By Laja Thomas
SELFLESS service to humanity and building an enduring partnerships took centre stage at the 8th West African Project Fair, WAPF, hosted by Rotary International District 9110, penultimate weekend at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos.
The fair which was declared open by Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, who is a Rotarian, charged the participants from different parts of the world to continue to embrace the ideals of Rotary, adding that: "I have not known or seen any organisation which embarks on selfless service to mankind than Rotary."
The chair, West Africa Project Fair Committee, Saliu Ahmed, a Past District Governor, PDG, set the ball rolling in his goodwill message. "The fair hosted on a rotational basis amongst the four Rotary International Districts in West Africa brings West African Rotarians and Rotary clubs in close personal contact with international Rotarians and Rotary clubs for the purpose of cultivating friendships and partnership in community service implementation.
It is gratifying to note that some of these partnerships have been sustained over the years and continue to serve as fulcrum for many more on-going projects," he said.
The host organising committee chairman, PDG Deinde Shoga, in his contribution, explained that "the goal of the fair is to produce international partnerships on humanitarian projects that will help communities most in need to benefit", adding that "the fair also gives Rotarians a chance to socialise with each other and take in some of the host country's cultural and tourists attractions".
While the District Governor, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, called for more assistance in projects sponsoring and donation than in the past. He said: "Your active participation in this fair will give the much desired opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of less- privileged people".
The Director, Rotary International, Gidi Peiper, lauded the service of Rotary to mankind. He said: "It's more than a century of service to mankind.
Rotary has never stopped making advance. It has continuously discovered new ways to serve the community to keep helping those in need. At this event, you will have the opportunities to see, hear and discuss about Rotary activities and programmes in your beautiful part of the world".
Also speaking, past District Governor Robert Attah, from Ghana, expressed satisfaction with what Rotary International is doing in West African sub-region.
