Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro empowers 64 Lagos artisans with tools worth N15m, supporting skills development and boosting community livelihoods.

Lagos, Nigeria — The Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro has brought new hope to Lagos communities by empowering 64 artisans with professional tools and equipment valued at N15 million.

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The event, held on Saturday, 1 November 2025, at St. Gregory’s Girls Primary School, Ikoyi, was part of the club’s Community Economic Development (Empowerment) Programme, aligning with Rotary International’s mission to promote economic growth, social resilience, and inclusive development.

Over 64 semi-skilled residents, selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants, received equipment tailored to their trades. Beneficiaries included:

1.  Tailors
2.  Barbers and hairdressers
3.  Bakers
4.  Shoemakers
5.  Welders

Each participant was selected through a rigorous, transparent process to ensure genuine need.

The event drew prominent Rotary leaders, including:

• District Governor-Elect, Rotarian Layi Abidoye
• District Rotaract Representative, Atitebi Ismail Abiodun
• Immediate Past DRR, Adekeye Fathia

Speaking on the initiative, Immediate Past President, Rotarian Gbolahan Adeyinka, revealed that the project was conceived during the 2024/25 Rotary year but expanded this year to reach more beneficiaries:

“This initiative is one of Rotary’s key focus areas. We couldn’t execute it last year due to time constraints, but we’re glad to have scaled it up this time to reach more people.”

United President, Rotarian Alex Chukwu, highlighted the practical nature of the empowerment programme:

“We decided to invest directly in people. By equipping them with tools, we’re reducing poverty, taking idle hands off the streets, and creating a ripple effect in the community.”

Chukwu also encouraged beneficiaries interested in further professional development to join the Rotaract Club currently being chartered.

Rotarian Abidoye praised the initiative, saying:

“Ikoyi Metro has consistently been a shining example within Rotary. Their projects are audacious and life-transforming, and this empowerment drive proves once again why they’re the pride of our district.”

For over two decades, the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro has sustained impactful community service, including:

•  Empowerment projects at correctional centres
•  Student scholarships
•  Renovation of a N100 million general hospital

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This latest programme further cements the club’s commitment to uplifting communities, fostering skills development, and enhancing livelihoods in Lagos State.