Barrister Lawal Ejide, a Notary Public and Principal Partner at Ejide Lawal & Co., has been installed as the 24th President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria — becoming the club’s fourth female president.
Her installation marks a significant milestone in the club’s leadership, reinforcing the steady rise of women in the organisation.
Ejide took over from Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejinmi, an entrepreneur and logistics practitioner, who successfully completed her tenure.
Notably, Ejide is expected to hand over the mantle in the next Rotary year to another woman, Alhaja Yinka Shodimu, a real estate developer and investor.
In her acceptance speech, Ejide expressed gratitude and commitment to service.
“It is with great joy and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the mantle of leadership as President of the Rotary Club of Egbeda for this Rotary year. I am sincerely humbled by the confidence reposed in me,” she said.
Ejide immediately unveiled her administration’s major focus: multi-million naira initiatives aimed at community development. Top among them is the completion of the club’s Vocational Development Centre at Royal Estate, Iyana Odo, Isheri Igando, Lagos. The centre will equip young people with practical skills, mentorship, and leadership training.
She also announced plans to equip public primary healthcare centres within the club’s area of service with essential medical equipment and materials. The administration has budgeted approximately N20 million for these projects and other interventions in basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, water, sanitation and hygiene, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and environmental sustainability.
“We therefore appeal to individuals, corporate organisations, and development partners to support us financially and through partnerships to achieve these goals,” Ejide said.
The Guest Speaker, Dr Oluwole Kukoyi, a medical practitioner and Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary District 9111, commended the new President’s priorities. He called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to tackle maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.
This aligns with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and Rotary International’s commitment to improving maternal and child health across the world.
“We therefore call for stronger partnerships that will enable us to reach more communities and save more lives,” he said.
In her valedictory speech, the outgoing President, Princess Oluwatoyintosin Adejinmi, thanked members and partners for their support. She highlighted the chartering of a new Interact Club at Great Michael Comprehensive College and the establishment of the Rotary Club of Isheri Olofin Midtown as key achievements of her tenure.
“Through this initiative, we have helped to nurture young leaders and instill in them the values of service, leadership, integrity and community engagement and creating more opportunities to serve communities through impactful humanitarian projects,” she said.
