Ahmed Yahaya-Joe
Congratulations to Sagab Sani Ahmed on his recent designation as the nominee designate District Governor of Rotary District 9125.
Rotarians are peculiar people that are committed to, “the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service” and, “high ethical standards in business and professions and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.”
You do not have to be a Rotarian to subscribe to the universal application of the 4-Way Test;
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned
Rotary International has more than a million members in over 32,000 clubs among 200 countries and geographical areas, making it the most widespread by branches and largest service club by membership in the world.
District 9125 of Nigeria covers a geographical network of clubs in 23 states including FCT. At its apex is the outgoing governor, Janet Bamigboye. Other Districts in Nigeria include 9120 and 9130.
In 1985, Rotary International launched its PolioPlus program to immunize all of the world’s children against polio. Despite hiccups in the immunization program nearly two billion children worldwide have been vaccinated.
Dr. Tunji Funsho another Kano Rotarian headed that effort in Nigeria. I vividly recall how the “Kick out Polio” campaign in the early 2000s was nearly scuttled. It took deft manoeuvring by the Presidency and Sultanate to bring it back on track. Mercifully, Nigeria is now polio free!
So, what is a Gwale boy like Sagab Sani Ahmed doing in Rotary International?
We often discuss the negative profiling, but in Kano, there are the bonafide Kaneji and the assimilated Gambaraji, Gwale being one of the most receptive quarters within the ancient city walls of Kano after the British conquest of 1903. Expect a well-formed package when a devout Muslim is Jesuit educated at St. Louis Primary and eventually St. Thomas’s Secondary all in that historic megalopolis.
Nigeria’s first Rotary Club was incorporated in 1961 in Kano. Lagos and Ibadan followed.
Architect Sagab is not the first District Governor I personally know. He however remains the youngest. My primary school classmate and professional colleague is stepping into large shoes left by Kano father figures like the aging but indomitable Chiefs JB Majiyagbe, SAN OFR. Then there is Chief JAJ Ajoge, father of another of our mates, Tokunbo – both of whom are now of blessed memory. Lest I forget the skilled Zaria surgeon, Dr. Stephen Churchill Kitchener, OON.
That is why I refer to Sagab as the governor of the Ofege generation. We are indeed proud that one of us that grew up without ethnic and religious bias during the roaring 70s of the oil boom eras – a halcyon period of a bygone era has ascended to such an enviable position.
Many are Rotarians among us. Others like me are not. It has neither affected our cohesion nor solidarity.
Congratulations on this incredible honor, Your Excellency!
