By Shakirudeen Bankole
Barrister Ejide Lawal, a notary public and Princilal Partner, Ejide Lawal & Co, has been inducted as the 24th (and 4th female) President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda, District 9111 Nigeria.
From what appeared to be the sustenance of the shattering of the Male dominance on the leadership of the club since inception, Ejide took over mantle of leadership of the club from Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejimi, an entrepreneur whom members excellent leadership.
Ejide herself would be handing over the position to Alhaja Yinka Shodimu, a Real Estate Developer and Investor.
Previously, the leadership of the international humanitarian organisation has been dominated by men until seven years ago when Rotarian Esther Nwamma, an Accountant and Serial Entrepreneur, broke the jinx to become the first female president of the club.
While Nwamma went on to deliver sterling performance, winning Rotary International’s Presidential Citation Award, a performance award issued by the global body, her tenure was later succeeded by four more consecutive cycle of leadership led by male helmsmen until Rotarian Yetunde Masaku, an educationist, and Oluwatoyintosin, successively got elected thereafter and untill the current transition to Ejide.
The installation proceeding held yesterday in Lagos was conducted amid glitz and glamour, as the removal of collarette, the insignia of office from Oluwatoyintosin’s neck, was done before being draped into the incumbent President’s.
In her acceptance speech, Ejide said it was her utmost honour to be trusted to lead the group of professionals and business men and women who are united in service to humanity.
“It is with great joy and a profound sense of responsibility that I officially accept the mantle of leadership to serve as the President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda for the rotary year. I am deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in me,” she said.
According to her, the priority focus for her 12-month tenure would revolve around raising fund for the remodeled “construction of our Vocational Development Center at Royal Estate, Iyana-Odo, Isheri-Igando, Lagos. Doing so would enable us to build, equip and operate a modern institution of learning, where skills, mentorship and leadership skills would be thought and learned.
“Also, we will be equipping Public Primary Healthcare Center located within our jurisdiction with medical equipment, care items, among other projects. We have budgeted roughly N20Million for these activities and others focusing on basic education and literacy, maternal mortality, hygiene water, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and environmental improvement.
“Therefore, we solicit partnerships and financial supports to achieve these lofty ideas,” she pleaded.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi, a Medical Surgeon and the Immediate Past Governor of Rotary District 9111, advocated for greater collaboration for maternal mortality intervention.
He said it was important for all stakeholders to partner with government and reputable humanitarian organisations to invest in efforts that will exacerbate, mitigate and prevent maternal and child mortality crisis in the country.
“It is impressive that the Club President has taken the bold step in her announcement, revealing the plans to equip primary healthcare hospitals and partner local healthcare workers on how to improcess access to healthcare services at the local level. It is one of the recommendations of the World Health Organisations, which Rotary International is championing around the world. We therefore call for me deeper collaborations and partnerships to achieve and reach more communities and people,” he added.
In her valedictory speech, the immediate past president of the club recalled the highest points of her tenure, as she thanked members and supporters who supported her during the journey.
According to her, “one of the remarkable achievements we recorded was the chartering of a new Interact Club at Great Michael Comprehensive College. Through this initiative, we have helped to nurture young leaders to the values of service, leadership, integrity, and community engagement.
“We also had the privilege of sponsoring and supporting the formation of a new Rotary club, the Rotary Club of Isheri-Olofin Midtown, thereby expanding the membership base and the opportunity to serve more people and communities through our various public-focused interventions,” Adejimi said.
