•As 40th President Of IKOYI Rotary
•Details Of The Classy Event
Were you at the historic installation ceremony of Rotarian Emmanuel Ibukun Efuntayo as 40th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi? If you weren’t, then you missed a great deal. It was an event befitting of the symbolic essence of the occasion. The venue was the magnificently decorated hall of the Air Force Officers’ Mess, Kofo Abayomi street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and the date was Saturday, July 20th, 2024. The beautifully adorned hall was filled to capacity around 1.30 pm, about 30 minutes after the event kicked off. Friends, families and Rotarian Colleagues stormed the venue for the installation ceremony of their colleague and friend, Rotarian Emmanuel Ibukun Efuntayo as the 40th President of the prestigious Rotary club of Ikoyi. It was an event laced with pomp and pageantry as guests arrived the venue looking resplendent in their various glittering attires. While most of the men were dressed mostly in nicely cut native outfits that looked smashing on them, the ladies were the more colourful of the two. They were looking absolutely gorgeous in their different outfits which allowed them to be more creative with eye catching designs. Give it to the women, they were vibrant, they were the life and soul of the event in terms of the glitz and the glamour that it produced.
The celebrant, Rotarian Mr. Emmanuel Ibukun Efuntayo, an integral part of the Rotary club of Ikoyi and a valued one at that, was taking over the baton of leadership from the 39th president of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade, that explains why he pulled out all the stops to give the investiture the befitting ceremony it deserves. And he was ably supported by his team of dedicated Rotarians who stood right behind him all through and ensured the momentous occasion went perfectly as planned. City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) and the City People Online Crew, were at the event to give full coverage to the investiture ceremony. Enjoy the minute by minute account.
OUTGOING PRESIDENT CALLS MEETING TO ORDER FOR THE LAST TIME
The time was exactly 1.00pm. The Anchor person for the day, a dedicated Rotarian himself, AG Charles Okonkwo, called on the outgoing president, Rotarian Funsho Gbogbo Ade, to step out and call the meeting to order, a function which he would perform for the very last time as President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. And with pride and a huge sense of fulfillment, the outgoing president went through the motions and rang the bell, performing her last symbolic function by calling the meeting to order. This officially marked the take off of the event.
INTRODUCTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASION
Next, Charles Okonkwo, the Anchor person, introduced the chairman of the occasion, Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, a former National President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce. The minute his brilliant profile was read and he stood up for recognition, he was greeted with applause. Everyone was impressed.
ABOUT THE ANCHORS, CHARLES OKONKWO AND WINNIE EBIYE
The two anchor persons for the event were both impressive. Charles Okonkwo, it has to be said, did a fantastic job handling proceedings at the event before he was joined by his co-anchor for the day. He serenaded guests with melodious Rotary songs that delighted non Rotarians in attendance. His deep, rich voice and excellent vocal delivery calmed the atmosphere in the hall and set the right tone for the occasion. He was later assisted by the delectable Winnie Ebiye, a seasoned Master Compere of note and broadcast journalist per excellence. Winnie is also a Media Consultant whose services are highly in demand, attracting engagements from some of the biggest corporate organisations in the land. In same breath, she is also thriving as a Master Compere, everyone loves her composure, delivery and articulation whenever she steps on stage to anchor events. And by the way, she is also a Rotarian, Winnie is the Public Image Director for the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. Her calmness and confidence is perhaps her biggest strength.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PDGs AND PAST PRESIDENTS
First task undertaken by the comperes was the introduction of the PDGs and Presidents present at the event. There were quite a handle of them. They all stood up for recognition amidst resounding applause from everyone in the hall. Having these Past District Governors and past presidents present at the event was such a delight to see. This was quickly followed by the taking of the Object of the Rotary. This was done by Rotarian Chris Ehioje.
WELCOME ADDRESS BY INVESTITURE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
You couldn’t miss her at the event, she was everywhere, ensuring there were no hitches in the way of the programme. She is Rotarian Nike Maiyaki, the lovely lady who chaired Investiture Committee for the installation of the 40th President, Rotarian Ibkun Efuntayo. Her address was brief and direct. She charged everyone in the room to support the cause of the Rotary by donating generously to their various projects for the good of humanity. Nike Maiyaki’s invaluable contribution to the overall success of the event was clearly appreciated by all.
CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASION GIVES HIS ADDRESS
It was time for the chairman to give his address. Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, former national President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, extolled the outstanding qualities of the Rotary club as an organisation dedicated totally to selfless service to humanity. He also expressed his absolute confidence in the capabilities of the new president, Rotarian Ibukun Efuntayo, trusting that he will deliver beyond expectations within the next one year that he will take charge of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi.
