By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
Rotary International District 9127 has launched an ambitious digital transformation agenda, adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to improve service delivery, strengthen accountability, and expand the organisation’s footprint into seven states where it currently has no clubs.
The newly installed District Governor, Rotarian Sikiru Owonikoko, unveiled the initiative on Wednesday in Abuja, saying the district was embracing innovation to enhance its humanitarian impact and prepare Rotary for the future.
“This is the Rotary we are building: a digitally enabled Rotary, a disciplined Rotary, a future-ready Rotary, a people-centred Rotary, one that honours our traditions while boldly embracing innovation,” Owonikoko said.
He announced that the district had secured a 10-year subscription to an AI-powered platform that would support planning, communication, project monitoring and administrative coordination.
“This is not an experiment. It is a commitment to efficiency, transparency and excellence in the future,” he said.
According to him, all district programmes will be coordinated through a unified digital system to improve efficiency and ensure members receive official information in real time.
“One system, one standard, one direction,” he added.
Beyond technology, Owonikoko said his administration would prioritise membership growth and retention, stressing that sustaining existing members was as important as recruiting new ones.
“Membership growth is important, but membership engagement and retention are essential,” he noted.
He also unveiled plans to establish Rotary clubs in the seven states within District 9127, where the organisation currently has no presence.
“We have had no presence in seven states for too long, and that narrative must change this Rotary year,” he declared.
Calling on members to support the expansion drive, Owonikoko urged every Rotarian to recruit at least one new member.
“There is no Rotarian incapable of bringing one person into Rotary. If each of us brings one person, we will not only double our growth—we will exceed it,” he said.
The district governor pledged to strengthen transparency, financial discipline and adherence to Rotary standards while encouraging greater support for the Rotary Foundation.
“Discipline is not punishment. Discipline is respect for standards. That is what separates intention from excellence,” he said.
Earlier, the immediate past District Governor, Rotarian Princess Dr Joy Okoro, highlighted achievements recorded during the 2025/2026 Rotary year, including $246,501.65 in Rotary Foundation contributions, 93 Paul Harris Fellows, 11 Benefactors and eight Major Donors.
She also listed key humanitarian projects executed during her tenure, including the donation of a $34,000 mammography machine to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna; classroom construction; the provision of school furniture; solar-powered water facilities; and continued support for global polio eradication efforts.
