Guests laud Toki Mabogunje's emergence as president, Lagos Rotary Club

 

Rotarian Toki Mabogunje (middle)-flanked by her left by her husband- Engineer Segun  Mabogunje and by her right by her predecessor - Rotarian Adetunji Lamidi.

……Proffer path to a new Nigeria

By Babatola Adeyemi

 “I'm happy that the new President - Toki Mabogunje- epitomizes the kind of leadership Nigeria needs".

These were the words of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Senior Partner, AELEX - Mr Lawrence Fubara Anga, who was the Chairman of the very colourful event where the former President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry [LCCI] and Vice Chair, Africa, International Chamber of Commerce, World Chamber Federation –Mrs Toki Mabogunje –was installed the President, Rotary Club of Lagos recently in Lagos.

Indeed, at the August occasion on July 4th, the new president was also lauded by other guests who also used the occasion to proffer the way to a great Nigeria that many are dreaming of.

 The event’s Guest of Honour - Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos - Professor Folashade Ogunsola- commended Rotarian Mabogunje for her human capital development and  empowerment expertise, which she said guaranteed the club a year of excellence under her leadership.

 Ogunsola described the new president as a unifier who would assist Rotary to build a new legacy. In her words: “We cannot forget her impact as President of the LCCI and the impact she made increasing its use of technology, increasing its membership, raising its profile-all these during the Covid-19 pandemic when we had global economic, supply chain, human resources and transport problems. Can you imagine what she will achieve now? Where the only challenge is economic, this is a minor distraction. She has the power to get the best out of people. She looks for the good in people; so she makes people want to be their best selves”.

Significantly too, another guest who spoke anonymously stated “I have known Toki for many years as a woman of integrity who always want to make a mark. She gives her all to whatever she’s involved in, with integrity standing her out. Like the Vice chancellor said, how I wished there wasn’t Covid- 19 when she was LCCI president. Beyond what she was able to achieve, they would have been singing her praises forever. One thing that will make her achieve a lot even in just one year as Rotary President is her integrity. I recall a time she engaged me on a project. Despite her displeasure with an aspect in the project delivery, she paid me the balance due after delivery whereas she could have argued for some discount which I wouldn’t have contested”.

Proffering the path to a new Nigeria, Anga decried what he described as the season of disunity and anomy in the country currently. He urged all Nigerians to shun discouragement despite the prevailing disunity and disruption of ethical standards in the country generally.

According to him:"Your smallest contribution can make a difference. The more we have any reason not to render service or give the best to our country, the more the anomy persists”.

 To Ogunsola- who lauded the club's new year theme- " Unite For Good"- unity is critical if Nigeria must be repositioned because with it comes progress and immense economic benefits.

Citing Rwanda - a far smaller country than Nigeria - as an example to learn from, the Professor disclosed:"A country that in 1994 was synonymous with genocide, division and despair, with over a million lives lost and communities torn apart has become a beacon of hope in Africa as a model of unity, good governance and technological innovation.

"The people came to unite, they chose forgiveness over vengeance. They embraced shared development. Their government invested in e-governance, digital infrastructure and inclusive policies. 

"Today, Rwanda is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, teaching us the magic that happens when people choose to unite for good".

Delivering her inaugural speech, Rotarian Mabogunje stressed the significance of the theme of the new Rotary year: “Unite For Good”, describing it as a call to members to harness the power of collaboration to strengthen their bonds and amplify Rotary's impact as the club services various communities.

She stated inter-alia: “As Rotary International President-Francesco Arezzo-says, the theme-Unite For Good-calls on Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world often divided by various factors. He believes that through services and projects, Rotary brings together people from all backgrounds to work towards a shared mission of doing good in their communities”.

She added: "Our goal is sustainable impact. Let us unite across generations, professions and backgrounds to create a tapestry of services that would outlive our tenure".

The Rotarian President disclosed that in the new Rotary year which commenced last Tuesday, the Club would focus on seven needs. These are: Economic and community development, Peace and conflict resolution, Basic education and literacy, Protecting the environment, Disease prevention and treatment, Maternal and Child health and Water, Sanitation and hygiene.

She assured that the club would drive its activities through the strategic priorities of membership growth and quality and strategic partnerships for impacts, by leveraging technology and diversifying funding sources, among others. The new president, in what she termed “My call to action”, urged members to make the new Rotary year a year to Recruit with purpose, Serve with passion and Collaborate boldly.

Before handing over to Mabogunje, Rotarian Adetunji Lamidi described the outgoing Rotary year -2024/2025- as a year of Consolidation and Service, as well as a year of Magic. He explained: “We have demonstrated the power of service, fellowship and community and we have inspired others to join us in our mission “. He listed some of the achievements within the year to include membership retention and increase, increased funding support to entrepreneurs, especially women, improved maternal and child health support and provision of more access to water supply to many communities. Lamidi was optimistic that Mabogunje would “lead our club to even greater heights”.

Other dignitaries at the event, which held at the Condo Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos included the  District Governor, Rotary International District 9112-2025-2026-Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin,  Engineer Olusegun Mabogunje-the new president’s husband,  past presidents of the Rotary Club, namely Rotarian Seinde Akinsete, Rotarian Ayo Banjo and Rotarian Kehinde Ayo; Kasumu among others.

 Also in attendance were the Founder and Chairman, Chams HoldCo –Sir Abiodun Aladekomo and his Wife-Mrs Titi Aladekomo, the President, Deputy President and Vice President, LCCI-Messers Gabriel Idahosa, Leye Kupoluyi and Princess Funlayo Bakare-Okeowo and renowned Legal Practitioner –Barrister Gbemiga Sowemimo, among other eminent guests.

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