Rotary Club of Ikeja Installs 58th President, Rtn. Kuburat Lawal, Amidst Calls for Scaled Impact and Inclusivity
It was an evening filled with glitz and emotional charge at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, as the Rotary Club of Ikeja formally installed Rotarian Kuburat Lawal as its 58th President. The ceremony, attended by Rotarians, dignitaries, alumni groups, public servants, and stakeholders in the development space, underscored the club’s unwavering commitment to service and social impact.
Rtn. Kuburat Lawal, a Director in the Lagos State Public Service made history as the second female to lead the club in its 58-year history, succeeding in an era marked by increased advocacy for gender equity and leadership inclusivity. Her investiture speech traced a remarkable journey that began in 1989 at the Rotaract Club of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), evolving into a distinguished Rotary career featuring numerous leadership roles and philanthropic milestones.
“Every responsibility I’ve undertaken – whether as Treasurer, Director, Rotary Foundation Chair, or Class Captain – has been shaped by a collective vision for impact,” she said. “This new Rotary Year is a fresh opportunity for deeper community engagement, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth.”
She highlighted projects such as the construction of a vocational training centre, ongoing support for maternal and child health, and youth development initiatives as key areas of focus. The centre, which is to be equipped with tools for trades such as hairdressing, fashion design, electrical installation, and catering, symbolizes Rotary’s ethos of empowerment through skill-building.
Outgoing President Situ: “Rotary is a Continuum”
Earlier, in a warm and reflective welcome address, the 57th President, Rotarian Kayode Situ, reminded guests of the unbroken chain of service that defines Rotary.
“Some of you may be asking, what is new? What is new is not necessarily new. What remains constant is that Rotary is a continuum,” he said. “Every year, a president comes, serves, and passes the torch. Today, I hand over to our 58th president, who I’m proud to say is already building on existing legacies.”
Rotn. Situ highlighted one such legacy – the construction of a vocational centre at Ikeja Junior High School during his tenure. Though still awaiting full equipment, he expressed delight that President Lawal had committed to completing and equipping it with tools for trades like fashion design, plumbing, catering, and more.
“This is what we call Rotary – service that grows from one leader to the next,” he added. He went on to highlight the club’s longstanding support for Ikeja Junior High School, which has benefitted from over 30 years of consistent Rotary intervention. “It’s not the typical Lagos State school anymore. We’ve transformed it, and we’re proud.”
He also acknowledged the constant need for support, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with well-wishers and friends of Rotary.
“We give our time, talent, and money. But we can’t do it alone. We invite you – friends of Rotary – to join us, support us. We are only custodians of the blessings we have, and we must use them to uplift our neighbors and society.”
“A Time to Scale, Not Stall” – Guest Speaker Urges Rotary to Reinvent Its Global Influence
In a compelling keynote, Olaniyi Yusuf, Managing Partner at Verraki Partners and Guest Speaker at the event, called on Rotary Clubs across Nigeria to scale their vision and reimagine their approach to societal transformation. Citing Nigeria’s youthful demographics and ongoing economic transitions, Yusuf noted the urgent need for Rotary to sharpen its focus.
“Rotary succeeded in eradicating polio because it had a clear, unifying vision. The question now is – what’s the next big thing Rotary wants to kick out of Africa?” he challenged. “Is it poverty, illiteracy, maternal mortality? Let that vision be clear.”
He outlined five core areas for transformation: vision clarity, operational scale, membership growth, scaling outcomes beyond grants, and self-care for Rotarians. According to Yusuf, less than 0.5% of Nigerians earn over ₦1 million monthly – a segment with potential for Rotary membership expansion. He also noted that over 90% of Nigerians lack health insurance, with 67% paying healthcare costs out of pocket – issues Rotary could address through catalytic investments.
District Governor Affirms Support, Invites Broader Participation
District Governor for Rotary District 9111, Rotarian Henry, congratulated Rtn. Lawal on her investiture, expressing confidence in her capacity to elevate the club’s impact during the 2025–2026 Rotary Year.
“I know the office comes with many obligations, but I believe you are fully capable of leading this club to greater heights,” he affirmed. While urging members to support the new president, he also made an appeal to guests and well-wishers.
“Rotary has been changing lives for over 120 years. We need more hands to continue this work. If you cannot join us directly, please support the Rotary Foundation, one of the world’s most trusted charities. Be rest assured that the money you put into the foundation is going to be spent on what it is meant for.”
RCI_21: New President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Kuburat Lawal (fourth right); her predecessor, Rotarian Kayode Situ (right) and other board members during the investiture of Rotarian Lawal as the 58th President of the Club, held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Sunday, 27th July 2025.
A Celebration of Service and Sisterhood
The event was punctuated with warmth, laughter, and gratitude. Rtn. Lawal took time to acknowledge her husband, family, alumni from Lagos State Polytechnic and Obafemi Awolowo University, and professional colleagues for their support. Her story of dedication, humility, and leadership drew admiration from many in attendance.
Her investiture not only marks a symbolic leap for gender representation but also renews Rotary’s call to action amid Nigeria’s complex development challenges.
As Rotarians exchanged pins, pleasantries, and pledges of service, the message was clear – Rotary is not resting on its laurels. It is scaling its purpose, embracing new partnerships, and continuing its mission to create lasting change in Ikeja and beyond.
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