Close Up On Rotarian Omotunde Lawson FCAI: The Game Changer Taking On Rotary District 9110’s 42nd And First Female District Governor Title
It’s a man’s world, men have undoubtedly been placed on a pedestal, as the only sex deserving of certain “privileges” but then again, one look around, and you find
that ugly narrative gradually changing. Tremendous strides have been recorded and yes, it shows just how much it is a man’s world as it is a woman’s.
Women now have choices! No longer are women viewed as mere commodities, undeserving of equal opportunities, education, respect, and a voice in leadership.
A woman can achieve just as much as anything she places her mind to, whether scaling the ranks career-wise, unapologetically taking on male-dominated fields, or spreading onto new horizons in entrepreneurship.
For decades, glaring proof has showcased their ability to don different hats, merging career life with family, somehow managing to pull it all off, but without even the least bit of recognition, thankfully it’s all changing. Women now own their independence and awesome unapologetically!
Now, more than ever before, the pay scale is being leveled accordingly, albeit grudgingly, given the capability and inestimable influence of women leadership in visibly all areas of endeavor, where greater gender diversity thrives, boosting creativity, productivity, and profitability, begging for the dire to thrash baseless dictates and #EmpowerHer for the utmost transformation of society and our world.
With a lens on bettering our world, humanitarian organization, Rotary International, a global network of like-minded individuals committed to problem-solving, and taking action to create lasting change across the globe via sustainable projects touching on six main areas: Peace, conflict prevention, and resolution, maternal and child health education and economic empowerment, water sanitation, disease prevention, and treatment is well renowned for kick-starting life-changing campaigns, from literacy and peace to water and health, and counting.
Rotary International isn’t just active on the world stage but across various countries, Nigeria inclusive.
Rotaract District 9110, Nigeria, a youth-based humanitarian service organization officially born on 9th May 1984, has applaudably taken on a variety of projects including powering literacy, youth and women empowerment, water, sanitation and hygiene, A Pad for the Girl Child amongst others.
An arm of Rotary Club International, joining efforts to boost female leadership, the organization is set to crown its first District governor in the person of seasoned educationist, Proprietor, and CEO of The Christhill Schools, Lagos, Nigeria,
Mrs. Omotunde Olayinka Lawson.
An Ibadan indigene, Lawson 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 tertiary education at
Oshun and Oyo (ELOOOO) states.
The foremost educationist boasts 35 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, more than 20 of which she served as principal.
Highly driven and reputed for her hard work and impeccable character, she launched her professional career after gaining employment into Lagos State teaching service in February 1982 as a biology teacher later becoming a School Principal in 1993 at the age of 37, her hard work and dedication saw her promoted to post of Director of Education in 2008.
Rotarian Omotunde Lawson FCAI
served the Lagos State Government for 35 years, rewriting history as the longest-serving Principal at the time of her statutory retirement in 2007. In 2014, she was elected the President of her professional body, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Lagos State chapter, a position she held until 2017. She also served as the Chairman of the 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.
In recognition of her stellar accomplishments in the field of Education, the award-winning educationist was in 2018 conferred with the Nigerian Illustrious Women Award (NIWA) by People & Power.
But more than building an intimidating profile career-wise, her yearning towards touching and changing lives led her to be inducted into Rotary club of Lagos West in 2007. Her passion has since over the course of 14 years seen her serve in several capacities and chairman committees to better humanity such as: President Rotary Lagos West, Secretary, ANCOPSS, Surulere Zone (1996–1999); Treasurer/Financial Secretary, Lagos State Principals Cup Committee (1999-2003); Financial Secretary, ANCOPSS, Lagos State (2000 – 2005); Chairman, Committee for the launch of N10million Amuwo Odofin Teachers’ Welfare Scheme (2005); Member 1st Merit Award Committee, Education District V (2008); Member of Panel on Staff Promotion Interviews in Education District V (2005 – 2012); Chairman, ANCOPSS Amuwo Odofin Zone (2012-2014); President, All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Lagos State (Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2017); Chairman, ANCOPSS South West BLOC (2016- Feb. 2017); Member, Amuwo – Odofin Local Government Disaster Management Committee (2013); Member, Governing Council of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (Nov 2014 – Feb. 2017) and Member, State Wing Executive Council of N.U.T Lagos State (Nov. 2014 – Feb. 2017). She also served on many other committees at the Ministry of Education, Teachers’ Establishment and Pensions Office, and Education District V.
Over the years, she has notably powered on project boreholes in schools, sanitation, incubators for premature babies, awarding scholarships, etc.
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. Her club also got a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility award’ from the Lagos State Government For
the laudable projects executed in the education sector.
Pulling off a historic feat, Rotarian Lawson defied the odds to emerge as the first female District Governor Nominee Designate in 2019-2020 to lead Rotary International District 9110 as the Governor in 2022-2023 Rotary year.
An ever-ready creative mind, as part of projects set for implementation, the educationist and humanitarian is set to launch her one in a kind initiative tagged – ‘Koseleri’, which would under the auspices of the Rotarian umbrella unite to celebrate the achievement of women in the organization.
Rotarian Lawson who holds a Master’s degree in Educational Foundations from the University of Lagos (1991), had her tertiary education at the University of Ibadan where she graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education, Zoology, and Botany (2nd Class, Upper Division).
A high achiever, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson FCAI throughout her career has bagged several prestigious awards and accolades such as the Grand Order of Teaching Excellence by Oba of Iganmu and Council of Chiefs (Nov. 1998), Meritorious Service Award by ANCOPSS Lagos State (Feb. 2005), Pragmatic Leader Award by NUT Amuwo-Odofin Branch (Nov. 2006), Best Principal Award (Senior) by Education District V (Feb. 2009), Lagos State Government 2007 Productivity Merit Award (Jan 2011), Most Dynamic State ANCOPSS President Award by Education District V (Apr. 2015), Merit Award As a Molder and Worthy Principal by NUT (Oct. 2015) and Lagos State Long Service Merit Award (June 2016).
She currently serves as a member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (IPAN), and All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS). She is a fellow of the Institute for Corporate Administration (FICA).
A Fellow of the Institute for Corporate Administration (FCAI), Omotunde Lawson is married to Mr. Francis Akingbade Lawson, a banking executive. The pair is blessed with three children and grandchildren.
