Sustaining the Momentum… Creating Lasting Impact
Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and Friends of Rotary,
Welcome to September!
What a powerful start to the 2026–2027 Rotary year! In just eight weeks, District 9111 has transformed enthusiasm into action, action into measurable progress and progress into lasting impact. I am deeply grateful for the energy, commitment and generosity that have propelled our District forward, and I am even more excited about what we will achieve together in the weeks ahead.
August, our Membership and New Club Development Month, delivered remarkable results. We recorded a net membership gain of 255 Rotary members and 6 Rotaract members, and welcomed the Rotary Club of Festival City Pathfinders, the second new club chartered in our District this Rotary year. These achievements reflect the power of invitation, collaboration and purposeful leadership across our clubs.
Thank you to every Rotarian who opened the door to Rotary by inviting someone to join us. But growth is only the beginning. Our next priority is to engage, involve and inspire every member so that they find meaningful opportunities to serve, lead and belong.
September brings a fresh wave of priorities and possibilities. As we celebrate Basic Education and Literacy Month, we will focus on sustainable projects that support schools, teachers and learners. We will also strengthen our public image by telling our Rotary stories boldly and showing our communities the difference we are making. Alongside this, we will intensify humanitarian service through our Mission for Vision screening and Blood Donation Drive, deepen collaboration with Rotaract and District 9112, and continue developing leaders through our meetings, seminars, club visits and fellowship activities.
The momentum is real. The opportunity is even greater. Let us carry the energy of our first eight weeks into September and continue turning Rotary’s promise into visible, measurable and lasting impact.
As we pursue membership growth, we must also give greater attention to Rotaract. Our Rotaractors are not just part of the Rotary family, they are our partners in service. We must support them, engage them, collaborate with them and give them opportunities to lead and serve alongside us. Let us help our Rotaract clubs grow stronger and become more visible in our communities. When Rotaract grows, the entire Rotary family grows stronger.
Our commitment to The Rotary Foundation remains impressive. In our first eight weeks, District 9111 contributed US$242,991. This is commendable, and I can only say to our Rotarians, THANK YOU. You made this happen. Let us keep giving and keep transforming lives.
Another major highlight was RYLA 2026. Under the chairmanship of Rotarian Jide Ogunleye of RC Omole Golden, our clubs collectively sponsored 410 young people to the Sea School. I thank every sponsoring club, Jide and his committee for delivering a truly impactful, inspiring and world-class RYLA.
We also sponsored two young people to RYLA UK, District 1145, further demonstrating our commitment to developing young leaders and exposing them to the international family of Rotary.
My official club visits continued, and I have now visited 22 clubs. Thank you for the warm hospitality and, more importantly, for the impactful work taking place across our District. The remodelling of our District Office also continues as we work towards giving District 9111 a Rotary Centre we can all be proud of.
Membership remained a major focus throughout August, with three online Membership Seminars and a joint Membership Seminar with District 9112 in Abeokuta.
We also had a special reason to celebrate as the union between Rotarian Faosiat Omolokun of District 9112 and Rotarian Kunle Omolokun of District 9111 was blessed with triplets. When 9111 and 9112 come together, even the blessings come in multiples! We congratulate the proud parents.
We also celebrated the remarkable life of Rotarian Engr. Kunle Marinho, a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta, who peacefully passed away on 26th August 2026 at the age of 94. Baba lived a long and fulfilling life of service, leaving behind a legacy worthy of celebration. His wife is also a Rotarian, making theirs a beautiful family story of service through Rotary. We honour his memory and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the Rotary Club of Abeokuta. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month, reminding us that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives. I encourage our clubs to support schools, teachers and learners and, importantly, to develop sustainable projects that will create lasting educational impact.
September must also be a month of Public Image. Let us tell our Rotary stories and let our communities see the difference we are making.
When Rotary is visible, Rotary becomes attractive. When Rotary becomes attractive, Rotary grows.
The investitures of our Club Presidents and my official District Governor’s visits continue throughout September.
We will meet with our Club Presidents, Assistant Governors and Zonal Coordinators on 17th September. DG Speaks and An Evening with the DG hold on 18th September at the Rotary Centre. For An Evening with the DG, invite a friend to experience Rotary, you may just be bringing our next Rotarian!
September will also see us intensify our humanitarian service. Screening for our Mission for Vision will commence in the third week of September, bringing us another step closer to restoring sight and transforming lives.
On 19th September 2026, we will hold our Blood Donation Drive at the District Office. I encourage Rotarians, Rotaractors, friends and members of the public who are eligible to come out and donate. A few minutes of your time could give someone another chance at life.
Give blood. Give hope. Save a life.
Our New Club Development Champions meet on 20th September, the Zone 1 Multi-Zonal Meeting holds on 25th September, while the Joint Basic Education and Literacy Seminar of Rotary International Districts 9111 and 9112 holds on 29th September 2026.
We will also strengthen our international fellowship through our Rotary Friendship Exchange to Canada on 30th September.
My dear Rotary family, our first eight weeks have been encouraging, but we are only getting started.
Let us grow our membership, strengthen our Rotary and Rotaract clubs, support The Rotary Foundation, invest in education, serve our communities and tell our Rotary stories boldly.
The momentum is building. The impact is growing. The work continues.
Together, let us continue Creating Lasting Impact.
Welcome to September, and I wish you a fulfilling and impactful Basic Education and Literacy Month.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Bukola Olabisi Bakare
District Governor 2026 - 2027
Rotary International District 9111