Businessman and acclaimed banker, Elder U. K. Eke MFR, who is also Charter President of Rotary Club of Banana Island, Lagos, speaks on the impacts of the revered organisation in Nigeria and how the charter he leads has been blessing various strata of the immediate society
Q: Tell us what informed your interest in Rotary International?
A: I needed a credible and global platform to advance my philanthropic engagements and Rotary International ticked all the boxes.
Q: Tell us a bit about Rotary International.
A: Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million people: friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We are committed to solving real problems and have united vision to carry it through. For more than 110 years, Rotarians have used their time, talents, and treasure to take action on sustainable projects. We are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
Q: What are the focus areas?
A: Rotary International identified seven critical areas for focused intervention. Issues that speak to our shared humanity, such that across nations and territories, impact could be felt with no community left behind.
Q: How has this impacted our local communities?
A: Rotary came into Nigeria in 1961 and today there are hundreds of Rotary Clubs in the country. Within the year each club carries out several projects around the above mentioned focus areas in its community. We also partner thought leaders, captains of industry and like minded persons to impact our communities.
Q: How successful has the poliovirus campaign been worldwide and in Nigeria in particular?
A: Extremely successful in Nigeria with wild polio fully eradicated. However, the poliovirus type 2 polio emanating from not-fully immunised communities means we must continue the campaign for immunisations. At the global level, apart from Afghanistan and Pakistan which still have traces of Polio, all other countries are practically polio free. Again, due to human mobility, conflicts and cultural resistance the campaign should not stop.
Q: What has been Rotary’s biggest impact in Nigeria?
A: In partnership with the Federal Government and sub-nationals (states), Rotary has prioritised health, education, water and sanitation, community economic empowerment and then the environment. In specific terms, Clubs across the country have sustained immunisation against polio, executed Maternal and Child health projects, sunk boreholes in communities, given grants to micro/small businesses, provided interest-free loans in support of scaling and planted trees to protect our environment.
Q: Tell us about the Rotary Club of Banana Island?
What is notable about it? What impact has it made to community so far?
A: The Rotary Club of Banana Island (RCBI) was chartered on June 30, 2025. Our current membership is about 25. Remarkably these Rotarians have a shared and infectious commitment to service, giving their time, treasure, talent and ties despite their extremely busy schedules. In less than a year, our impact projects have endeared us to our community. We have provided teaching aids to schools, equipped libraries and laboratories, empowered market men and women through interest free loans, procured medical equipment for 2 hospitals, instituted yearly vocational service awards for exceptional staff of the Banana Island Estate (our host community) revamped and commissioned a Peace Park on the Estate. We have made significant donations to our District 9112 and collaborated with the District in equipping the Epe Vocational centre in addition to providing solar light at the District premises and powering the 2026 World Peace and Understanding Day. We have done projects in the seven focus areas and therefore, in general, our commitment is total.
We are delighted that despite being less than one year, we are one of the strongest donating Club to The Rotary Foundation for the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Q: As Charter President, what are you aspirations?
A: To build a solid foundation for sustainable impact. This will be achieved through deliberately identifying members of our community who will be active Rotarians, ready to serve humanity. We will focus on younger demographics with the right energy and passion. We aspire to have several members become Paul Harris Fellows to showcase our commitment to the ideals of Rotary.
