The President of the Rotary Club of Ikeja, Olanrewaju Lawal, explains how her one-year tenure will focus on skills development, youth empowerment, job creation, and expanding access to leadership opportunities for women in this interview with JUSTICE OKAMGBA
Can you briefly share your Rotary journey?
My Rotary journey started back in my university days. I was a Rotaractor at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. Even at that young age, we were already introduced to the concept of service to humanity. Despite having very limited resources, just our pocket money and small allowances, we pooled funds together to carry out impactful projects within our communities.
As rotaractors, we connected, supported one another, and ran initiatives that made real differences. We focused particularly on community service projects, especially those aimed at sensitising people on leadership and related issues. That experience built a foundation of service in me.
Fast forward to many years later, Rotary found me again. It was in 2015, during Christmas, that I came into contact with the Rotary Club of Ikeja. The club had (and still does) a tradition of visiting the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to empathise with patients and appreciate healthcare workers who had excelled during the year.
At the time, I was serving as director of finance at LASUTH. As part of hospital management, I was part of the team that received the Rotary entourage and took them round the hospital wards. That visit re-awakened my memories of service as a Rotaractor. I felt strongly that it was time to return to Rotary. That was the moment I decided to join.
Rotary is not just about projects; it is a training ground for leaders. It places you in roles that help you develop leadership skills. You get the opportunity to interact with people who have made significant marks in their respective professions and learn from them. That has been my journey so far, and I consider it a privilege to lead the Rotary Club of Ikeja today.
What fresh ideas or signature projects do you plan to implement during your tenure?
Service to humanity is a continuous process. The last President did a remarkable job. For example, the club donated a vocational training building to Ikeja Junior High School. However, the building is not yet functional because it lacks equipment and furniture.
This year, our priority is to equip and furnish that building, making it fully operational. We plan to install equipment that will support various vocational skills such as tailoring, fashion design, painting, barbing, shoemaking, and electrical works. These are trades that people can actually use to sustain themselves if they don’t secure formal white-collar jobs.
We’re thinking long term. By the time students graduate from secondary school, they will already have marketable skills. Even while at university, they can generate income through these vocations, supporting both their education and their families.
We hope this project will birth job creators, not just job seekers, helping to reduce unemployment in the long run. It also allows these young people to give back to their communities as they grow.
Additionally, we are committed to supporting economic growth and improving livelihoods through these kinds of initiatives. Beyond that, we have other projects lined up, including the provision of potable water to communities during Rotary’s water and sanitation month.
Rotary International has seven areas of focus, and we design our projects around them. For instance, during maternal and child health month, we visited a community and held interactive sessions with mothers on how to take better care of their children. We also donated baby formulas and other baby items to support these families. The community came out in large numbers, and it was clear that the project, which took place at Primary Health Centre, Ojodu, was well received. The joy you get from such acts of service is not something you can buy; it is deeply fulfilling.
Can you elaborate on the empowerment project for traders and your partnership with the vocational training centre?
At the beginning of this rotary year, in July (this month), we partnered with market men and women in Obada, Isolo, where we empowered 40 traders through a micro-credit scheme. Each person received funds under the Microcredit Scheme. The beneficiaries are expected to use the funds to boost their businesses and repay the loan after a stipulated period, and then the funds will be given to another set of people.
So far, we have disbursed over N2m, and we have seen a good response from the beneficiaries. At the same time, we partnered with NAFOWA, a vocational training centre, and we donated equipment to support their graduates. The items donated included sewing machines, cookers, and hairdressing tools. These materials will help at least 10 people establish their own businesses or expand their existing ventures. We’ve already handed the equipment over to the head of the institution.
Your tenure is for one year?
Yes. My term started on July 1, 2025, and will run until June 30, 2026.
You are the second female president in the club’s history. Is gender balance a focus for you, given the club’s male dominance in the past?
Yes, I am the second female president in the history of the Rotary Club of Ikeja. In the past, Rotary was perceived as male-dominated, but that narrative is changing. We now have more women stepping into leadership roles, and that’s a very welcome development.
Women bring a unique approach to service. We tend to be more collaborative, attentive to detail, and proactive in ensuring inclusiveness. Bringing more women into the club has increased its vibrancy. Our male colleagues have also been very supportive, and that has made the experience even more enriching. I am confident that after my tenure, we will see more women coming forward to lead the club. It is an exciting time for us.
What plans do you have to take the club to the next level?
We recently held a strategic retreat where we examined the club’s structure and identified key areas for improvement. Our goal is not just to maintain our status as a leading club in the district but to innovate continuously and reaffirm our position as number one.
One of our plans is to relocate our weekly meetings to another venue that can accommodate more people and offer a better experience. We are also reviewing our meeting times to ensure they work for both existing and prospective members. People have professional commitments and need flexible schedules to participate fully in Rotary.
We are working on improving our virtual engagement as well. Some of our members travel frequently, but we want them to participate in meetings remotely. Improving the club’s online experience is key to increasing visibility and ensuring consistent fellowship.
What makes the Rotary Club of Ikeja stand out from other clubs in the district?
The Rotary Club of Ikeja is unique. It is a club with a distinct brand and class. When you interact with us, you cannot fail to notice the Ikeja spirit. Our members are deeply committed. When a person takes on an assignment, they see it through. That’s the tradition of our club. We don’t just do Rotary for the sake of it; we do it with dedication and excellence.
At Ikeja, we train and develop leaders. It’s a nurturing environment where you are groomed to lead not just within Rotary but in every aspect of life. Our members stand out in their professions and in their communities because of the leadership skills they acquire here.
The club also has accomplished individuals and eminent Nigerians like Past District Governor Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; the Osile of Oke Ona, Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, also a Past District Governor; Past President Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; Past President Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; Past Assistant Governors Samuel Bolarinde and Olabintan Famutimi; and a host of others as members.
A year may seem short. Do you have a legacy you want to leave behind?
Legacy is fundamental in Ikeja. Rotary is a continuous engagement. My goal is to sustain the very good legacy built by those who came before me. I will do my best to uphold and improve upon what we have, and when it is time to hand over, I hope to pass on a stronger club to those coming after me.
How do you intend to encourage more members to participate actively?
We have introduced a shadow system. New members are attached to directors in the club to understudy them. They learn directly from these leaders by participating in their activities.
Shadow directors can represent actual directors when needed except for voting. This approach helps build leadership capacity and ensures continuity. We also organise regular training sessions, bringing in facilitators who can deliver targeted leadership development.
Every Rotary Club of Ikeja fellowship meeting contains an element of training. You cannot attend without learning something new. Human capital development is a key part of our activities.
What challenges does the club face?
Like most organisations, funding is a challenge. We require substantial financial resources to execute impactful projects. We call on friends, supporters, and partners to collaborate with us. Our financial management system is very robust. We have professional accountants who ensure that all funds are properly accounted for.
No money is released without following due process, and every project undergoes strict monitoring and evaluation to ensure the funds are used correctly and that the objectives are met.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the Rotary Club of Ikeja?
We welcome anyone who wants to join. Our meetings are held every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Lagos Airport Hotel. Prospective members are encouraged to fellowship with us for a period so that we can assess their level of commitment.
Membership of the Rotary Club of Ikeja is not just about showing up; it’s about being part of a community of service and leadership. We have a membership committee that guides new entrants through the process. The key is commitment and consistent participation.
