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The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, IYFR, Nigerian Fleet was inaugurated on Saturday Aug 16, 2025. Speaking during the ceremony, the Nigerian Fleet commodore, Rotarian Jumoke Bamigboye promised to selflessly serve the Fleet to achieve fellowship goals and foster greater community services.
The inauguration which took place at the Swiss Hotel, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, was conducted by Commodore Sunny Akuopha, the Africa Regional Commodore for the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, who gave a brief history of how the Yachting Fellowship. According to him, the IYFR was created in 1947 by Rotarian John Barret from the Brixton Rotary Club in the United Kingdom.
Explaining that, Rotarian Barret had the idea of hoisting a Rotary emblem on his yacht’s masthead, which he later shared with Rotarian friends and they agreed to start a yachting club that was subsequently approved by Rotary international, saying, “the IYFR is the first recreational fellowship within Rotary International and by 1956 Bob Stuart of Chicago, became the first international Commodore from outside Great Britain.
“In West Africa, we have about eight countries that are fleet countries and Nigeria has joined today, becoming the ninth one, I would therefore encourage the fleet, especially in respect to their project of clearing plastic from waterways; to engage in the mobilization for funds, mobilize public awareness against plastic waste, pollution and to encourage recycling,” Akuopha said.
Commodore Jumoke Bamigboye in her inaugural speech declared that the responsibility entrusted to her as the Commodore of the Nigeria Fleet has awakened in her a gust of renewed commitment to shared goals, expressing her gratitude for the trust placed in her and the great honour of being given such an opportunity to serve.
In her words, “Our vision for the future is one of progress, innovation, and collaboration. We will work tirelessly to achieve our goal of changing our communities through improved services and enhanced community engagement. I believe that by working together we can achieve great things.
“Today is a day of celebration for our fellowship, to honour our rich history and traditions while glimpsing at the future with confidence and hope. It is a day of reflection about the great Rotary values of integrity, service, leadership, and the traditions that have brought us to this point.” She said.
Adding, “Today we begin a new chapter and I have the singular privilege of becoming part of our history while forging a path to our future. I acknowledge and accept the leadership of this great fleet of us with deep gratitude. You’ve entrusted me with this leadership role and I embrace it with
eagerness.”
Commodore Jumoke revealed that the first project of the Nigeria Fleet is ‘operation zero plastic on our waterways’, aimed at combating plastic pollution in
waterways, which she said requires a multifaceted approach that will involve reducing plastic consumption,
improving waste management, and implementing innovative technologies for removal and cleanup.
She stressed that it will also involve individual actions like using reusable bags and bottles, supporting
businesses that minimize packaging, and participating in cleanups alongside larger scale efforts like river interception systems and advanced filtration techniques, saying, “all of this requires our commitment financially and physically. We call on well-spirited members of the public and organizations to join us, partner with us, and support us in our quest to stop this environmental crisis. We must educate our communities to stop throwing plastic bottles in water tanks and oceans.”
Past District Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu, who Chairs the Inauguration ceremony said Rotary gives platform for people with diverse interests to group together and be able to fellowship together, like yachting, involving those who like going to the sea on their yachts.
Rotarian Akeredolu added, “once it is inaugurated, the membership will increase exponentially and will be one of the favorite fellowships of Rotarians in Lagos, I therefore advise the members to try and publicize the fellowship well
enough. And I have seen they are already doing that, going around the clubs in the district and letting them know of the existence of this fellowship.
“They equally have monthly meetings and very soon, we will be seeing them actually going on yachting trips, which many consider as elitist, but you can actually just hire a yacht and go on the sea, it is one of the most pleasurable experiences you can imagine and Rotary will give you the platform to have that through this new fellowship.” He asserted.
The colourful inauguration ceremony had about 25 Rotarians from different part of the country decorated with deck epaulettes and pins with certificates of induction given to each of the inductees.
Part of the dignitaries who attended the inauguration include; Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye (Rtd.) who served as Military Administrator of Bauchi State and then Osun State, Rear Admiral Ezekiel Abolarin (Rtd.), Mrs. Cathy Attiogbe and others.