Historic, Rotary Club of Ota holds fellowship on moving NRC train

Historic, Rotary Club of Ota holds fellowship on moving NRC train

 

The Rotary Club of Ota has set a national precedent by hosting Nigeria’s first-ever Rotary fellowship aboard a moving train, marking a unique blend of innovation, service and strategic partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The historic fellowship, held on February 28, 2026, brought together members of the club for leadership interaction, networking and discussions focused on humanitarian service, climate action and sustainable community development — all while in transit.

Leading the event was the President of the Rotary Club of Ota, Mr. Charles Umukoro, alongside members of the club’s executive and general membership.

Key officers present are Vice President Bisi Seleso, Pioneer President Olumide Adebiyi, Treasurer Olumide Omotola, President-Elect Fatai Wasi, and the club’s doyen and the oldest serving member, Dr. Kele Abolaji.

The unconventional setting underscored Rotary’s drive to reimagine fellowship and civic engagement.

Participants described the moving-train gathering as symbolic of progress and forward momentum — values closely aligned with the transformation agenda of the NRC.

A major highlight of the occasion was the visit of the Railway District Manager, Engr. Rasheed Adedeji, who welcomed the Rotarians on board.

His presence added institutional weight to the event and reinforced the growing collaboration between the railway management and the civic organisation.

In a symbolic gesture reflecting shared values of service and partnership, Engr. Adedeji was formally inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Ota following his welcome address.

The induction was widely seen as a step toward deepening institutional cooperation between the club and the railway corporation.

Beyond its novelty, the fellowship also carried a strong environmental message. As part of its climate action agenda, the Rotary Club of Ota commenced a large-scale tree-planting exercise on the same day, aimed at contributing to climate change mitigation and environmental protection within its host communities.

Club leaders said the initiative aligns with Rotary International’s growing emphasis on environmental sustainability as a core area of focus.

By combining an innovative fellowship format with tangible environmental action, the club sought to demonstrate that civic organisations can creatively advance impact-driven programmes.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, which hosted the event, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote national development, environmental sustainability and community advancement.

The corporation also highlighted the railway system as a safe, modern and strategic platform for engagement and national integration.

The development was contained in a statement signed by Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer, for the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

With the landmark moving-train fellowship and the launch of its environmental intervention, the Rotary Club of Ota has positioned itself as a trailblazer within Nigeria’s civic space — proving that service to humanity can, quite literally, remain on the move.