THE 16th President of the Rotary Club of Abule-Egba Metropolitan, Adejimi Olalekan Abiodun, has unveiled plans to renovate seven dilapidated classrooms at Meiran Senior High School as part of efforts to improve educational infrastructure and promote literacy in the community.

Abiodun disclosed this at his investiture ceremony, attended by the Rotary District 9111 Governor, Bukola Bakare, the District Governor-elect and other distinguished guests.

He described his administration’s proposed projects as ambitious but achievable, noting that education, vocational training and technological advancement would be central to his leadership agenda.
According to him, the renovation of seven Senior Secondary School One (SS1) classrooms would serve as the club’s flagship project, providing students with a more conducive learning environment.

Beyond education infrastructure, the club plans to organise vocational training in tie-and-dye production and artificial intelligence (AI) to equip young people with practical and technology-driven skills needed to thrive in a changing world.

Abiodun also disclosed that five new members were inducted into the club during the ceremony, while expressing the ambition to recruit between 10 and 15 additional members before the end of the Rotary year.
On philanthropic contributions, he said the club had set a target of $10,000 for The Rotary Foundation and confirmed contributions to the District Education and Welfare Endowment Fund (DEWEF).

Although the club currently has no Rotaract club, he said plans were underway to establish one. He added that the club intended to contribute $100 to its designated cause and $10 towards polio eradication.
The president expressed hope that his tenure would be remembered for impactful projects capable of transforming lives and addressing pressing community needs.

In her remarks, Bakare urged Abiodun to demonstrate purposeful leadership by prioritising membership growth, youth engagement and sustainable community development.
She cautioned against leadership defined merely by occupying the presidential seat, stressing that the responsibility required active engagement and measurable results.

“I want to see him growing his club and not just maintaining the membership he inherited, but bringing in young professionals with fresh ideas and energy, making them happy and engaging them,” she said.
Bakare also advised the president against attempting to do everything alone, urging him to listen to members, delegate responsibilities and foster a sense of belonging.
According to her, effective leadership entails bringing out the best in members while ensuring that the club’s activities deliver tangible benefits to the community.

She further challenged the club to identify pressing local needs and execute meaningful projects, noting that its impact should be measured by the quality of its interventions rather than meetings and social gatherings.
Describing The Rotary Foundation as the organisation’s foremost external priority, Bakare encouraged members to support its activities, including becoming Paul Harris Fellows through contributions of $1,000, which she said could be made in instalments.
She also urged the club to publicise its projects, particularly through social media, to showcase its achievements and attract prospective members.

Bakare concluded by urging presidents across the district to promote fellowship, laughter and unity throughout the Rotary year, warning against turning club fellowship into a battleground for internal disputes.
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