RTN OMOTUNDE LAWSON, DISTRICT GOVERNOR, DISTRICT 9110 (2022-2023)

Rotarian Omotunde Lawson fondly called Ayaba hails from Ibadan. She was born into the illustrious family of late Rev. Gabriel Ladokun Lasebikan of Mele Compound, kudeti, Ibadan and Mrs. Grace Jokotade Lasebikan (nee Jones) from Ododibo, Ondo Town on June 3rd, 1957, in Ibadan, Oyo State. She had her primary school education at St Lukes Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan and secondary education at the foremost Anglican girls’ Yejide Girls’ Grammar School also in Molete Ibadan which was founded by her late father and two Others. Her tertiary education was at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan where she graduated in 1979 with bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education, {2nd class, upper div.) She had her National Youth Service at the Postgraduate School, University of Ibadan from 1979 -1980 and later proceeded to the University of Lagos where she bagged her Master's in Educational Foundations, in 1991.

She was employed into Lagos State teaching service in February 1982 as a biology teacher and became a School Principal in 1993 at the age of 37. She was promoted to post of Director of Education in 2008. She served Lagos State Government for 35 years of which 23 years were as School Principal. She was the longest serving Principal at the time of her statutory retirement in 2007.

She also served as the Chairman of Combined All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in Southwest Nigeria which comprises Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oshun and Oyo (ELOOOO) States and served from 2016-2017.

She was appointed and served on the board of the Governing Council of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) now Adeniran Ogunsanya University of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos from 2014-2017. Widely acknowledged and applauded for her hard work and impeccable character, she was elected the President of her professional body, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Lagos State chapter, in 2014 and served until 2017. She led the body to become the most vibrant and outstanding of the 36 chapters in the federation, during her tenure. She also served as a member of Council, State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) from 2014-2017.

She was a recipient of several professional awards from ANCOPSS, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Education Districts and Ministry of Education but cherished most the following:
• ‘Productivity Merit Award’ in (2007), the highest public service award in Lagos State
• Grand Order of Teaching Excellence by Oba of Iganmu and Council of Chiefs (Nov. 1998)
• Best Principal Award by Ministry of Education District 5 (Feb. 2009)
• Most dynamic State ANCOPSS President’s Award by Ministry of Education District (Apr.
2015)
• Integrity -Based Leadership Award given by Ministry of Education District 5 (2016)
• Post- retirement in June 2017, she was recognized for her meritorious service in the
education sector and achievements as Lagos State ANCOPSS and honoured with special Appreciation dinner by the then Lagos State Deputy Governor and Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Education, Mrs Oluranti Adebule. This was unprecedented in the history of ANCOPSS leadership in Lagos State.
• She was an Examiner with West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) for two decades.

She is a Fellow of the Institute for Corporate Administration. (FCAI)
She was presented with ‘Nigerian Illustrious Women Award’ (NIWA) by Peoples & Power Communications in 2018.
An exemplary teacher and administrator, Mrs. Lawson is the currently the Proprietor and CEO of one the leading coeducational nursery, primary and secondary schools in Lagos - The Christhill Schools, Amuwo Odofin which has been in operation since 1996.

ROTARY ACTIVITIES
She was inducted into Rotary club of Lagos West in 2007 and within her 14 years in Rotary, she has served in different capacities and chairman of committees within her club.

In her year as President in 2012-13, she won the ‘Best Club President Award’ in District 9110 and led her club to win the District’s 2nd Best overall Club’ award and five other District awards.

Ayaba as fondly called attended well over 100 local professional and management conferences, seminars, and workshops all over the federation while in service as well as professional international Conferences of Principals across different continents.

Her club also got a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility award’ from the Lagos State Government for the laudable projects executed in the education sector.

She shattered the glass ceiling to emerge the first female District Governor Nominee Designate in 2019-2020 to lead Rotary International District 9110 as the Governor in 2022-2023 Rotary year. Prior to this history making feat, she served at the District in the following roles.

District Committees Chair consecutively in (2013-2014), (2014-2015), (2015-2016) and (2016-2017) Rotary year.
Vice Chairman of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) committee (2013-2014) Vice Chairman, (2018-2019), Vice-Chairman Million Dollar (2019-2020)

She was an Assistant Governor in 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 when she was the captain of the class.
District Governor Nominee Designate and Chair, Youth Protection committee: (2019-2020) District Governor Nominee: (2020-2021)
District Governor Elect: (2021-2022)

She is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), a faculty member and a Facilitator. She served as secretary of District 9110 RLI from (2018-2021).

She is a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers.
She was in February 2021 presented with a Recognition Award for humanitarian service by the National Governing Body of Inner Wheel Clubs in Nigeria.

She is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI and a trained Faculty Member and a facilitator. She served as Secretary, District 9110 RLI from 2018-2021.

She is a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation and a Benefactor. She is also an individual donor to District Educational Welfare and Endowment Fund (DEWEF) and a passionate contributor to Polio Plus.
She has been a regular attendee at District Seminars and trainings since joining Rotary.

She has attended all District Conferences since being inducted into Rotary in 2007 and twelve international conventions.
She has also attended West Africa Project Fairs (WAPF), Rotary Institutes and Presidential Conferences. She is a member of Cadre of Technical Advisers of The Rotary Foundation.

She has contributed to the advancement of Rotary in several ways both in program participation and funding.As a Past Peace President, she is a member of Rotarian Action Group for Peace. She is a donor to Peace Centre, Makerere University, Uganda, a member of Rotarian Action Group for Hearing and a life member of Rotarian Action group for blindness Prevention.

She is the Southwest zone coordinator of Rotarian Action group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) and the Zone membership Chair.

She is a recipient of several humanitarian, service, and appreciation Awards from Rotary, Rotaract and Inner Wheel clubs and other organizations.

She is an educator per excellence, trainer of trainers, motivator, integrous, detribalized, a team player, role model to many, meticulous worker and of impeccable character.

Her passion to impact others positively is noteworthy. She loves to train and be trained. She has been a regular attendee at all District trainings and workshops since she became a Rotarian, and she also makes herself available to impact knowledge into others at any time she is called upon. She was an Anglican by birth but a Roman Catholic by marriage. A pioneer member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Amuwo Odofin, where she pioneered the founding of Catholic Teachers Association and was the first President. She was a member of the Pastoral church council for six years. She also served as President of Confraternity of Christian Mothers and is currently a life patroness. She is married to Mr. Francis Akingbade Lawson, a Banking & Finance graduate of the University of Lagos and MBA graduate of the University of Ibadan, with over two decades of banking experience at management and executive levels in both commercial and merchant banking.

Both are blessed with three resourceful children, Olaolu married to Olawale Ajibola, Olabanke married to Olawale Oki-Balogun and Akinbowale married to Tolani and adorable grandchildren; ALL are Paul Harris Fellows.

She is a passionate lover of organ music, plays table tennis and snooker, loves tourism especially boat cruises.