Event
Rotary Public Image Seminar Boosts Visibility Through Media Advocacy
Rotary Public Image Seminar inspires credibility and impact as Ehi Braimah, Reuben Abati and leaders urge Rotarians to tell powerful stories
The atmosphere inside The Rotary Centre, Ikeja GRA, was one of purpose and quiet excitement on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, as Rotarians, Rotaractors, and communication professionals gathered for the District 9112 Public Image Seminar.
Also read: Rotary District 9112 Public Image Seminar Gathers Top PR Experts
The event, led by Assistant Regional Public Image Coordinator (ARPIC) and the chairman of District 9112 Public Image Committee, Ehi Braimah, and his committee members, was not just another meeting; it was a deep dive into how Rotary’s story should be told, perceived, and remembered.
With the theme focused on building a compliant and impactful Rotary image, the seminar reflected a larger ambition: equipping members with the skills to strengthen visibility, credibility, and influence.
The keynote address came from veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, who spoke passionately on Strategic Media Engagements to Advance Rotary’s Mission in Nigeria.
His message was simple yet powerful—media is not an accessory but a driver of impact.
“Rotary needs the media as a strategic partner to promote the work we do in Nigeria,” he said, explaining that radio, television, print, online, and social platforms all have a role to play.
He reminded Rotarians of Paul Harris’ timeless words: “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results it achieves.”
For Abati, this quote underscores why storytelling and editorial amplification are crucial—because Rotary’s humanitarian service is best understood by its impact.
To illustrate, he pointed to milestones already achieved.
“The Rotary Foundation spent over $300 million to kick polio out of Nigeria,” he noted, recalling that the World Health Organisation declared Nigeria wild polio-free on August 24, 2020, after three years without a single case.
He also highlighted that $14 million had been released by The Rotary Foundation to strengthen surveillance of polio eradication, while a $2 billion Program of Scale grant is supporting maternal and child health in Nigeria.
“The media needs to tell these stories,” he emphasised, “because they show Rotary’s impact and relevance.”
Abati urged participants to link Rotary’s vision directly to Nigeria’s realities: “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change—across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
He explained that while external media is indispensable, Rotarians themselves are the organisation’s biggest brand ambassadors.
Public image, he stressed, is not just about what is published but about the perception the public holds—shaped daily by members’ actions, their club activities, and how they communicate their work.
“A positive public image is crucial for attracting new members, securing donations, and building credible partnerships,” he said.
“With the right media support, Rotary will raise awareness, build trust and admiration, and showcase its values more powerfully. This is also about demonstrating credibility, expertise, and thought leadership.”
Adding depth to the conversation, Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Chairman and CEO of PRCAN, graced the seminar as Special Guest of Honour.
She stressed the importance of deliberate communication in shaping Rotary’s reputation, noting that credibility is earned through consistent storytelling and authenticity.
The intellectual exchange broadened when Rotary International’s Regional Public Image Coordinator for Zone 22, Region 27, Ibim Semenitari, joined via Zoom.
Representing 10 districts across English-speaking West and North Africa, Semenitari reinforced the importance of branding discipline within Rotary.
“Every time we tell our Rotary stories, every time we use our brand logo rightly, every time we show up, and showcase the great things we’re doing in the world, we attract funders and members,” she said, stressing that effective use of the Rotary identity is more than aesthetics—it is a bridge to influence and sustainability.
Her intervention brought a continental dimension to the discussion, reminding participants that image is not just a local affair but a regional and global strategy.
District Governor Lanre Adedoyin, serving as chief host, captured the spirit of the day with a simple reminder: “Public Image is one way that we expand our reach in Rotary—telling our stories as People of Action and showcasing our impact.”
The seminar was further enriched by presentations designed to be practical and transformative.
Past District Governor John Senaya spoke on Telling Our Story, Growing Our Impact; Rotarian Achime Arinze emphasised why every Rotary club should own a website; Joy Obinyan asked the provocative question, What Is a Great Brand?; while Past President Oromena Osugo highlighted how social media can amplify Rotary stories.
ARPIC Braimah himself gave a grounded overview of Nigeria’s media landscape, tying theory to reality.
While distinguished journalists like Sam Omatseye, Joseph Adeyeye, Dr. Sam Ayetutu, Gbenga Adefaye, Tony Onyima, Martins Oloja, and CNN Award-winning journalist Shola Oshunkeye were in attendance as guests, their presence symbolised a bridge between Rotary and the fourth estate—reinforcing that image is built not in isolation but through collaboration with those who shape public opinion daily.
For many participants, the day was more than a seminar; it was a wake-up call. The message was clear: Rotary’s image is not a logo or a slogan, but a living narrative built through clarity, credibility, and consistency.
By telling their stories boldly and correctly, Rotarians can not only strengthen fellowship but also inspire trust, attract partners, and magnify their impact across Nigeria and beyond.
Also read: Tinubu Congratulates Olayinka Babalola on Rotary International Election as President
The Rotary District 9112 Public Image Seminar may have lasted just one day, but its resonance will likely last much longer; in the way clubs present themselves, in how stories are told, and in the confidence with which members wear the Rotary identity.
