Governor of Rotary International, District 9110, Rtn. Omotunde Lawson, will be leading a delegation of Rotarians from Nigeria on a 6-day official visit to Turkey for the first ever Rotary Means Business (RMB) and Friendship Exchange programmes.
The visit, scheduled to begin from Tuesday, September 20, 2022, will take the District Governor and her delegation to four cities where they are expected to network with the Turkish business community, visit the Chamber of Commerce, embark on an end Polio walk and then lay a wreath in commemoration of the memory of Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the District Governor noted that the visit was necessitated by the need to promote friendship and business beyond borders and promote inter-district activities among Rotarians of both countries.
Rtn. Lawson, who is the first-ever female District Governor in 42 years of District 9110, expressed joy that after months of planning, the exchange programme was finally set to begin.
Highlights of the programme will include: official signing of the Joint Agreement between Rotary International District 9110 (Lagos, Nigeria) and District 2440 (Izmir, Turkey) in Turkey and flagging off the Trade Mission (Rotary Means Business) / Startups at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Izmir is the biggest commercial city in Turkey.
In addition, there will be an End Polio walk by Rotary leaders with the Mayor of Adiyaman, a “Reach The Mountain Top” Concert for polio victims and laying of wreath to pay respect to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The delegation is expected to move to Ankara for a meeting with Her Excellency, Atosery Natasory, the President of International Business and Investment in Turkey, and an interactive session with the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary of Rotary International District 2440, District Governor Nominee, Mert Kourer, revealed that the District Governor and Rotarians of District 2440 are excited to receive and welcome Rotarians from District 9110.
He appealed for the cooperation and support of both countries especially the embassies to ensure massive participation in this landmark programme.
He added that the success of this initial effort will definitely lead to more trade missions, start-ups and friendship exchanges which will promote cultural cooperation and opportunity to join forces to positively impact humanity which is the main goal of Rotary International.
Rotarian Benedict Okhumale, Coordinator of the Rotary Mean Business Programme, said all machinery has been put in motion to ensure a hitch-free programme. He further stated that the event was conceptualized to give Rotarians in business an opportunity to network as well as establish relationships that will help them grow their businesses.
He urged Rotarians who are not able to participate in the inaugural edition to gear up for subsequent ones and wait for the return exchange visit of their Turkish counterparts for the friendship and business exhibition coming up later in the year.
Commending the District Governor for seeing through the project and leading the high-profile delegation, Rotarian Ozuem Esiri, who is the International Liaison Representative for the District 9110 & 2440 Exchange programme, said this was an opportunity to connect the world and urged all to imagine the huge potential of partnership and friendship that will be established through this unique programme.
