Emmanuel Clement.
Rotary Club of Isheri North, District 9112, has inaugurated Rotarian Philip Chukwuneme Osadebe as its sixth President for the 2025/2026 Rotary year, with a commitment to deepen humanitarian service through impactful community projects.
The colourful investiture ceremony, held at Beehive Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, attracted Rotarians, past presidents, community leaders, family members and friends who gathered to witness the formal handover of leadership.
Assuming office under the Rotary International theme, “Create Lasting Impact,” Osadebe unveiled a comprehensive one-year agenda centred on healthcare, education, youth empowerment and sustainable community development.
In his inaugural address, the new president pledged to build on the club’s achievements by implementing projects that would leave lasting benefits for residents.
“I’m the sixth president of this great club inaugurated today. Our theme is ‘Create Lasting Impact,’ and we are committed to executing projects that will positively transform our community,” Osadebe said.
He announced several initiatives scheduled for implementation during his tenure, including free cataract surgeries, maternal health outreach for pregnant and nursing mothers, youth empowerment and skills acquisition programmes, career guidance and free book donations to secondary school students, health screenings with free medication, environmental sanitation campaigns, as well as a Christmas gift bank and carol programme for vulnerable families.
Osadebe also emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with corporate organisations, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to ensure the successful delivery of the projects.
Outgoing President, Rotarian Michael Adeleye, urged the new leadership to remain committed to Rotary’s ideals of selfless service and community impact.
Reflecting on his tenure, Adeleye revealed that the club exceeded expectations by completing nine impactful projects in Isheri, surpassing its original target of seven.
According to him, the projects included maternal and child healthcare interventions, free cataract surgeries, the execution of a major signature project, and the donation of an ICT library to a secondary school.
He credited the achievements to the collective support of the club’s Board of Trustees, fellow Rotarians, family members, friends and business associates.
Adeleye advised Osadebe to remain focused despite inevitable challenges.
“My advice is to surpass the achievements recorded during my administration.
Be patient, remain resilient and stay focused on your goals. Work closely with your Board because distractions will certainly come,” he said.
Also speaking, former President Rotarian Michael Omeihe Jr., who served during the Rotary year themed “The Magic of Rotary,” charged the new president to embrace servant leadership while prioritising membership growth.
He noted that Osadebe succeeds five previous presidents: Charter President Rotarian Churchill, Rotarian Olugbenga Babayemi, Rotarian Afam Daniel Nwejike, himself and Rotarian Michael Adeleye.
Omeihe stressed that Rotary leadership requires total commitment to the organisation’s guiding principle of “Service Above Self.”
“As president, you must lead from the front. Leaders eat last. Within this one year, ensure that your projects address Rotary’s seven areas of focus and make meaningful impact in the community,” he advised.
Rotarian Michael identified membership expansion as another critical objective, explaining that stronger membership would enable the club to grow into a mega club capable of sponsoring new Rotary clubs.
“Our club was birthed by the Rotary Club of Ojodu. We also need to grow to the point where we can establish new clubs. That is how Rotary has continued to expand globally for more than 100 years,” Omeihe stated.
He encouraged the new administration to retain existing members, recruit new ones and lay the foundation for the eventual chartering of another Rotary club.
Addressing concerns about Rotary’s one-year presidential tenure, Omeihe explained that the organisation operates a rotational leadership system designed to give qualified members the opportunity to serve.
“One year is enough because Rotary is a wheel. Leadership rotates annually, allowing different people with capacity to contribute. Once you have served as president, another person takes over to continue the work,” he explained.
He further noted that the club’s president-nominee undergoes practical leadership preparation by serving as service chair and coordinating project implementation before assuming office, ensuring continuity and effective leadership.
Investigator news reports that the investiture marked another milestone for the Rotary Club of Isheri North as members reaffirmed their commitment to humanitarian service and sustainable community development through impactful projects that will improve lives across Isheri and neighbouring communities.
