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Rotary Foundation Advances $5m Programme to Safeguard Mothers, Children in Nigeria

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Rotary Foundation renews its pledge to improve maternal and child health in Nigeria through the $5m Together for Healthy Families programme

The Rotary Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing maternal and child health in Nigeria through its flagship initiative, Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria.

Also read: Rotary expands reach in Lagos with chartering of Ikeja Township Club

Speaking in Abuja after an interactive session with the Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, the Foundation’s Chair, Holger Knaack, described the programme as one of Rotary’s most impactful interventions in Africa.

Knaack, who was accompanied by his wife Suzanne, expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress recorded under the initiative, noting that it has significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality in participating communities.

“What we are seeing here is the result of more than 25 years of collaboration among Rotarians, volunteers, and government health officials,” he said.

“Together, we have achieved a meaningful reduction in maternal and child deaths that is the true impact of partnership.”

He explained that Rotary’s global strategy focuses on large-scale, measurable projects that deliver lasting social change. “Our goal is always impact.

It’s not just about doing good, but about doing the right thing and being able to measure it. Bigger projects have greater, measurable results,” he said.

The Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme, valued at $2 million, has since attracted additional partnerships and funding.

According to Knaack, collaboration with international partners, including Germany, has increased total investment to nearly $5 million, while the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has pledged another $5 million over the coming years to sustain progress.

Also speaking, Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, described the initiative as a milestone achievement for Nigeria, noting that it is only the second Programme of Scale approved globally by the Foundation.

“I’m delighted that Nigeria was selected, and that implementation started strongly,” she said. “We are already seeing tangible improvements in maternal and child care. The next phase will extend the programme beyond the pilot locations.”

The National Coordinator, Prof. Adedolapo Emmanuel Lufadeju, said the programme aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by 25%, while improving systemic access to life-saving health services.

He disclosed that the initiative, launched in November 2022, began operations across four states — the FCT, Nasarawa, Gombe, and Ekiti  covering 49 health facilities.

“Owing to the success recorded, by July 2025, we expanded to 103 facilities,” he said. “This impact goes beyond mothers and children; it strengthens entire communities.”

Also read: Holger Knaack Promotes Rotary Health Initiatives Across Nigeria

As Rotary continues to mobilise global partners, the Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria programme stands as a powerful symbol of sustained humanitarian collaboration and measurable progress in public health.

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Rotary Club of Ikeja Celebrates Rotary Foundation Day, Decorates Two Major Donors

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(‎L-R:) ‎ President, Rotary Club of Ikeja; Rotarian Lanre Lawal, Past Assistant Governor, Ade Oyenekan, Major Donor and Past President, Dotun Lampejo and Chair, Rotary Foundation; Rotarian Ronke Akanni at the recognition of PP Lampejo as a Major Donor during the celebration of Rotary Foundation Day by Rotary Club of Ikeja which held on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Foremost Rotary Club in Rotary International District 9111, Rotary Club of Ikeja recently hosted its
Foundation Day at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja in celebration of the Rotary Foundation Month.
The event, which was attended by members of the club as well as non-Rotarians, also afforded the club
the opportunity of decorating two of its major donors, Past President Dotun Lampejo and Immediate
Past President of the club, Rotarian Kayode Situ.
Speaking at the event on the theme, ‘’Serving Humanity through Rotary Foundation’’, the guest speaker,
Past District Governor, Kolawole Sodipo extolled the virtues of the founding fathers of the club for
nurturing and sustaining the club over five decades.
While describing the club as an effective one, PDG Sodipo said that the club had ticked the boxes of an
effective Rotary club by sustaining and growing its membership, implementing service projects that
address needs of the immediate communities as well as supporting Rotary Foundation through
participation and contribution.
Talking about the benefits of Rotary Foundation to humanity, he said that, ‘’The Rotary Foundation
transforms your gifts into projects that change people’s lives and also empowers Rotarians to approach
challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting
impact.’’

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RC Ikeja Township Rotakid School Pupils Receive Scholarship from United President

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Rotary Club Scholarship awarded to pupil as RC Ikeja Township adopts Rotakid school, supporting education and youth development in Lagos

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Hon. Akindele  Raises ₦17 Million for  13-Year-Old Kidney Patient

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The Executive Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Hon. Akindele Adunni Opeyemi, has donated ₦10 million to support the kidney transplant surgery of 13-year-old Alfred Akande, a resident battling chronic kidney disease.

