Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Gets massive support for projects
It was a good start for the 22nd President, Rotary Club of Ikorodu Metropolitan, Rotarian Oluwaseyi Idris Ashamu, as he received maximum support for the club’s projects identified as focus of his administration between 2023 and 2024 Rotarian year, as guests, past presidents and members at his investiture, donated generously towards identified programmes.
Ashamu, while accepting the task to lead the humanitarian club with 1.5million members globally, at the well – attended inauguration ceremony held at the Al – Royal Hotel & Suites, Aga, Ikorodu, pledged to strive and execute cardinal programmes of the club among which are child and maternal health, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and eradication, peace and conflict resolution, empowering local economies and safe guarding our environment.
A first class monarch and the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, who was the royal father of the day, graced the occasion with his Olori and a large entourage which included his chiefs and other personalities. Also at the event were other eminent dignitaries.
Dr Adedamola A. Dada, MBBS, FMCS, FWACS, MD/CEO, Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, Lagos and Dr Olayinka Adigun Laosebikan, MBBS (IL), DTM (PRET)MCFP (SA), MD/CEO, Medihealth International, who were guest speakers at the investiture ceremony, spoke on Mental Health Awareness, to the Rotary Club members and guests.
According the Ashamu, the main focus of his administration is equipping the Lasunwon Primary Health Care Centre which is under the Rotary’s Child and Maternal Care (Save Mother and Child) project. Others proposed projects are: Renovation of School Toilet and Borehole at Lambo Lasunwon Primary School, Ikorodu (Water & Sanitation), Family Health Day: Provision of Free Health Check and Over the Counter Drugs for Children and Adults at Mowo Kekere and Ladegboye Communities in Ikorodu (Disease Prevention); Annual Tree Planting Exercise along Igbogbo – Bayeku Road (Save the Environment) and Free Bags and Exercise Books for Pupils of Methodist Primary School, Oke Eletu (Basic Education and Literacy).
Others are: Sponsoring 20 Youths between age 14 – 25 to Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (Youth Development); Donation of Defibrillator and Incubator to General Hospital, Ikorodu; Donation of 10 Wheel Chairs to Physically Challenged Persons and Christmas with Agbona Orphanage and Kikanos Orphanage Homes among others
The new President, who has been described as very supportive of other administrations before him and totally committed to the ideals of the Rotary International, was honoured by chieftains of the club at the international, District and local levels, and also donated generously towards his projects, while past Presidents of the club, equally made very significant contributions.
Meanwhile, Rotarian Ashamu, in his acceptance speech at the ceremony, said that he won’t take the responsibility bestowed on him for granted.
He pleaded for support from the chieftains and members of the club, in order to have a successful administration.
“I stand before you today as the 22nd president of the rotary club of lkorodu Metropolitan in total humility, embedded and imbued with a strong sense of responsibility, taking into cognizance the trust, belief and confidence reposed in me to lead one of the greatest rotary clubs in District 9110. It is an honour and privilege”, he said.
“I am not oblivious of the weight of the responsibility, nevertheless, with our collective strength, I am confident of impacts in our immediate communities and beyond.
“Together, we will strive to and fulfil our commitment in our areas of focus: child and maternal health, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and eradication, peace and conflict resolution, empowering local economies and safe guarding our environment.
“As we embark on this beautiful journey together, we will be leveraging on our overt and covert talents, mutual respect, understanding, collaboration flexibility and innovation. We are ROTARIANS, services above self is our motto. To my entire family, ably led by my dad, our doyen, thank you, daddy, my spouse, immediate family and every member of the family. God bless you all”, he said.
Ashamu pledged to lead by good examples, and in tandem with the principles and ideals of Rotary.
“To our guests and my colleagues, I cannot but doff my hat for you all. May honour and goodness continue to abide with you all. Amen”, he said.
“To fellow club members, I promise to lead from the front with high ethical standard, honesty and integrity, keeping the overall interest of the club closest to my heart at all times. Let us not forget that as Rotarians, we are united in commonness of thought and commonness of purpose”, Ashamu pledged.
Rotarian (Sir) Olusina Thorpe, Chairman, Investiture Committee, while welcoming members and guests to the occasion, said that the club is a global organization that is touching lives of many with laudable projects and humanitarian services.
He was represented by Mr Victor Femi Fred.
“We shall be creating hope through our numerous projects, throughout the year. By this, we will be touching lives in various aspects of human endeavours”, he said.
“Today, we hope to raise funds that will help achieve our goal and impact on lives through our projects this year. I, therefore, urge you all to follow us on the journey with keen attention through the program. we shall let you into how we hope to carry out impactful projects.