For full album gallery, CLICK HERE
By Rtn. Victor Ojelabi
Wema Bank unveils 21 Hackaholics 7.0 finalists ahead of the November 6 grand finale in Lagos, following a nationwide innovation contest
Lea Perekrests arrives in Lagos ahead of the Rotary Peace Summit, urging inclusive governance and community action to build lasting peace
Mrs. Bola Tinubu has underscored the need for stronger corporate governance anchored on board accountability, ethical leadership, effective risk oversight and long-term value creation, warning that the durability of institutions depends on the quality of decisions made in their boardrooms today.
In a message ahead of the Corporate Governance Triangle Annual Colloquium scheduled for Thursday, October 22, Country Managing Partner, DLA Piper Africa said corporate governance must be understood as more than adherence to regulations, stressing that it is fundamental to building resilient institutions, protecting stakeholder interests and sustaining investor confidence.
“Good governance is not simply about compliance. It is about leadership, accountability and making the right decisions for the future,” she said.
The colloquium, convened by the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), the Convention on Business Integrity’s Centre for Leadership and Governance (CloD Nigeria), and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), is themed “Governing for the Future.”
The gathering comes at a time when corporate boards face increasing pressure to demonstrate stronger oversight, transparent decision-making and the capacity to navigate economic volatility, technological disruption and evolving stakeholder expectations.
Tinubu’s position places board effectiveness at the centre of the corporate governance conversation, emphasising that compliance with statutory requirements, while indispensable, is not sufficient to guarantee institutional integrity or sustainable performance.
Effective corporate governance requires boards to establish clear accountability structures, exercise independent judgement, challenge management assumptions and ensure that corporate strategy is aligned with the long-term interests of shareholders and other stakeholders.
It also demands robust internal controls, credible financial reporting, ethical conduct and risk management frameworks capable of identifying threats before they undermine organisational stability.
“At a time of rapid change and growing uncertainty, the quality of board leadership matters more than ever,” She said.
As a Keynote Speaker at the event, statement highlights the strategic responsibility of directors to look beyond short-term earnings and immediate operational pressures to consider the broader implications of their decisions for institutional continuity, reputation and value creation.
For companies operating in Nigeria’s evolving business environment, these responsibilities have significant implications for investor confidence and access to capital. Investors increasingly assess not only financial performance but also the quality of oversight, transparency of disclosures, protection of minority shareholders and the ability of boards to manage material risks.
Weak governance can expose companies to financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, reputational damage and regulatory sanctions. Conversely, credible governance structures can strengthen market confidence, improve accountability and create the conditions for sustainable business growth.
Tinubu stressed that boards must demonstrate the courage and discipline required to prepare institutions for challenges beyond their immediate operating environment.
“Boards must look beyond today’s challenges and have the courage, foresight and discipline to build institutions that will stand the test of time,” she stated.
This approach places a premium on forward-looking board oversight. Directors must interrogate business assumptions, monitor emerging risks, evaluate management performance and ensure that succession planning, capital allocation and corporate strategy support institutional resilience.
It also reinforces the importance of board independence and diversity of experience in strengthening deliberations and preventing excessive concentration of decision-making authority. Effective oversight depends on directors who can exercise sound judgement, ask difficult questions and hold management accountable without compromising their fiduciary responsibilities.
Beyond individual companies, stronger corporate governance has implications for the wider Nigerian economy. Transparent and well-governed companies are better positioned to attract long-term investment, deepen capital markets and support the development of a business environment in which capital is allocated with greater confidence.
The collaboration among the NBA-SBL, CloD Nigeria and NGX in convening the colloquium also reflects the importance of a coordinated approach to governance. Legal standards, leadership development, market discipline and professional accountability must work together to translate governance principles into measurable institutional outcomes.
The challenge, therefore, is not simply to establish governance codes or satisfy regulatory expectations, but to embed accountability and ethical conduct in everyday corporate decision-making.
Tinubu expressed optimism about the discussions expected at the colloquium, noting that the demands of contemporary leadership require sustained reflection on how institutions are governed and prepared for the future.
“I look forward to a thought-provoking conversation on what this demands of us as leaders,” she added.
As corporate governance increasingly shapes investor perceptions and institutional credibility, the central question for boards is whether their decisions merely address today’s obligations or build the foundations for tomorrow’s success.
The distinction, ultimately, lies in the ability to translate compliance into a culture of accountability, oversight into strategic value and leadership into lasting institutional strength.
-
Politics3 years ago
13 Ondo Assembly Members Disown Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa
-
Politics3 years ago
APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement
-
Trending News6 years agoStop unsavoury, inciting statements – DSS warns
-
Others5 years agoAdron Homes Celebrates 10 Years Of Housing Excellence
-
Humanity5 years agoPresident Buhari Commiserates With Ambassador Maureen Tamuno Over The Loss Of Her Father
-
Others7 years agoEX- CUSTOMS BOSS, IBRAHIM MERA’S DWINDLING FAME
-
Business3 years agoBigi Carbonated Soft Drinks Treats 40 Consumers to an Epic Easter Movie Hangout
-
Business2 years agoWema Bank Shines at Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024 …Awarded: • SME Financier of the Year (Africa) • Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa)