LOWER MARGIBI COUNTY, LIBERIA-The Rotary Club International has unveiled a symbolic Rotary Wheel at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), using the installation to showcase the organization’s principles of service, integrity, fellowship, and commitment to humanity to visitors arriving in and departing Liberia.

The Rotary Wheel, which now stands at the country’s main international gateway, carries important meanings that reflect the organization’s values and the responsibilities of its members.

Its public display is also intended to make Rotary more visible and encourage greater interest in its humanitarian activities.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony Friday, November 13, 2026, the President of the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Robert Smallwood, explained that the 24 gear teeth on the wheel represent the 24 hours of the day, reminding Rotarians that their commitment to service and the organization’s values must be upheld at all times.

Smallwood said:” The wheel’s six spokes symbolize the pathways of vocational service and the distribution of Rotary values, while the key at its center represents the responsibility of every Rotarian to demonstrate those principles through thoughts and actions”.

He noted that the gold color symbolizes Rotary’s dedication to serving humanity.

He added that the installation would also serve as a reminder of Rotary’s Four-Way Test, which challenges members to consider whether their thoughts, words and actions are truthful, fair, beneficial to all concerned, and capable of building goodwill and better friendships.

For his part, the District Governor of Rotary International, Baidy Dieng, said:” Placing the Rotary symbol at the airport is a strategic way of introducing the organization to a wider audience, and encouraging more people to become part of its humanitarian work”.

Dieng described the Rotary Wheel as a symbol of recognition and openness, emphasizing that the organization welcomes individuals who are willing to contribute to improving the lives of people in local communities.

He said:” The public display could also strengthen connections between Liberian Rotarians and the organization’s approximately 1.4 million members worldwide, creating opportunities for international partnerships, funding and technical support for community-based projects in Liberia”.

Dieng, who is visiting Liberia from Senegal, said:” My visit is also intended to assess the activities of local Rotary clubs, encourage membership growth and promote partnerships with non-governmental organizations and technical institutions to make humanitarian interventions more effective”.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Rotarians from across Liberia.