Professionalism and Leadership

Leadership and professionalism are core values that define the spirit and impact of every Rotaract member. Leadership in Rotaract goes beyond holding positions—it's about inspiring others, taking initiative, and serving with integrity. A true Rotaract leader leads by example, promotes teamwork, and drives positive change in the community.

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Together, leadership and professionalism empower Rotaractors to be agents of change, upholding the values of Rotary while building their personal and professional growth.

Rotary International District 9111 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited is set to empower 132 beneficiaries with start-up kits across various trades on Thursday, February 11, 2025, at 9 am at Rotary Centre, Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja - GRA, Lagos. 

District Governor Nominee, Rotary International District 9111 and the Project Coordinator, Bukola Bakare disclosed that “ the vocational skills beneficiaries of these start-up kits will get free:          -    grinding machines: plumbing kits, deep freezers, sewing machines, generators, gas burners and cylinders, barbers and hairdressers kits, amongst others.

Bakare added that “the community intervention project had beneficiaries from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria drawn from Lagos and Ogun states.”

Rotary International District 9111 District Governor, Dr Wole Kukoyi in his contribution spoke on the significance of economic empowerment in Rotary’s initiatives and called for government collaboration to reach the vulnerable groups in our various communities as a means of poverty reduction in ways that are effective and efficient.

Dr Kukoyi stated that,

“Rotary’s Empowerment Initiative complements government efforts and stresses the need for recognition and partnership to enhance community development.”

In his words, “We know that government alone cannot eradicate poverty completely and also achieve meaningful youths empowerment, hence our resolve to carry out these programs to complement government’s efforts.”, he said.

“So, we expect the government to recognize Rotary for what it does, and then partner with us accordingly following the type of cooperation we have with First Bank of Nigeria Limited,”he said.

Bukola Bakare, Rotary International District 9111 District Governor Nominee and Project Coordinator added that “ all the start-up kits are free for the 132 beneficiaries and First Bank of Nigeria Limited is the major sponsor for the project”.

She added that “the 132 beneficiaries were chosen based on needs analysis from Igbos, Hausa and Yorubas residents in Lagos and Ogun states.

In her words, “First Bank is our major supporter for this program, we have a 10-year Community Empowerment plan, which is supported by First Bank as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility program” she stated.

It could be recalled that last year, 102 beneficiaries were empowered and Mrs. Kemi Kalesanwo, Director, of Lagos State Agency for Mass Education, confirmed that 22 out of the 102 beneficiaries were from the agency’s vocational training centers.

Kalesanwo said that the state government believed in public, private partnerships (PPP) and was happy with the collaboration between Rotary and First Bank.

She listed projects donated by Rotary to include the construction of one of the eight vocational training centers, owned by the agency in the Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of Lagos.

During the presentation exercise last year, Mr. Babatunde Adewale, Permanent Board Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), lauded the empowerment program while reeling out contributions and projects of Rotary International to schools in the state.

He urged other corporate organizations, government, public-spirited individuals, and philanthropists to emulate First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Rotary International's empowerment initiatives.