The Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central, at the weekend, witnessed the emergence of its fifth President, Rotarian Moses Oyewale Oyelami, who will assume office officially on July 1, 2025. A project manager of repute, Engr. Oyelami is taking over the leadership of the four-year-old club from Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde, who had run the club affairs from July 1, 2024.

At the handover ceremony, which was attended by the Governor-Nominee of Rotary International District 9112, Rotarian Layi Abidoye, and other district leaders, Akintunde rendered the steward of his team for the 2024-2025 Rotary year. These included growing membership, service projects, strengthening members’ bond, establishing an advisory body known as the League of Past Presidents, and rewards for outstanding club members.

One of the highlights of the event was the emergence of the club’s current Vice President, Rotarian Busayo Akomolafe as the Member-of-the-Year. In order to encourage members to excel in their service to the club, Akintunde introduced a Member-of-the-Month Award, which was determined at his discretion. Each month, the recipient received a token cash gift of N20,000, which is borne by the President.

Winners of the Member-of-the-Month Award included the club’s Treasurer, Rotarian Modupe Aderemi-Bello (July 2024); The Rotary Foundation Chair, Past President (Dr.) Adebukunola Soile-Balogun (August 2024); Akomolafe (September 2024); Club Admin, Rotarian Oluwabunmi Akinde (November 2024); and Acting Public Image Chair, Rotarian Samuel Akinpelu (December 2024).

Others were: Rotarian Ayoola Salaudeen (February 2025); Oyelami (March 2025); Conference and Convention Chair, Rotarian Idowu Olawoyin (April 2025); and Membership Chair, Rotarian Isaac Vincent (May 2025).

Akintunde explained that Akomolafe distinguished himself throughout the 2024/2025 Rotary year by offering total commitment to the club and ensuring that its ship was steadied whenever there were turbulent.

Also honoured for exemplary service were the club’s Assistant Governor, Rotarian Ibraheem Lateef Adebayo, who the President described as ‘God-sent’ to the club; and the Charter President, Rotarian (Arc.) Deji Shonuga.

Akomolafe stole the show when he asked that a gift be presented to the outgoing President for the matured manner he administered the club in the year. He described Akintunde as a gift to the club having come into the office at the most troubling time, but was able to bring members together to work for a common goal.

In his valedictory address, Akintunde thanked the members and other stakeholders for ensuring that the club was conducive during the outgoing year, and supporting it in the execution of life-touching projects.

He said that the club’s growth drive yielded results with seven members coming on board, while there are indications that the incoming President and his team would beat that number in the fast approaching 2025/2026 Rotary year.

On the League of Past Presidents, which was launched during the club’s fourth anniversary celebration on 23 March, this year, Akintunde said that it would play its role as advisory to the sitting President in order to tame possible conflicts and allow for a friendly atmosphere in the club.

He said that he was confident that the incoming President would raise the bar higher, adding: “With the commitment and energy which our incoming President, Rtn. (Engr.) Moses Oyewale Oyelami has exhibited, I am confident that our club is in safe hands. For instance, he scored so high on inclusion by placing many of our new members in strategic portfolios for the forthcoming Rotary year. Together, we will have a club that will not only satisfy the expectations of our members, but will also be in a good position to compete for laurels”.

Oyelami, the incoming President, pledged his commitment to the ideals of Rotary and the fulfilment of the club’s goals. “Service above self”, which is the motto of Rotary, will guide all my activities’, he assured.

Dignitaries at the event included the 2025/2026 Assistant Governor for the club, Rotarian Modupe Bankole-Erikitola; Past Assistant District Governor, Rotarian Lanre Kasim; communications experts Okwudili Onyia, Akin Olaiya and Sanmi Falobi, among others.

•PHOTO: From left: Outgoing President of Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa Central, Rotarian Muyiwa Akintunde; wife of the incoming President, Mrs. Nkechi Oyelami; incoming President Rotarian Moses Oyelami; and Past President, Rotarian Adebukunola . . . at the handover ceremony on Friday