Barrister Lawal Ejide, a Notary Public and Principal Partner at Ejide Lawal & Co., has been installed as the 24th President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria.
Elected as the fourth female President of the club Ejide’s emergence has further reinforced the gradual rise of the women folks into the leadership of the club.
Ejide took over the mantle of leadership from Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejinmi, an entrepreneur and logistics practitioner, who had just completed a successful tenure as the president of Rotary Club.
Interestingly, at the end of Ejide’s tenure mid nexduear , she is expected to hand over to Alhaja Yinka Shodimu, a real estate developer and investor, another woman.
The sequence is quite symbolic as the leadership of the humanitarian organisation had beed previously dominated by men until Rotarian Esther Nwamma, an accountant and serial entrepreneur, became the first female President of the club seven years ago.
Nwamma went on to deliver an outstanding performance, earning Rotary International’s Presidential Citation, one of the organisation’s highest performance recognitions.
After her tenure, the club returned to male leadership for four consecutive administrations before Rotarian Yetunde Masaku, an educationist, and Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejinmi were elected in succession, leading to the emergence of Ejide as the current President.
The installation ceremony, held on Saturday at Ademoj Hall, Isheri Igando Road, Lagos, attracted Rotarians, dignitaries, family members and friends. One of the major highlights was the formal transfer of the collar of office from the outgoing President to the new President.
In her acceptance speech, Ejide described her election as a great honour and pledged to lead with commitment, integrity and selfless service.
“It is with great joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the mantle of leadership as President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda for this Rotary year. I am sincerely humbled by the confidence reposed in me,” she said.
She disclosed that the major focus of her administration would be raising funds for the completion of the club’s Vocational Development Centre at Royal Estate, Iyana Odo, Isheri Igando, Lagos.
According to her, the project is aimed at building, equipping and operating a modern vocational centre where young people can acquire practical skills, receive mentorship and develop leadership qualities.
She also announced plans to equip public primary healthcare centres within the club’s area of service with medical equipment and other essential healthcare materials.
“We have budgeted about N20 million for these projects, as well as other interventions in basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, water, sanitation and hygiene, peacebuilding, conflict resolution and environmental sustainability.
“We therefore appeal to individuals, corporate organisations and development partners to support us financially and through partnerships to achieve these goals,” she said.
The Guest Speaker, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, a medical practitioner and Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary District 9111, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
He said governments, humanitarian organisations, healthcare professionals and the private sector must work together to improve access to quality healthcare services, particularly at the grassroots.
“It is commendable that the new President has prioritised the strengthening of primary healthcare centres through the provision of medical equipment and collaboration with local healthcare workers. This aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and Rotary International’s commitment to improving maternal and child health across the world.
“We therefore call for stronger partnerships that will enable us to reach more communities and save more lives,” he said.
In her valedictory speech, the immediate past President, Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejinmi, expressed appreciation to members and partners for their support throughout her tenure.
She identified the chartering of a new Interact Club at Great Michael Comprehensive College as one of the major achievements of her administration.
“Through this initiative, we have helped to nurture young leaders and instill in them the values of service, leadership, integrity and community engagement.
“We also sponsored the establishment of the Rotary Club of Isheri Olofin Midtown, thereby expanding Rotary’s presence and creating more opportunities to serve communities through impactful humanitarian projects,” she said.