She announced the donation during the official flag-off of the Mosan Okunola Renewed Hope Relief Cash Package on Friday, where 200 indigent residents received ₦100,000 each.

Alfred was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease caused by a posterior urethral valve, and he urgently requires ₦17 million for a kidney transplant. The heartbreaking report was brought to Hon. Akindele’s attention by the Council’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Abiola Mobolaji Adeyinka, a revelation that left not just her but the entire hall in tears.

According to Dr. Adeyinka, the ₦17 million is the actual cost of treatment, post-operative care, check-ups, and medications not included.

It was reliably gathered that little Alfred started having the infection when he was barely four months old. Two different operations were said to have been carried out on him without success.

According to a letter with serial number SUB/LASUTH/PAED 2/1529 and signed by Dr. B. V. Jeje, Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, on 9th September 2025, it stated thus:

“MEDICAL REPORT (HOSP. NO: 62091)
RE: AKANDE ALFRED / 13 YEARS / MALE

The above patient presented to the Nephrology Clinic on 10/03/24 following referral from the Paediatric Surgery Outpatient Department.

A diagnosis of chronic kidney disease secondary to a posterior urethral valve and vesico-ureteral reflux post-repair was made.

The patient is being co-managed with the Paediatric Surgical Team and is being worked up for surgical correction.

The patient’s most recent clinic visit was on 15/04/25, where parents were counselled on the need for renal transplant.

Please accord all necessary assistance to him.

You can reach out to us in the unit should you require further information about this report,” the letter stated.

Hon. Akindele could not hold back her tears as Alfred’s mother recounted his medical history. She immediately consulted with the Vice Chairman, Hon. Akintola Falade, and the Council Manager, Mrs. Abiola Apatira, after which they agreed on a ₦10 million donation to support his transplant surgery.

According to her, “Our kids are our future. God didn’t put us here for ourselves but for the people we govern. You can imagine a 13-year-old boy with kidney issues. I promise to take up his health case. Today, Mosan Okunola LCDA is donating the sum of ₦10 million for this cause.

“While I was seated here, my Campaign DG, Abdul-Ahmed Ayodele Alawaye (Triple A), whispered to my ear that he’s supporting with the sum of ₦1 million. Our representative at the National Assembly, Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba, also pledged the sum of ₦2 million. I will call all my sister local governments to seek their favour on this issue, and I’m sure they’ll support with their widow’s mite. I can bet on them. We call ourselves the six local councils with one voice. Ejigbadero is not here but his people are here and he will be properly briefed.

“I will follow his case up to the General Hospital. It won’t be done in just any hospital. I will meet the State Commissioner for Health, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, and Mr. Governor too will be notified. His case is settled in Jesus’ name.”

“If we record excess donations, we are not going to put it in our pocket. We will establish his mother with it,” she vowed, and prayed for a successful surgery and full recovery for Alfred.

Alfred’s visibly frail and tearful mother, Mrs. Funmilayo Elizabeth Akande, who was at the event as one of the beneficiaries of the cash transfer, expressed deep gratitude with tears of joy on her face.

“I was here for the ₦100,000 so that I can use it to buy drugs for him pending when help will come our way. This is the pain we have been going through for the past 12 years, but today, Hon. Akindele brought smiles to my son’s and my face. She made sure life is safe for my son and me. We had almost lost all hope.

“Where was I going to see ₦17 million? But the council boss surprised my son and me. She restored Alfred’s hope of living again. She will never encounter sorrow for the rest of her life,” she prayed with tears in her eyes.

Alfred, in his appreciation letter to the council boss, stated that the gesture will go a long way in restoring his health, adding that he will grow up to become a good leader like Hon. Akindele in the future.

Donors for Alfred’s surgery at the event included: Abdul-Ahmed Ayodele Alawaye, ₦1,000,000; Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba, Member, House of Representatives representing Alimosho Federal Constituency, ₦2,000,000; Mosan Okunola Legislative Arm, ₦500,000; Hon. Rotimi Ogunwuyi (O’ Legal), ₦200,000; Alhaji Yisa Yusuf (YY), ₦250,000; and Engr. Bosun Oduntan (Dunco), ₦50,000.

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