GUEST SPEAKER, OTUNBA BIMBO ASHIRU DELIVERS SPEECH
He was the cynosure of all eyes when he stepped into the hall. This very accomplished yet simple man by nature is regarded as one of the brightest Ijebu sons, having had a most illustrious career in Strategic Management which has seen his services engaged by several corporate institutions including many top banks in the land. He began by explaining how several of his Rotarian friends have persuaded him to join the Rotary Club. According to him, he loves and respects what the Rotary stands for, but he was not sure he could dedicate the time the Rotary club would demand of him if he joined. One of the high points of his speech was his charge to Rotarians to make their voices heard within the political sphere without being partisan. But, he insists, they must find a way to make their own contributions to the political conversations going on within the country.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT SPEAKS
The immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi was called to make her speech. An obviously excited Rotarian Funsho Gbogboade stepped to the podium to give a short speech on her accomplishments in office in the last one year she was in charge of Rotary Club of Ikoyi. And she and her team did quite a lot. She reeled out dozens of projects undertaken by the club in the last one year and the outstanding successes they recorded. It was a long list indeed and she was clearly proud of herself and her team.
ARRIVAL OF THE MAN OF THE MOMENT, ROTARIAN IBUKUN EFUNTAYO
Next was the arrival of the new President of the Rotary club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Emmanuel Ibukun Efuntayo. It was indeed a beautiful sight to behold when the about to be installed 40th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and his lovely looking daughter, Alice Adetokunbo Efuntayo, stepped inside the exquisitely decorated hall, glittering in their finely gorgeous looking outfits. The new President and his daughter were accompanied into the hall by past District Governors and past presidents present at the event. The entire hall rose to their feet to welcome them. The band offered them the right kind of music to usher them in and the celebrant himself, Rotarian Ibukun Efuntayo, moved and shuffled majestically to the beats of the music.
IMPRESSIVE PROFILE OF THE NEW PRESIDENT READ BY ANCHOR, WINNIE EBIYE
Immediately the excitement that followed the arrival of the man of the moment had died down, it was time to listen to the profile of the 40th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi. This was done by the very eloquent and pretty looking Winnie Ebiye. Rotarian Emmanuel Ibukun Efuntayo’s profile can be described as quite a lengthy piece because the man has got a great deal of achievements stacked under his belt. It would’ve been quite a mouthful for anyone to reel out. But the usually calm and extremely competent Winnie made it all look so easy, taking each line in her strides. She read through the list seamlessly in a way that it was easy for everyone to flow along with her and digest every line.
NEW PRESIDENT PERFORMS FIRST OFFICIAL FUNCTION
It was time for the new president, Rotarian Ibukun Efuntayo, to perform his very first official function as the 40th President of the Rotary club of Ikoyi. He was asked to call the House to order for the very first time, a task only performed by the president. This he did perfectly, triggering a rousing applause from everyone.
THE NEW PRESIDENT MAKES HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS
After the very rich and intimidating profile of the new President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi had been read and displayed on screen for everyone to see, and his first official function performed with the calling of the house to order, next came the president’s inaugural address. He thanked the Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, for gracing the occasion as well as the Guest Speaker, Otuba Bimbo Ashiru. He commended all past presidents and District Governors for their dedication to the Rotary cause. He titled the theme for this year, “ See the magic of Rotary.” He went on to reveal the seven key roles he wishes to focus which he believes would propel the club to a new level. This includes very significant projects that he believes would be impactful to the society.
IT’S FUND RAISING TIME
It was time for the business of the day, the fund raising proper. This is the point where friends and business associates of the new President would step out to come support him on the several projects his district intends to undertake. And they did not disappoint. Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe, set the ball rolling by pledging handsome donations with a promise that they will continue to support the new president through out his tenure. Others like High Chief M.I. Okoro made a donation of N1m, Mr. Ben Gbade gave N5m, Mr. Olumide Akinsanya pledged N3m, WEMABOD- N1m and several others too numerous to mention.
HONOURARY INDUCTEES DECORATED
Traditionally, at events such as this, the Rotary likes to honour and celebrate a few people, non Rotarians, who have been very supportive to their cause. This time, the Rotary Club of Ikoyi decorated as Honourary members of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Her Excellency, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, the former First Lady of Osun State and wife of the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adio Durosinmi, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru and Otunba Oluwatoyin Akomolafe.
The event came to a close with the announcement of Raffle ticket winners. The raffle numbers and names of the lucky winners were called and they all stepped out to pick their prizes. It was time to know who the grand prize winner is and it went to Rotarian Aderonke Akeredolu, she won a return ticket to Abuja. She was said to have also won a similar raffle draw last year when she won a return ticket to Europe.
