RC Ikeja Township has transformed a simple need for proximity into a thriving purpose-driven Rotary club. From its humble beginnings in Lagos’ Alimosho area, the club has built a vibrant community rooted in fellowship, service, and the powerful mantra “We Full Ground,” which captures its members’ full commitment and unwavering spirit.
As the president-elect of Rotary Club of Ikeja Township in District 9110, founding this club in the vibrant heart of Lagos has been a journey of exhilaration and challenge.
I’m a Rotarian who currently serves as secretary for District 9112’s Public Image Committee and board of some other committees at the district level, I know the comfort of an established club’s rhythm. You show up, and things work.
But as a business owner and media relations practitioner of many years, I know there’s a fire in building something new, something that pulses with your community’s spirit. That’s what drove me to start this club, and I’m all in, no looking back.
The spark came from a simple issue: distance.
My former club, Rotary Club of Ikeja Alausa, was too far a trek. And I wasn’t alone.
Rtn. Ariike Olukayode Elegbede, then Membership Committee chair whilst I led Public Image, shared the same frustration. Over conversations about our daily grind, we envisaged a club closer to home in Alimosho.
Proximity was the seed, but the dream grew into a Rotary hub rooted in our community’s soul.
Ariike stepped up as charter president, her resolve unwavering, and I’ve matched her energy as president-elect, determined to make our club not just exist but shine.
Starting a Rotary club isn’t a casual choice.
It’s a grind, recruiting prospects, holding heartfelt talks to win their trust, and showing them why Rotary’s mission is worth their time and investment.
The process is deliberate, gathering enough committed souls for Rotary International’s recognition whilst keeping the momentum alive. Ariike and I leaned into that work, but we had a guide.
Our Club Adviser, PP. Dr. Olubunkola Balogun-Soile, was our beacon. Her mentorship steadied us through uncharted waters. Thanks to her guidance, we have held two physical meetings and several others online.
At our first in-person gathering, buzzing with the thrill of new beginnings, we found our voice. We chose “We Full Ground” as our slogan, an Alimosho phrase that means full commitment, full presence, no half-measures in service or fellowship. It’s more than words; it’s who we are.
Even as a provisional club, awaiting our charter certificate, we’ve hit the ground running.
We partnered with a sister club to visit a local orphanage, spending time with children, sharing gifts, and filling the air with laughter.
Those moments, seeing a child’s face light up over a gift, are what Rotary’s about, a small but real step against isolation and need.
More projects, like community drives and skill workshops, are in the works, but we’re pacing ourselves until the charter arrives. The anticipation fuels our focus.
Growth isn’t just projects; it’s people.
Membership is our lifeblood, and we’re relentless about it. Our regular Saturday roadwalks are where the magic happens.
Picture us in Rotary T-shirts, striding through our community, chatting with neighbours, swapping stories, and spreading Rotary’s mission. There’s hardly a walk without winning a member for RC Ikeja Township. Each new face is a win, a new brother or sister in service.
Also read: Rotary Club of Ikeja Township celebrates charter
Reflecting on this journey, I see the unsung effort it takes. Building a new Rotary is both exciting and challenging.
Charter presidents like Ariike deserve every accolade for steering clubs past those critical first five years; the grind is real, and often overlooked.
But I’m not here for praise; I’m here for the work. With Ariike, Dr. Balogun-Soile, and our growing crew, we’re planting roots to shade generations. This club, born from a need for proximity, has become my purpose.
“We Full Ground” isn’t just our slogan; it’s our promise.
In Alimosho’s relentless flow, we’re building a legacy, one roadwalk, one orphanage visit, one inspired recruit at a time.
This article was first published in the Rotary International’s Zonal 22 magazine, TheRegion, October 2025 Edition
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