“To those who are new to Rotary and what we are about, we are a dynamic global organization that loves to touch lives in various ways through our projects.
“We have plans to carry out humanitarian projects that will touch lives in all these areas of focus. On this note, let me not bore you, but allow you experience Rotary on this day.
“Our dear sponsors, corporate partners, media partners, distinguished guests and friends of Rotary, I welcome you to this epoch investiture.
Alhaji Toyin Odeyemi, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Toymon Nigeria Limited, who chaired the event commended the impacts of Rotary Club, on the humanity.
He pledged to adopt one of the projects for the year for implementation, while also adding that he would remain supportive to President Ashamu’s administration, till the end.
He also announced the donation of a wheel chair by his wife.
At the ceremony, four new members: John Garrick, Adebisi Omobolanle, Oluwatoyin Deborah Oshobanjo and Saliu Riliwan Olashile, were inducted into the club by the Assistant Governor, Abdul-Azeez Akingbade and others.
Awards were presented to Alhaji Toyin Odeyemi, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Toymon Nigeria Limited; Dr Adedamola A. Dada, MBBS, FMCS, FWACS, MD/CEO, Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, Lagos, Dr Olayinka Adigun Laosebikan, MBBS (IL), DTM (PRET)MCFP (SA), MD/CEO, Medihealth International; Prince Eniola Adigun, MD/CEO, First Peak Consulting and Dr Mathew Oladimeji Omidiji, former MD/CEO, Premier Seeds Nigeria; Rotarian Olufunmilayo Bale – Ayorinde, Past President; Rotarian Chief Hope Uwagboe, Rotarian Shola Onileoye and Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, PhD.
Others honourees were: Rotarian (Otunba) Fatai Olukoga, Chartered President, Rotary Club of Ikorodu Metropolitan; Rotarian (Dr.) Olushola Olalude (PHF), First Past President, Rotary Club of Ikorodu Metropolitan; Rev. Can. Babatunde Adenekan, Head IT, Dangote Fertiliser Limited; Chief (Dr.) Victor A Ezeoke, National Implementation Head, Globacom Limited, Lagos and Chief Olakunle Akinnagbe, Chairman.CEO, Preview Advertising Limited.
Profile of ROTARIAN OLUWASEYI IDRIS ASHAMU
Rotarian Ashamu, Idris Ajiborisha Oluwaseyi was born in Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria, on the 15th September, 1974, to a career Police officer and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Lateef Ashamu Ajiborisha and a teacher mother, late Airat and Nimota Ajiborisha. He had his early life in the old Sokoto State, where he attended Mohammed Bankanu Primary School.
He later attended St Andrew’s Primary School, Randle Road, Apapa, and Apapa High School, Pelewura Crescent, Apapa. Rotarian Ashamu obtained OND and HND in Business Administration and Management from Lagos State Polytechnic, now Lagos State University of Tcience and Technology, BSc in Business Administration from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, and M.Sc in Finance from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State. Rotarian Ashamu also has M.Sc in Business Administration from the prestigious Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Ashamu is currently a PhD student of Business Administration in Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State. Rotarian Ashamu is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Administration.
He joined the defunct PHCN in 2004 (now lkeja Electric) as an Emumerator, and has, through commitments, dedication and hard work with Allah’s Rahmah, risen through the ranks and is today a Senior Manager with lkeja Electric, the largest electricity distribution company in sub Saharan Africa. He is currently the Undertaking Manager of Ajao UT in Oshodi Business Unit of the company.
Rotarian Ashamu is also an adjunct lecturer with Lagos State University of Science and Technology. His Rotary story started in 1994 as a Rotaractor in Rotaract Club of LASPOTECH, and he was Community Service Director in 1997.
He is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute, and has performed in various roles within Rotary. Rotarian Ashamu is a member of the Disaster Management Corp, Rotary District 9110.
Ashamu is driven by the desire to make positive impact in the society, helping to build a more equitable and sustainable world. A passionate volunteer.
He speaks Yoruba, Hausa and English with high level of proficiency, and also speak passable Kanuri and French languages. In his free time, Rotarian Idris Seyi Ashamu enjoys making new friends, trying new recipes, playing scrabble and listening to jazz music.
Ashamu is happily married to Mrs. Falilat Folake, and the marriage is blessed with children.
He had served in various committees and leadership capacities in the club, including Director Youth Generation (2022-2023).
Rotarian Ashamu, Idris A. Oluwaseyi, is the 22nd President, Rotary Club of Ikorodu Metropolitan, District 9110 Nigeria, with the theme: ‘CREATE HOPE IN THE WORLD’.
