A former Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, said on Saturday that Nigeria lacked selfless and charitable leaders dedicated to meeting the needs of the least provoked in society.
Mr. Shettima made the remarks in his chairmanship address at the inauguration ceremony of The Nation newspaper’s Northern Operation Managing Editor, Yusuf Alli, as the eleventh president of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, in Abuja.
He praised Rotary International for their selfless service to humanity and said they have become the conscience of society.
Mr. Shettima said: “There is a reason why both religious groups and corporate organizations revolve around the principle of giving back to society.
“It is not only to compensate for the negative externalities accumulated in the pursuit of our capitalist and selfish interests, but to fill the void that surrounds us.
“When you look around this country to trace the origin of our national dilemma, the most glaring deficiency is always a dearth of selfless and charitable leaders, whether in politics or business, socio-cultural groups or local communities.
“As a time-tested group, Rotarians have discovered the danger of downplaying the conditions of those in need, especially those in our immediate environment.
“Your Club, which operates from the nation’s capital and a district recognized as home to some of the nation’s wealthiest people, is privileged to capture the socioeconomic contrasts that have widened the nation’s poverty gap in recent years. years.
“We should never give back to society just to woo ourselves, because that seems to be the mindset.”
These clubs have relied on the compassion and integrity of good people like you to serve as oases for the downtrodden, he added.
“You have taught us much more about what it means to have empathy and, more importantly, to act accordingly.
“Rotary clubs have become the conscience of the world, reminding us of the debt we owe to our society.
“We must never give in to the temptation to believe that giving back to the society that produced us is a favor to those in need.
“While this is the general thinking, we cannot afford to underestimate the circumstances that gave us a good start in life and that to do so would entail great risk.
“Every society, like nature itself, abhors a vacuum, so the alternative of giving to those on the lowest rungs of our economic ladder is a calamity none of us are prepared for.
“Society is not the beggar here. This society is the source of the material possessions on which we scrutinize our balance sheets to determine the size of the charities to dispense or license.
“We are simply giving back to our donor, and that is because none of us are prepared for the worst implication of overlooking these gaps that most of us are trapped in.”
Mr. Shettima said he is not surprised that Mr. Alli has been elected as the eleventh president of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama.
“He deserves to be called that,” he said, adding: “The life of Yusuf Alli is a remarkable study in dedicated work; professionalism; and a deep sense of duty.
“These were the essential elements of the life that he has lived, for several decades, as a journalist.
“Today he has been recognized as a leading authority on investigative journalism in our country.
“Her colleagues, near and far, recognize the incredible hard work she puts into every story she pursues and the excellent quality of her results in the professional field.
“If all Rotarian Yusuf Alli has done in his life is the exemplary service he has given to journalism in our country, we would be forgiven for concluding that he has done enough in his lifetime.
“But here we are today, to witness your inauguration, as the eleventh president of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama.
“I think the lesson to be learned from that is that Yusuf Alli is very dedicated to the good of the community; but not only in journalism.
“As you reach the height you have reached today, as the 11th president of a body like the Rotary Club, we can similarly underscore the fact that your dedication to the good of the community goes beyond your vocation as a journalist.”
In his comments, Rotn. Alli said that although she joined Rotary by accident, her reason for joining the Club was not to lead but to serve.
“I have never aspired to lead. All I wanted was to serve my way. I come from a family with a deep passion for service and giving.
“I also came from a family that loves to share and give. So, I saw myself only up to the guy in Rotary, he doesn’t look extraordinary.
“I need to explain this to clear up doubts about my resiliency for Rotary service. As long as I serve humanity, I expect nothing in return.”
Immediate past club president Victoria Unoarumi listed some of her achievements to include increasing membership, exceeding the goal set for the Rotary Foundation with a contribution of $43,718.00, completing 21 projects in Rotary’s seven focus areas, and the completion of a star project. of a block of five classrooms.
He called on club members to give “Imagine Rotary President Yusuf Alli and the new board of directors the support they gave him during his tenure.”
The highlight of the event was the award ceremony for 11 Nigerians distinguished for their selfless contributions to the development of the country and humanity.
They include Mohammed Haruna, Wale Babalakin, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, Aliyu Abdulhameed, Igho Sanomi, Soliu Mustapha, Ahmad Salihijo, Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede, Fabian Nwora, Inuwa Abdullahi and Mukhtar Galadima.