Many people think being a Rotary District Governor (DG) is all about glamour and lots of perks. But the DG of Rotary Club International, District 9110, Rotarian Patrick Ijehon Ikheloa, thinks otherwise. A graduate of Civil Engineering, Fulham Chelsea College, London, he spoke with GBENGA ADERANTI about the challenges faced by Rotary DGs, how he managed to raise the highest amount so far in the history of Rotary Club in Nigeria and the cost of being a DG, among other issues
Which uncompleted projects were on ground when you came in as DG?
As a matter of fact, Rotary does not abandon projects, because every year we have a new leadership of Rotary and every year the new leadership sets a goal and the projects it wants to embark upon. As a matter of fact, we try as much as possible to achieve this set goal. Wherever you stop, some other persons who are coming might take off from there.
This Rotary year, we’ve set our goal. The actual project that has been on the ground for Rotary is the eradication of polio. Incidentally, we have three countries that are still battling with polio: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. We are trying as much as possible to create awareness and try as much as possible to eradicate polio from Nigeria. This is restricted to a particular area in the far north where we were not able to access because of the situation on ground. It is a community where Boko Haram was in control at that time. But I think after dislodging Boko Haram from the Sambisa Forest and with the Federal Government recapturing the communities and the children came back, about four of them, that is when Nigeria became one of the polio endemic countries in the world.
But I can confirm to you that for the past four months, we have not had any new case. We are praying seriously that by the end of this Rotary year, we will not have any new case. The immunisation is ongoing, sensitisation is also ongoing.
We are also asking the media to help sensitise the people to bring their children for immunisation. That will also go a long way.
In the area of RIRSS project, we actually set a goal of the district having 8,500 Rotarians for the year. We are very confident that we will achieve this. We have also set a goal of giving scholarships to some of our youths. The programme is on. The first programme has been completed. People have been given free education. We are embarking on empowerment for those that have been given skill acquisition. That is coming up at the end of April.
We also have water projects. We have three mega projects that are coming up; one in Abeokuta, one in Ipaja and the third one in Oworonsoki. In fact, we have mobilised those that are handling them to site.
There are a lot of other projects. We set up microfinance and a lot of funds have been given to people in different communities. We have given support to traders. We are still hoping to do more in the remaining four and a half months in the areas of empowerment, education and more projects to be executed.
Talking about polio eradication, how much support do you get from the government?
Government is also in the forefront. The initiative is from Rotary, but government has almost taken over. Government is providing funds. It is also providing support services in the area of engaging local communities, creating enabling environment for nurses and those communities. Government is doing its best.
What about eye surgery?
We are having free eye surgery in collaboration with the districts.
You have four months left. How would you rate your performance?
By the grace of God, we have done our best. We have done more to surpass the past. We have done more than had been achieved before. For example, in the area of district educational fund, the money that we raised had never been raised before. As at today, we have raised about N7 million; that is the highest the district has ever raised in one year.
Before now, we had 80 clubs. But as at the end of the last Rotary year, we have increased to 97 clubs, and as at today, I have visited 95 of the 97 clubs.
In a situation where Rotary clubs is confronted with too many demands by host communities, how do you resolve this?
In most cases, we advise clubs to first and foremost do the need assessment of the community where they want to operate. Through that need assessment, they will be able to meet the leaders of these communities and know exactly what they need. And I think if a need assessment is well done, those issues would be addressed before the project starts. But in most cases, we advise clubs not to go into projects where they are likely to have crisis, and we divert such projects to other communities that are waiting with open hands to receive them. I think the one you are referring to was later resolved at the end of the day.
Assuming you had the opportunity to serve again, what would you likely to do differently?
I will first of all let you know that it is not even possible to do it again. And even if it is possible, one might not be very willing to take it because it is very demanding and stressful. It takes you out for a complete one and a half years from your job, and at the end of the day, you are not being paid for this job; you are just there. As I am sitting down here, the man who is taking over from me is already known, and so the succession is planned. So you don’t even think of taking it back, no matter how good you are.
We live in an individualistic society. It is crazy for a person to work without being paid. Why did you take up a task like this?
I think I will ask you why over 1.3 million people in the world decide to take over this job. We are 1.3 million people worldwide in this organisation, and I just told you that we have 2,347 Rotarians in the district. As at now, none of these people is being paid. Our own is that we make the less-privileged in our community smile. We try as much as possible to give out from the little we have to make people in our community access water and medicine to take care of their health. It means that the less- privileged are being taken care of.
On this note, we are also drawing the attention of government to Rotary, because Rotary is actually assisting the government where we know government cannot cover.
At what point did you decide to join Rotary?
I joined Rotary in 1994.
Why?
I joined because I needed to touch lives and to see how I can assist the less-privileged. That was my motivation. And since 1994, I have not looked back.
Any regret being a Rotarian?
My regret is that we have so many jobs to do but less labourers.
Is there anything you are missing as DG?
I’m missing my job. I have no time to take care of my job. That is the only thing I’m missing. But about the service, I’m enjoying it.
Rotary Club is said to be reserved for the rich…
Of course, that is the wrong perception people have about Rotary. Rotary is not just for the rich, although it is also not meant for the poor, because you need to pay some token for subscription to remain a member of Rotary. You also need to have the mind of service, of giving the little you have. You are not tasked to give out, but you are encouraged. By the time you see the projects, you will be happy to do more. It is not for the rich but for service-minded people who are ready to give from whatever they have.
Has being the Rotary DG opened doors for you?
It is not about opening doors. I started travelling outside this country before I joined Rotary. It is not about opening doors, but it does not stop you from knowing people you might need to know. Knowing people depends on your interaction with people and what you do.
What is your most difficult challenge as DG?
The most difficult period was from July 1, 2016 to January I, 2017. I was more or less permanently on the road to visit the clubs that are scattered around Lagos and Ogun states. You need to visit these clubs one after the other. For six months, I was more or less on the road. My brief case was permanently inside my car. You visit one today, the next day you move to another. At the weekend you come back for an event in Lagos and the next day you are going back to Abeokuta. So it was so challenging.
That is why I told you that even if there was an opportunity for you to do a second term, you would not want to do it because it is demanding.
How were you able to manage the district’s affairs and your home?
Well, having been a Rotarian for some years, my wife knows that I’m very committed to Rotary. If I’m not at home, I’ve gone for a Rotary function. She has nothing to worry about. But in most cases for Rotary occasions, my wife is always there to support me. My family members are used to Rotary and they know the activities of Rotary. Some of my children are also being encouraged to join and contribute in their own little ways. In addition to that, my wife had served in the organisation, Inner Wheel as chair, which is equivalent to the office of a district governor.
We try as much as possible to make them understand that we have agreed to do it and we should be given support. For you to be qualified to be a DG, you go through trainings.
What legacies are you leaving as a DG?
The legacy is those you have given support, people you have trained to achieve leadership positions. Apart from that, I told you that we are embarking on water projects, and that will be written boldly that this was done when so and so was the Rotary DG. But don’t forget that 2,447 members will not forget this Rotary year because this Rotary year was tagged double the double year.
Where do you think government can support Rotary?
It is difficult for us to tell where government can support, but we need government’s support. Rotary worldwide will be happy if government workers, especially politicians, join Rotary.
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