The Rotary Club of Lagos celebrated a significant milestone at the weekend with the 65th Investiture and Fundraising Ceremony of Rotarian Toki Mabogunje as its new President, alongside the induction of the 2025-2026 Board of Directors. The event, held at a distinguished gathering, resonated with the powerful theme, “UNITE FOR GOOD: A CALL TO PURPOSE, PROGRESS, AND LEGACY.”
Rotarian Toki Mabogunje, a highly respected leader known for her transformative work, especially during her tenure as President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), officially assumed leadership. Her inauguration signals a renewed focus on unity, technology, and youth empowerment for the club’s upcoming year.
Speaking at the event, immediate Past President, Rotarian Adetunji Lamidi, reflected on the club’s achievements during his term, stating, “Today marks a significant day in the journey of the Rotary Club of Lagos.” He highlighted several key accomplishments, including significant strides in empowering women through skill and entrepreneurial training, the induction of 17 new members, raising 7 million dollars under the Rotary Foundation, and donations in the area of maternal and child health. He also noted the provision of clean water to several schools and communities, the launch of a youth leadership program, and the implementation of numerous sustainable projects.
Rotarian Lamidi expressed his confidence in the new leadership, stating, “As I handover the leadership of Rotary Club of Lagos to Rotarian Toki Mabogunje as the new president, I am convinced that she has what it takes to take our club to the next level.” He concluded by extending his “heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors, elders, among others.” Deserving members were also recognized with awards during the ceremony.
In her inaugural address, President Rotarian Toki Mabogunje expressed deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Club in a new Rotary year under the inspiring theme, “Unite for Good.” “This theme calls us to harness the power of collaboration, to strengthen our bonds, and to amplify our impact as we serve our communities. I am honoured to lead this exceptional club, and I pledge to work tirelessly alongside each of you to turn this vision into reality’ she added.
She stressed further that “This year, we will unite for good across every area of focus: Maternal & Child Health, Basic Education & Literacy, Economic and Community Development, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Protecting the Environment, and Peace & Conflict Prevention”
President Mabogunje articulated her commitment to fostering collaboration and expanding the club’s reach. She outlined the strategic priorities of the club for the year, including growing membership intentionally, strengthen member engagement, enhance retention, leverage technology, forge collaborations and partnerships, and deliver sustainable impact. She further charged Rotarians and friends of Rotary to recruit with purpose, serve with passion, give generously, and collaborate boldly. “Every Rotarian has what to contribute; let’s unlock it. We will forge collaboration with NGOs and other organizations, including academic institutions. Let’s identify at least one organization we can partner with that magnifies our impact”, she reiterated.
The Chairman of the occasion, Lawrence Fubara Anga, SAN who is the Senior Partner at AELEX, emphasized “service in the season of anomaly.” He posed a poignant question to Rotarians: “What can Rotarians do to pull us out of the current state of anomaly that we find ourselves? You can say that the economy is bad, I can’t give, but the more you hold on to your resources, the more the anomaly continues to expand.”
He admonished all guests to stop accepting mediocrity and hopelessness. W should promote quality, collaboration, and working together for good, which is synonymous to the theme “Unite for Good”. “May each and everyone of us and the Rotary Club itself continue to be satisfied as we give in service and as we give to humanity” he prayed.
Professor Tolulope Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, while delivering her address as the Guest of Honour, reiterated, “Today is not just an inauguration — it is a celebration of vision, responsibility, and service, there is no one better suited to be leading the Rotary club of Lagos at a time like this than Mrs. Toki Mabogunje. The theme ‘Unite for Good,’ could not be more timely or more powerful and certainly needed in a world that is very fractured. A world that appears to have sacrificed its humanity on the alter of ideology, political affiliation, social status, and ethnicity.”
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She stressed the importance of unity in achieving objectives and the crucial role Rotary plays in nation-building, particularly in light of Nigeria’s youth demographic. “I believe that Rotary has a major role to play in nation-building, the Rotary Club of Lagos must take into cognizance our youth demographic and also embrace technology because the power needed for nation-building is with our youth.”
Professor Ogunsola emphasized the economic wisdom of unity, stating, “Working in unity is therefore not only nice to do, it is economically smart to do! Rotary Club is for Nation building.”
Drawing inspiration from Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery, she highlighted the transformative power of unity. “Rwanda teaches us the magic that happens when people choose to unite for good.” She then turned her focus to Nigeria, acknowledging its size and diversity, but emphasizing its immense potential. “Nigeria is home to over 220 million people. Over 60% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 25… That’s not a time bomb — that is a treasure chest. Rotary Club of Lagos must really have the youth as a focus. Our youth are not problems to be solved; they are assets to be invested in. Our luck is that many are digital natives. So Rotary Club of Lagos must strongly embrace technology. Technology when united with your kind of purpose creates miracles!!! By 2050, we are projected to become the third most populous country in the world. That may sound like a statistic — but it is, in truth, a call to action.”
She concluded with a powerful charge to Rotarians: “Let us rise in resolve. Let us unite, not in words, but in will. Let us make Nigeria not only the giant of Africa in name — but the champion of unity, progress, and good. Be the catalyst to unite for good – and change the story of our nation. Once again, I congratulate you on your Presidency and wish you an inspirational and catalytic tenure. May you continue to Unite us all for good.”
Also speaking at the event, the District Governor for Lagos and Ogun, District 9112, Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin, extended his congratulations to President Mabogunje. He admonished members to support fundraising efforts, stating, “Although the economy is tough, it is said that givers never lack.”
The ceremony concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to service, as the Rotary Club of Lagos embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of Rotarian Toki Mabogunje, driven by the unifying spirit of “Unite for Good.”