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The Rotary International Zone 20A comprises almost all the countries in Africa. The organisation will, for the first time since its 113-year existence, host an annual conference known as the Institute in Lagos, Nigeria, in September. The conference will attract over 1,000 Rotarians from all over Africa, the United States and Switzerland.
Michael Olawale-Cole, former president of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and vice president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), is the chairman of the Institute’s organising committee. He speaks with ODINAKA ANUDU on the benefits of the conference to Nigeria.
Tell us about Rotary International’s forthcoming Institute.
Rotary International has different zones for administration. Rotary in Nigeria has four districts and belong to zone 20A of the Rotary International. Every zone has an annual conference of all the senior Rotarians around it. It is like an annual general meeting.
It is a conference; it is like an annual convention. Annually, Rotarians go for an international convention. This year, we went to Toronto, Canada. The next thing after that level is the Rotary Institute. The convention is for Rotarians all over the whole world, but the Institute is for Rotarians within that zone, and we happen to fall into Zone 20A, which consists mostly of the countries in Africa.
For the first time ever, Rotary International has agreed to have that conference in Nigeria. It has never happened before since 1905 when Rotary was established. It is a major event and success for Nigeria as a country to be considered to host this Institute. It has been held all over Africa.
Last year, it was held in Johannesburg. We have been before to Ghana, Kenya, Seychelles and all over the place. We have been fighting for it to be in Nigeria until now.
Why were the leaders reluctant to host it in Nigeria before?
They have to consider the issue of security, infrastructure and general environment. Rotary is highly organised. Before they agree for you to host, they must be sure that all is well there. Nice environment, safety, and they must ensure there will be no violence or earthquake. We thank God that, for the first time, Lagos has been approved to host the 2018 Zone 20A Institute for the whole of Africa. I am in 9110, which includes Lagos and Ogun states. The other three districts cover other parts of Nigeria. There are three other co-chairs working with me. That is the big job we have been given. That is a big win for Nigeria to be considered good to host it. It will host about 1,000 people coming from across Africa and also America. Top Rotary leadership in the USA will be here.
Considering the level of human and vehicular traffic gridlock in Lagos, do you not think Abuja would have been a better choice?
The convener of the institute—the director-general elect—is a Nigerian. He will resume in July. He went round the whole of Nigeria to look at the environment, security, hotels, facilities, safety and general things. He went to Port Harcourt, Abuja, Calabar and he settled for Lagos—Eko Hotel and Suites precisely. It will host 1,000 people from September 10. Usually, the Institute comes along for preparations such as training of the incoming district governors. I was the district governor of 9110 Nigeria between 2005 and 2006. Rotary year runs from July 1 to June 30. We are training those that will take over the leadership here. It started from June 10. The whole Institute will be happening betweenSeptember 10 and 15. The real Institute itself will be between 10 and 15. All those that have been trained will be taking part in the Institute. These are leaders in Africa. So, Rotary leaders will be coming from the USA and Switzerland (Zurich), including Illinois, which is the headquarters. The president will be sending the incoming president from Alabama.
Tell us about logistics. How prepared are you to host these people?
We are speaking to relevant agencies in Nigeria, because we must ensure that nothing goes wrong for any guest that is here. If anything goes wrong, it will have a lot of implications on Nigeria. We have an ambition to deliver an excellent Institute in Nigeria, so that we might have the chance in future to be considered for it again, or even be considered for a bigger event. We never thought Nigeria could do it. But now, we have been given a chance. That is why I call this a national project. The federal, state governments and a whole lot of Nigerians must be involved, so that we can deliver a successful Institute. We can host international convention where we host 20,000 to 30,000 people, but you can’t be considered for that unless you have done the Institute well and all other programmes. We are speaking with the Immigration, the Police, the Customs, because people will be coming from the airport here. The ease of doing will show. Many of them may have interest to invest in Nigeria. They can decide to set up businesses here or have collaborations with Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Nigerian Rotarians can then share with them the projects they wish to do for Nigeria in terms of building of schools, hospitals, renovation of schools, and provision of scholarships. They can share and then collaborate with stronger economies.
Have you spoken with the federal government about this?
Yes, we have. The vice president will be here for the opening ceremony.
Will you also use the opportunity to showcase opportunities in Nigeria to those coming from outside?
Definitely, we are having the vice president. So, he surely will say something about Nigerian potentialities. Of those coming, maybe only two percent of them have been here before. So, they will be excited. We are trying to speak with Nigerian entrepreneurs like Tony Elumelu, and other eminent people like Wole Soyinka. We want them to showcase our good people and our opportunities. You can see
the class of people we are trying to project to let them tell the Nigerian story. When the Rotarians come in, they will also have the opportunity to move around. Some may also have the opportunity to go to other parts of Nigeria. Usually, we stay a day or two before or after or many days after to see the business opportunities of the host country. Rotarians are business and professional people, united in their way of service. All the guys in Rotary are business people. They are coming to Nigeria for the biggest Rotary event in Africa. What can we do for them? What can we get for them? Can we do some partnership, investment here? The committee in charge of hospitality is already arranging visits to Abeokuta, Lekki, Badagry and other areas of interest. We will show the opportunities for them. That is why I said earlier that it is a Nigerian project. A lot of people are coming in to bring their money in. They will spend money here. Lagos economy will feel that there are new people here. We have been talking to the federal and Lagos State governments to give it their support, in terms of infrastructure, security and traffic control, so that the guests can have a good time here.
What do you think will be the major take-away from the Institute?
For Rotarians, it is an opportunity to gather knowledge, because there will be a lot of information about the latest developments in the Rotary Club. So, when Rotarians come over here, and they will have the Rotary president and the office managing Africa here from Zurich, they will give you information. For Rotarians, it is an opportunity to network, to discuss the future growth of Nigeria and be updated with the latest information. It is also an opportunity for them to meet their counterparts coming from other countries. There will be proposals and they will exchange contacts. For Nigeria, these people will go around the market and buy things. So, the Lagos economy will feel it. Usually, they can partner with Nigerian businesspeople. There will be gala nights and receptions.
Is it a closed conference?
No, you are free to attend.
What does Rotary Club stand for?
It is an association of business and professional people. Al we do is to serve our communities. We take Rotary as a way of worship because you are helping other people, providing for the needy and helping people that cannot afford to go to school. You are also holding conferences on world peace.
