka would be the Guest of honour. He also men�oned the plan to raise funds through an American auc�on to be handled by AG Tayo Adelaja and PP Adenike Abdulazeez. The club was also informed that Rotn Priscilla Dikko offered a generous discount for the cocktail at the event.

PORTACABIN GLOBAL GRANT PROJECT The President gave an update on the Portacabin project. He said that AG Tayo Lawal was able to get the Lagos State government involved in the project. The government would be involved in the construc�on of concrete pla�orms for the project as well as provision of bore hole. The host communi�es had been tasked on providing security personnel and erec�ng a fence around the portacabins. The President said that the date of commissioning would be announced later.

OTHER ROTARY INFORMATION• Council of Past Presidents Mee�ng coming up on 14th September 2019 and will be hosted by the Doyen, PDG Niji Raji • Membership Sa�sfac�on Survey: Forms to be distributed to members during the next mee�ng. All Rotarians were enjoined to par�cipate in the survey. BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES The birthday and wedding anniversary celebrants for the week were acknowledged. Rotn Funmi Ipaye and AG Tayo Lawal were presented with special wedding anniversary cards.

ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2019 PP Fowoke Williamson was recognized as the Rotarian of the month of August 2019 and was presented with a gi�. SERGEANT-AT-ARM COLLECTIONS Total SAA collec�ons for the day stood at ₦60,000 TOASTRotn Alozie Nsirimobi gave the toast. CLOSINGThe mee�ng ended at 9:10pm with members reci�ng the Na�onal Anthem.

Bamidele Ayodele Secretary

BUSINESS MEETING

PHOTO REEL11 September 2019

INVESTITURE CEREMONY OF ROTN. AKINWALE ODUTOLAAS THE 36TH PRESIDENT 2019-2020

PHOTO REEL

11 September 2019

DOYEN’S CORNER 11 September 2019

LESSONS OF LIFE

An ancient insight says: If you want to be happy, count your blessings, not your burdens. Measure your life by what you have, not by what you don’t. Yet in our modern world

where we’re con�nually exposed to endless increments of more and be�er – others with more money, be�er TVs, and bigger houses — this is very difficult.

For some people, the pleasure of having something good is drained as soon as they see someone else with something be�er. Our sense of contentment is created or destroyed by comparisons. A life consumed with unfulfilled wants is an afflic�on.

The an�dote is the concept of “enough.” This starts by thinking more clearly about the difference between our needs and our wants, between sufficiency and abundance. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with wan�ng more and striving to fill our lives with things and experiences that give us pleasure, so long as we don’t believe we need whatever we want. When we think we need what we only want, we make our desires precondi�ons to happiness, thereby diminishing our ability to appreciate and enjoy what we do have.

It’s easy to think that happiness is achieved by ge�ng what we want when it’s really a ma�er of wan�ng what we get. In the end, enough is enough, be contented.1. REMIND YOURSELF THAT NOBODY HAS IT ALLComparing your life with others is always a losing proposi�on. There will always appear to be people who have it be�er than you. But remember, we always compare the worst of what we know about ourselves to the best assump�ons we make about others.

Be reminded, nobody has it all. Each person you meet experiences problems, trials, and weaknesses, just like you. This is what makes us human. Nobody is exempt. Nobody has it all. Nobody!

Bear in mind "In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there, and the

key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.2. BE GENEROUSEven if you must force yourself into it at first, make generosity an essen�al habit in your life. Give your �me. Give your finances. Give your abili�es, talents, and skills. volunteer in your community. Support a cause that promotes social jus�ce. And get your hands dirty doing good.

As you begin to spend more �me and more energy with those who have less than you, the more you will find fulfillment and meaning. And when you do, the allure of another’s person life will quickly fade away.

However, have you heard of this saying? “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid,” ~ Albert Einstein.Rather than beat myself up and feel like a failure, I have learned that it’s more important to stay true to who I am and do what works for me while relentlessly growing toward my vision — without making self-defea�ng comparisons with others.

For the greatest contentment, don't wait for things to happen. Make it happen by vision, efforts and commitment. Look at every opportunity as a door for fortune and strive to u�lize every available moment to make it worth a success story.

Let us learn the lessons of life so we can build a strong and ethical team at the Rotary Club of Gbagada.We must never forget that If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.

Our “Mission to Retain” must remain in the front burner as we con�nue to tread relentlessly our winning ways.

