By Aminat Jubril
The Rotary Club of Egbeda, District 9111 Nigeria, has inaugurated legal practitioner and Notary Public, Barrister Ejide Lawal, as its 24th President.
At the event over the weekend, the new administration also announced ambitious humanitarian projects and programmes’ priority valued at about ₦20 million.
Lawal, the Principal Partner of Ejide Lawal & Co., was formally installed at a colourful ceremony held at Ademoj Hall on Isheri-Igando Road, Lagos, where she took over leadership from the immediate past President, Princess Oluwatosintoyin Adejimi.
Having joined the organisation seven years ago, Ejide’s emergence further strengthens the growing leadership role of women within the club as she become the fourth female President in its history.
For years, the presidency of the humanitarian organisation was occupied exclusively by men until Rotarian Esther Nwamma broke the barrier as the club’s first female President. Her administration earned Rotary International’s Presidential Citation Award for outstanding performance.
Since then, women have continued to make significant leadership inroads, with Yetunde Masaku, Princess Oluwatosintosin Adejimi and now Barrister Ejide Lawal leading the club. The next President-elect that will takeover from Ejide is Alhaja Yinka Shodimu, a real estate developer and investor.
Speaking shortly after her induction, Lawal expressed gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to consolidate on the achievements of previous administrations.
“It is with great joy and a profound sense of responsibility that I accept the mantle of leadership as President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda. I am deeply humbled by the trust you have placed in me,” she said.
She disclosed that the administration’s flagship project would be the remodelling and completion of the club’s Vocational Development Centre at Royal Estate, Iyana-Odo, Isheri-Igando.
According to her, the facility will provide vocational training, mentorship and leadership development for young people, equipping them with practical skills for self-reliance.
Lawal also announced plans to equip public primary healthcare centres within the club’s jurisdiction with medical equipment and essential healthcare materials to improve access to quality healthcare at the grassroots.
She appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and public-spirited individuals to partner with the club in delivering the projects.
“Our interventions cannot succeed without partnerships.
We invite organisations and individuals who share our passion for humanitarian service to join us in transforming lives and strengthening our communities,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary District 9111, Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi, called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and humanitarian organisations to tackle maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
He commended the club for prioritising primary healthcare, describing the initiative as consistent with Rotary International’s global intervention areas.
“The decision to support primary healthcare centres and community health workers is commendable. It aligns with global best practices for improving maternal and child health outcomes. Greater collaboration will enable us to reach more vulnerable communities,” Kukoyi said.
The guest speaker also invited guests to join the organisation, saying Rotary’s world is God’s work.
In her valedictory speech, the immediate past President, Adejimi, reflected on a successful tenure marked by youth development and membership expansion.
She identified the establishment of an Interact Club at Great Michael Comprehensive College as one of the administration’s major achievements, saying the initiative was designed to nurture future leaders through service and integrity.
Adejimi also highlighted the successful sponsorship and chartering of the Rotary Club of Isheri-Olofin Midtown, describing it as a strategic step towards expanding Rotary’s humanitarian impact and extending community service to more people across Lagos.
The installation ceremony attracted Rotarians, traditional rulers, captains of industry, professionals, family members and friends, who pledged continued support for the club’s humanitarian mission.