Polio can return in 10 years if vaccination stops, Rotary President

Rotary International President Yinka Babalola is prioritizing "Create lasting impact" during his leadership year, aiming to showcase Rotary as more than just a service organization but a life-changing experience for its members.

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My goal is to show the world that Rotary is more than a service organisation. It’s not just about what we do for others. It is a life-changing experience because being a member of Rotary inspires personal growth, just as much as community impact.

Babalola outlined Rotary's key areas of focus, including community development, economic empowerment, basic education, water, and sanitation. He urged local Rotary clubs worldwide to identify and address the specific needs within their communities, leveraging their international connections and expertise to bring in resources beyond just financial aid.

Examples of Rotary's work include building and supporting schools, improving educational resources, and promoting literacy through initiatives like spelling bees. In Nigeria, clubs are also providing vocational training programs to equip individuals with skills for self-sufficiency. In Ghana, youth are being taught coding. Babalola noted that these efforts are tailored to local needs, demonstrating Rotary's commitment to tangible, community-driven change.

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Every Rotary club, wherever they are located, tries to do something in these areas of focus. We have asked Rotary clubs to look into their communities, look at what the community needs, and try to see how they can intervene.

While acknowledging Rotary's significant role in the global fight against polio, Babalola also pointed to the organization's broader humanitarian efforts. He stressed that Rotary's vision is to see a world where people unite to create lasting change, not only in communities but also within themselves, fostering personal growth alongside global impact.

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And not just intervening with the resources available to them; we can also use our connections, leverage our internationality to bring in resources, which is not just about money. Sometimes it’s about expertise and knowledge because the person who is more knowledgeable about something may not be present in a particular community.