Pulling Together returns next week

Yours In Rotary ServiceAdeniji Raji (mni)Governor 1997-98

oday workspace has become increasingly challenging because of the changing Tvariables of our work environment. No doubt, there is need for everyone to prac�ce a good work-life balance to achieve wellness and produc�vity in the midst

of the changing variables.

Work–life balance is a term which describes the balance that a working individual needs between �me allocated for work and other aspects of life due to personal interests, family and social ac�vi�es. I therefore recommend these prospec�ve 4 possible areas of growth to be considered this week:

1. Your Intelligent Quo�ent (IQ): The cogni�ve abili�es possess by each person, that when ac�vely developed help in studies, memoriza�on to recall any subject ma�ers when needed in life.

2. Your Emo�onal Quo�ent (EQ): Empowers anyone to maintain peace with themselves and others. It can shape anyone to keep �me; accept responsibili�es; respect boundaries; be genuine and considerate with oneself and others

3. Your Social Quo�ent (SQ): Fuels anyone to build rela�onships, nurture and maintain such, for mutual benefits of a life�me.

4. Your Adversity Quo�ent (AQ): Helps anyone go through rough patches of life without losing their balance. The AQ determines who give up hope in the face of troubles to abandon friends, families or become filled with suicidal thoughts.

Everyone must seek to achieve balance in the 4 highlighted areas and strengthen your life calls: family, spiritual, academic, career and business. Our formal schools tend to program people to develop the IQ level at the expense of others, but you must change this narra�ve by crea�ng your own growth path in possible areas of deficiencies and school yourself to achieve your needed balance.

Lovely week ahead.Shalom

11 September 2019BALANCED LIFE

MY ROTARY STORY

MY ROTARY STORY

M y n a m e i s K U P O L AT I OLUWATOYIN WILLIAMS I joined Rotary online about 6 years ago. But became a member of ROTARY CLUB

GBAGADA about 2 years ago.What really prompted to join Rotary? I had challenges with my health when I was in the university and the worst part of it is that there was no money to take care of my hospital bills, so most �me I had to bear the pains, hoping for God’s healing.

Then, I made up my mind that if God help me out of my situa�on, that I will support children (who is going through problem or hard �me of pains just like I was when I was growing up) with the li�le God has provided for me, that was my promise to God then. Because waking up almost every day in pain and life became hell.

A�er Gradua�on and God answered my prayer, then I started working hard so that I could fulfill my purpose and the promise I have made during my hard �me. To cut it short, I searched online to find out which associa�on is doing humanitarian service properly that I can join to contribute my own part to the society, and then I found ROTARY.

Ever since then I have been contribu�ng online to maternal and child birth, a�er four years I received a mail from Rotary Interna�onal that I should join a club around me. The greatest benefit of me being a Rotarian is fulfillment and happiness of been part of a community of people that contribute to people’s life posi�vely. When I joined Rotary Club of Gbagada in 2018, I was inducted during the DG’s visit to

11 September 2019

Rotary Club of Gbagada, who is currently the IPDG. I was the first Rotarian to be inducted during (IPP) Dr. Basirat Giwa tenure. Then I became number 70 of the RC Gbagada. The same year I became (PHF) Paul Harris fellow. I am currently the Youth Service Chairman (YSC). I am also part of the 2019 RYLA district commi�ee.

I had some challenges with my clients in 2018, whereby I had to fly to Dubai to get them jobs, meanwhile ge�ng the job would cost me 500k for all five of them but I didn’t have such money at hand, but I went with faith.

I was newly inducted then, so I put on my Rotary pin, at the point of entry in Dubai I met an Arabian who was checking me in, when he saw my Rotary pin, he greeted me with fellowship, and I answered, and we became friends. To cut the story short he later got all my five boys the job and not only that, plus good accommoda�on and they all have their Dubai residency visa today without paying a dime.

My advice to new Rotarians is simple “what is worth doing is worth doing well” dedica�ng your �me and resources to improve another person’s life is one of the most amazing things you can ever experience, and it also gives you a sense of fulfillment. I have never seen a giver in the state of scarcity.

Rotary is sweet and enjoyable provided you make out �me to a�end some of the Rotary func�ons. Rotary is good; joining a humanitarian service group will only enhance your life. Never give up in crea�ng happy moments for people around you.

Thank you.ROTARIAN. KUPOLATI OLUWATOYIN WILLIAMSYOUTH SERVICE CHAIR 2019/2020

ROT. KUPOLATI OLUWATOYIN WILLIAMS

ATTENDANCE 11 September 2019