Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, District 9111, has installed Dr Omowunmi Bakare as its 23rd president for the 2026–2027 Rotary year, marking a significant milestone in the club's history and bringing a public health perspective to its leadership.
The investiture ceremony, held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Excellence Hotel Conference Centre in Lagos, saw the new president pledge to focus on sustainable interventions in healthcare, education, economic empowerment, environmental protection, and community development. Bakare, an Associate Professor at the Lagos State University College of Medicine and a Consultant Public Health Physician, said her administration would translate Rotary's service philosophy into projects capable of producing benefits beyond her tenure.
"I will lead from the front. I will not ask of you what I am unwilling to give myself," Bakare said in her acceptance speech. "I will bring my energy as a diligent physician, my strategic focus as an academic, and my heart as a humanitarian to the front-line of every project, every meeting, and every challenge we face."
Bakare's journey to the presidency began decades ago as a young Rotaractor at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba. "It was at that institution that the spark of community service was lit. Over the past 14 years with the Omole-Golden family, that spark has grown into a lifelong flame," she said. Her elevation to the presidency represents both an honour and a responsibility.
The new president anchored her administration on Rotary International's 2026–2027 theme, "Create Lasting Impact," emphasising interventions that would continue to benefit communities after her tenure. "Impact is not just about what we do today; it is about what remains tomorrow," she said. She identified disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, water, sanitation and hygiene, economic and community development, environmental protection, basic education and literacy, as well as peace-building and conflict prevention and resolution as priority areas.
Bakare's background in public health would inform the club's health interventions, while its existing economic empowerment initiatives would be expanded. "Drawing from my background in public health, we will strengthen our health advocacy, preventive care, and health and wellness initiatives," she said. On economic empowerment, she said the club would seek to expand its microfinance schemes "to empower local entrepreneurs and alleviate poverty."
The installation came after the club had recorded a series of activities since the beginning of the Rotary year on July 1, including a visit by the District Governor, micro-credit support for entrepreneurs, a health and nutrition seminar at Ifako General Hospital focused on maternal and child health, and sponsorship of more than 10 young participants for the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards programme. The club also received recognition as the first-place Best Supportive Club at RYLA 2026, highlighting its contribution to youth leadership development.
The Investiture Committee Chairman, Fatai Lasisi, said the ceremony represented more than the transfer of leadership. "This investiture is not just about celebrating a new president; it is about renewing our commitment to Service Above Self and mobilising greater support for projects that will create lasting impact in our communities," Lasisi said. He urged individuals, organisations and friends of Rotary to join in making the new chapter remarkable.
The fundraising component of the event was targeted at supporting the club's interventions in healthcare, education, youth and women empowerment, environmental sustainability and community development. With Bakare at the helm, the Rotary Club of Omole-Golden has positioned itself to deepen its community impact, leveraging the expertise and passion of a leader who has spent over a decade in the Rotary family and has dedicated her professional life to public health.
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