L-R: Elijah Oluwanisomo Omoniyi, Club Doyen and District Governor, Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria; Demola Igbalajobi, Chairman, Investiture Committee; Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, Chairman, Agege LGA; Abiola Ogundeji, President, Rotary Club of Agege; Mrs. Bukola Olabisi Bakare, DG, Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria; and Olufemi Ogungbemi, Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Agege; at the Evolution Investiture Ceremony of the 43rd President of Rotary Club of Agege, held recently in Lagos.
The Rotary Club of Agege installed Rotarian Abiola Ogundeji as its 43rd President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, at its Investiture and Fundraising Ceremony held recently in Ikeja, Lagos, where the club secured more than ₦750 million in commitments towards an educational and welfare endowment fund, a vocational and digital skills training centre, and land acquisition for its flagship humanitarian project.
The ceremony, themed “Evolution,” also marked the beginning of Ogundeji’s administration, which is targeting at least 5,000 direct beneficiaries through vocational skills development, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects, and expanded malaria intervention efforts during the year.
A multimedia and broadcast technology consultant and Concept Director at Highway Systems ABS Limited, Ogundeji was formally inducted by Mrs Bukola Olabisi Bakare, District Governor, Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria.
He joined the Rotary Club of Agege in 2021 and has previously served as Membership Chair and on the club’s District Conference Planning Committee.
Presenting his priorities for the year, Ogundeji said, “We plan to retain our membership, grow our membership, and expand our membership by chartering new clubs so Rotary can reach our communities better than ever before. From the blueprint my team and I have created, we are targeting no fewer than 5,000 direct beneficiaries this Rotary year through our vocational skills centre, water, sanitation and hygiene projects, and expanded malaria intervention efforts.”
President Elect (2027-28) Demola Igbalajobi and Chairman of the Investiture Committee said the ceremony was designed not only to mark the transition in leadership but also to mobilise resources for the club’s flagship vocational and digital skills training centre.
“Today, we gather not only to celebrate the emergence of a new leader of our great club, but to also reaffirm our collective commitment to service above self. More importantly, we are here to raise substantial funds that will enable us to deliver sustainable, high-impact projects that create lasting change in the lives of people within our communities,” he remarked.
The major fundraising commitment came from the DSE Foundation, which pledged approximately ₦690 million towards three initiatives of the Rotary Club of Agege. The commitment was announced on behalf of the Foundation’s Chairman and Founder, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, by his representative at the ceremony – Past Assistant Governor Bala Yesufu. Rotary Agege Past President Rotarian Wale Adebiyi also announced a personal donation of ₦10 million towards the club’s projects.
“This announcement should not be read as a mere commitment; it is an expression of confidence in Rotary, in the leadership of the Rotary Club of Agege, and in the capacity of committed people to transform communities. When Rotary’s network, credibility and volunteer spirit are combined with the DSC Foundation’s resources and commitment to impactful interventions, the greatest beneficiaries will be the people of Agege,” he said.
The proposed vocational and digital skills training centre is one of the administration’s major priorities, with stakeholders highlighting its potential to equip young people and women with practical skills for economic independence.
District Governor Mrs Bukola Olabisi Bakare commended the club’s fundraising achievement and said the proposed centre reflected Rotary’s commitment to projects capable of creating lasting community impact. She noted that: “What do we stand for as Rotarians? We stand for impactful service to our community. The Rotary International President has charged every Rotarian to create lasting impact, and that is exactly what this club is doing by building a vocational centre that will continue to train people in vocational skills, impactful and sustainable service to the community.”
The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, also welcomed the project, linking it to the local government’s efforts to expand opportunities for young people. He remarked that, “The project that is most passionate to me is the skills acquisition centre. We have to prepare the next generation, and I can see that the Rotary Club is keying into one of the things we intend to achieve over the next couple of years. We want to change the narrative around Agege to show that our young people can be productive and do something meaningful for our community, our state and our country.”
The “Evolution” theme reflects the club’s intention to build on its history while strengthening membership, leadership and community service. The new administration will build on the previous Rotary year, during which the club recorded 15 per cent membership growth, chartered a new Interact Club and launched a new official website. Its Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) project was also showcased at the Rotary International Convention in Taipei.
With more than ₦750 million pledged towards its humanitarian priorities and a target of reaching 5,000 direct beneficiaries, Ogundeji said, “This year’s task is more than activities it is a call for unity and passion. Our leadership promise is simple: to deepen our impact in Agege through practical projects, strengthen member engagement and growth, and uphold the Rotary values of integrity, fellowship and service above self.”