Mr. Naranbhai G. Patel, industrialist, philanthropist and Paul Harris Fellow, based in Lagos for over 40 years, was dreaming of a Rotary Club at Palm Grove Estate, Lagos. He had a vision for a promising, active and vibrant Club of Businessmen and Professionals. He requested Dr. Deep Mirani, also an industrialist, Philanthropist and Rotarian over 15 years and Paul Harris Fellow, to join hands with him in establishing a new Club at Palm Grove Estate, Lagos.
They began search and recruitment for the club, assisted by Dr. Alexander Thomopulos, a high-calibre and reputable professional and businessman. The then District Governor, Rotn. Somo Omoniyi (2007-2008) appointed Rotn. Dr. Deep Mirani as District Governor's (DG) Special Representative to organise the club, with immense guidance and assistance from Rotn. Dr. M. Oladeinde Shoga of Rotary Club of Gbagada and the DG Nominee. On Sunday 18th May, 2008 the first meeting of the Club took place at No. 1, D'Alberto Road, Palm Grove Estate and was attended by 23 people.
Application was made to Rotary International, through the sponsoring Rotary Club of Victoria Island East, on 28th May 2008 for the membership for the new Club. The Charter was granted on 30th June 2008 and Rotn. Dr. Deep Mirani became the Charter President of the new Club named "ROTARY CLUB OF LAGOS-PALMGROVE ESTATE" and with this, the Rotary Club of Lagos-Palm Grove Estate became the 81st Club in District 9110. The internationality of the Club was pronounced with membership consisting of Nigerians and Indians.
The Charter Presentation Ceremony was held on Saturday 18th October 2008 at The New China Restaurant, Opic Plaza, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos with adequate publicity in the media and was attended by large number of Professionals, Dignitaries, Government Officials, Businessmen, and Rotary Members, etc.
The Rotary Club of Lagos Palm Grove Estate was Chartered on 30th June 2008 by the
Rotary Club of Victoria Island East. The Rotary Club of Lagos-Palm Grove Estate became the 81st Club in District 9110 with Rtn. Dr. Deep Mirani as the Charter President of the Club.
The history of the club will not be complete without the mention of AKS Naranbhai G. Patel MFR an industrialist and philanthropist of blessed memory and Dr. Alexander Thomopulos, a high-calibre and reputable professional and businessman who were instrumental to the setting up of the club.
The Club became the first Mega Club in District 9110 and has grown to a membership strength of 155 persons and holds the position for being the largest club with female members. Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate is well known for its projects which are focused on reaching a large number of persons in the society.
The club is specifically known for its signature project The Mission for Vision which has been done in conjunction with the Indo Eye Care Foundation and has provided free cataract surgeries for over 13 years and has successfully completed over 30,000 surgeries to date.
Other notable projects accredited to the club include:
- Free Health Camps in and around the Lagos Metropolis which provides health care services to persons in the community.
- Project Kids In Need of Desks which provided bench desks to Public Primary Schools
- Project Nora Dreams which provides Sanitary Pads to girl students in schools
- Development of a community based playground to provide recreation spaces for the community and many more projects
The club has since its inception sponsored the Charter of
- 1 Rotary Club: Rotary Club of Lagos Island
- 3 Rotaract Clubs: Rotaract Clubs of Lagos Palmgrove Estate, Lagos State School of Health Sciences (LASCOHET) and Orile Agege
- 5 Interact Clubs
- 1 Rota Kids Club