It was a beautiful afternoon on Saturday, 1st November 2025, when the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to community service and economic empowerment by equipping over a hundred young professionals with essential startup tools.
The initiative, tagged “Provision of Startup Equipment for Artisans,” was designed to support budding entrepreneurs and skilled artisans in enhancing their productivity and fostering self-reliance.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment program included barbers, hairdressers, makeup artists, fashion designers, caterers, welders, bakers, decorators, content creators, and soft drink vendors, among others.
The impactful event took place at St. George’s Girls Primary School, 123 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, and was graced by community leaders, Rotarians, and elated beneficiaries who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the life-changing support.
Leading this remarkable initiative was the visionary Rtn. Alexander Chukwu, United President (2025–2026), who reaffirmed Rotary’s steadfast dedication to uplifting communities through sustainable empowerment projects.
In his opening remarks, Rtn. Chukwu emphasized that the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro is not regarded as “the pride of Rotary” for nothing, but because of its continuous impact on lives and communities.
He noted that beyond the empowerment program, the club recently visited Ikoyi Maximum Prison, where it secured the release of over 50 inmates with minor offenses. He also revealed the club’s upcoming major humanitarian project — the renovation of Ward C1 and Ward C2 of Marina General Hospital, aimed at improving healthcare delivery for the underserved.
Among the donated equipment were sewing machines, complete gas cooker sets, deep freezers, professional barbing kits with sterilizers, large LED lights for content creators, welding and grinding machines, gas cookers with stands, and industrial cooking pots for caterers.
Some of the young professionals who benefited and expressed profound gratitude included Abosede Victoria, who received a cake mixer, and Samson Oredola, who won a complete barbing kit. Other beneficiaries included Rotaractor Agbara Teniola, Adeoye Esther, Temitope Akande, Bakare Stella, Aminat Rufai, Taiwo Sulaimon, Josephine Iroko, Fawaz Ayinde, and many others from different parts of Lagos.
Many of the beneficiaries, particularly those within the youth bracket, pledged to become Rotaractors and expressed their desire to make positive impacts in the lives of others in the future.
In their words of appreciation, they thanked the Club President, leadership team, and all members of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro for their generosity and commitment to humanity.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Rtn. Layi Abidoye, District Governor-Elect (D9112); Rtn. Basirat Giwa, Assistant District Governor; and Rotaractor Atitebi, among others.
Key members of the club who played active roles in the successful execution of this humanitarian project included Rtn. Emeka Nwosu, President-Elect; Rtn. Humphrey Uzoh, Club Service Project Chair; and Rtn. Anita Ugochukwu, Chief Planner of the Community Empowerment Project and Club Secretary.
Rtn. Toyin coordinated the media coverage for the event, ensuring the impactful outreach of the club’s activities.
Also present was Rtn. Gbolahan Adeyinka, Immediate Past President, whose continuous support and mentorship have remained instrumental to the club’s ongoing success.
Rtn. Ugochukwu further explained that the beneficiary selection process involved careful application screening and verification to ensure that only genuine artisans and entrepreneurs benefited from the empowerment program.
