Rotary International President Elect Celebrates Rtn. Queen Diete-Spiff In Florida
History was recently made in the administration of the Rotary International, as a Nigerian, Rotarian
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans- Amadi, Nigeria, was elected as the President of Rotary International for the year, 2026-2027.
According to a report from the Rotary International, the President-elect, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola is expected to assume office on 1st of July, 2026, and will serve a one-year term.
He has been a Rotarian since 1984 and has held various leadership roles, including District Governor and Rotarian International (RI) Vice President. He is also a recipient of several awards, such as: “The Africa Centennial Heroes Award” and the RI Service Above Self Award,” among others.
The President-elect, Babalola on the assumption of office, will become the second African to lead Rotary International, following Jonathan B. Majiyagbe, who served in 2003-2004.
His Presidential Theme is “Create Lasting Impact,” which is aimed at promoting peace, supporting education, fighting disease, and improving maternal and child health; as well as
making Rotary Clubs more welcoming and impactful.
However, the Rotary International Assembly which was held in Orlando, Florida, USA; provided an opportunity for the President-elect, to celebrate Her Majesty, Queen Dr. Josephine Diete-Spiff on her birthday.
It may interest you to know that the Rotary International Assembly was a gathering of Rotarian leaders from all over the world.
While Speaking to a cross section of reporters in Houston USA, the celebrant, Her Majesty, Queen Dr. Josephine Diete-Spiff said: “It was a surprise celebration by the President-elect, who is a Nigerian. The 2nd since the Rotary Foundation was founded over 110 years ago.
“Rotary is in over 200 countries in the world. It shows that Rotary is a family anywhere, that though I was not at home, I still felt at home with my friends at the Rotary International Assembly.
“Let me commend Rotary International for the honour done to the President-elect, Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, while urging him to continue to work in tandem with core mandate of the RI, which is hinged on “Service Above Self,” the Niger Delta Queen stated.
Recall that Her Majesty Queen Dr. Josephine Diete-Spiff, wife of the former governor of old Rivers State, His Eminence King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Twon Brass Kingdom in Bayelsa State, has been a member of Rotary Club since 2019, as well as a member of Rotary Club of Trans-Amadi, PortHarcourt, Nigeria with the Rotary International President-elect, Rotarian Olayinka Hakeem Babalola.
