Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s former vice-president, on Friday, said that institutions and communities move forward when vision is matched by execution. He said this at the Rotary Club Abuja Metro 17th President Investiture, Fundraising and Book Lunch, which ended in the early hours of Friday in Abuja.

The former vice-president added that the greatest legacy in leadership was not what was accumulated but what was contributed to make life better for all.

Mr Osinbajo was represented at the ceremony by Adeola Ipaye, a former deputy chief of staff to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and a former attorney general and commissioner for justice of Lagos. 

He congratulated the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and its new chairman, Michael Oluwagbemi, saying it was a distinct honour and pleasure to serve as chairman of the occasion.

He thanked the club’s immediate past president, Fredrick Odika, and the entire outgoing leadership for their dedicated service during the previous Rotary year.

“You have kept the flame of service burning brightly, and for that we are grateful,” he said.

Mr Osinbajo expressed confidence in Mr Oluwagbemi’s commitment to nation-building and practical leadership, saying he had known him for years.

“Whether in engineering, entrepreneurship or public service, Oluwagbemi has consistently approached leadership as an opportunity to solve problems and improve lives.

“Those who worked with him in government will attest to his energy, professionalism and unwavering commitment to getting things done. It is therefore fitting that his investiture is accompanied by a book titled ‘Blueprints for Progress’.

“Institutions and communities move forward when vision is matched by execution, and that is the enduring message of both the book and the life of its author,” Mr Osinbajo said.

The former vice-president said the ceremony was remarkable because it celebrated leadership through the investiture of a new president of one of Rotary’s most vibrant clubs. He said it celebrated service by recognising distinguished Nigerians whose lives reminded us that the greatest legacy was not what we accumulated but what we contributed.

This, Mr Osinbajo said, was the essence of Rotary, recalling that for over 120 years, it had quietly demonstrated that while governments made policies, it was often citizens working together in service who made communities flourish. He noted that across the world, Rotarians had built schools, restored hope, promoted peace, improved healthcare, fought disease and strengthened communities.

“Not because they were compelled to do so, but because they believed it was the right thing to do,” the former vice-president said.

(NAN)