By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: Former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has thrown his weight behind the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro’s flagship project to establish a Community Volunteer Fire Station to serve Kafe District, Life Camp, Gwarinpa and surrounding communities, describing it as a demonstration of Rotary in action.
Osinbajo, who served as Chairman of the occasion at the investiture of Rotarian Engr. Michael O. Oluwagbemi, FNSE, as the 17th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and the launch of his book, Blueprints for Progress on Thursday night, was represented by former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Adeola Rahman Ipaye.
The event, held alongside the Presidential Honors for ten distinguished Nigerians, also had in attendance the Special Guest of Honour, Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Audu.
Ipaye, who is also a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, described the evening as one that celebrated three noble ideals in one event. “First, we celebrate leadership, through the investiture of a new President of one of Rotary’s most vibrant clubs. Second, we celebrate ideas, through the launch of Blueprints for Progress, a book whose foreword Professor Osinbajo had the privilege of writing because he believes deeply in the author’s commitment to nation-building and practical leadership. Third, we celebrate service, by recognising distinguished Nigerians whose lives remind us that the greatest legacy is not what we accumulate but what we contribute,” Ipaye said.
He noted that for over 120 years, Rotary has quietly demonstrated that while governments make policy, it is often citizens working together in service who make communities flourish, adding that Rotarians across the world have built schools, restored hope, promoted peace, improved healthcare, fought disease and strengthened communities.
“Tonight, Rotary Club of Abuja Metro renews that commitment through an ambitious programme of community service, led by a flagship project to establish a Community Volunteer Fire Station to serve Kafe, Life Camp and surrounding communities, alongside several initiatives in health, education, peacebuilding and economic empowerment. These projects represent Rotary in action,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Oluwagbemi described the evening as bringing together four significant occasions in one celebration, namely his investiture as President, the launch of his book, the presentation of Presidential Honours to ten exceptional individuals and families, and the induction of new Rotarians and honorary members.
He recalled that Rotary was founded by Paul Harris over 120 years ago on the idea that professionals should come together not merely to pursue success, but to use their success to improve their communities, growing from four friends in Chicago in 1905 to a global movement of more than 1.2 million people.
He paid tribute to the late Baba Majiyagbe, a Nigerian past leader of Rotary International who had encouraged him to join the organisation, requesting a moment of silence in his honour.
Oluwagbemi said Rotary exists because no government, however well intentioned, can meet every need of society, adding that there will always be gaps that require compassionate citizens, ethical leaders and generous communities to bridge.
Speaking on his book, a collection of his writings spanning 23 years from 2002 to 2025, Oluwagbemi said it was more than a personal publication but another instrument of service whose proceeds would support the humanitarian projects of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro.
He recalled the values instilled in him by his late father, saying, “He often reminded us that ‘givers never lack.’ One of his favourite sayings was that ‘the pipeline through which water flows never runs dry.’ His message was simple: when God can trust you to bless others, He continues to bless you.”
Oluwagbemi urged guests to embrace what Rotarians call the Three Ts of Giving, namely Time, Talent and Treasure, describing them as the building blocks of lasting impact.
On the fire station project, he said, “Our flagship project is the construction of a Community Volunteer Fire Station to serve Kafe District, Life Camp, Gwarinpa and surrounding communities. This project will save lives, protect property and stand as a permanent reminder that ordinary citizens can achieve extraordinary things when they work together.”
He added that alongside the fire station, the club would deliver projects in healthcare, education, peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, youth development and economic empowerment.
Oluwagbemi disclosed that with 25 new members inducted at the event, the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro had regained its mega club status, a distinction it was the first to attain in Africa, describing it as imposing special responsibilities on the club.
