Rotarian Steven inaugurated 6th President Rotary Club of Abuja Gwagwalada, proposes projects worth N13m

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Rotarian Steven, right, with a guest during his investiture as Rotary President of Abuja, Gwagwalada

By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

Rotarian Ayodele Kehinde Steven has been inaugurated as the 6th President of Rotary Club of Abuja, Gwagwalada, for 2023/24 Rotary Year where he rolled out proposed projects worth N13 million.

It was a well-attended investiture over the weekend at the School of Intensive Care Nursing main hall at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.

Present and past Rotarian presidents, Rotarians and Rotaracts graced the occasion with many other guests in attendance.

According to Rotarian Steven, the projects are in basic education and literacy, water sanitation, maternal and child health care where door-to-door Polio vaccination and Polio Plus are expected to be administered and economic and community development.

Others are peace and conflict resolution through organization of peace walks and encouraging alternate dispute resolution (ADR), protecting the environment through tree planting, and enhancing Rotary, Rotaract and Interact membership growth among others.

In his formal acceptance speech, Rotarian Steven pointing out providence beacons on him to take the mantle of leadership as only joined the club March 1, 2022.

He said leadership responsibilities are beyond acceptance, a leader must be seen to be leading and providing leadership is the highest form and the cheapest thing a leader could afford.

Rotarian Steven was born on February 18 while his twin brother had already arrived on the 17 of same month, 1981.

Their late parents Mr. Michael and Florence Ayodele were from Ikoro and Ijero of Ekiti State.

Rotarian Steven attended Oke Elerin Primary School, Oke Elerin but completed his primary education in Methodist Primary School Arowomole Ogbomoso in 1992 while the Secondary Education was obtained in Baptist High School Arowomole, Ogbomoso in 1998.

Within the period of Secondary Education, young Ayo enrolled himself in one of the modern photo studios of the time and as an apprentice learnt and mastered the art of photography both black and white screen printing.

He gained admission into St. Andrews College of Education, Oyo, now Ajayi Crowther University and studied Agricultural Science (Double Major).

While undergoing his education in Isokun campus of the School, he was a campus photographer of highest reputation also the Commander in Chief of NOWMOCHIN Man-O-War enforcing discipline and keeping the campus safe from all form of vices and campus-related violent groups.

He completed his education in 2003 and immediately got enlisted into the newly passed to law security organisation by the President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Steven became a volunteer staff of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in 2003 and was immediately drafted to serve as the official photographer to the first Commandant-General of the Corps, late Bola Atunramu.

He served in this position until his full enlistment in 2005 ushering in the appointment of Dr. Ade Abolunrin who also re-appointed him as his personal photographer and videographer and immediately sent him to the Republic of South Africa to further study photography to become more suitable for the job.

Steven served in the Public Relations Department of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for 10 years in various capacities including OC Camera crew, OC press, Lead correspondent for NSCDC the “Defenders magazine” and of course, the production officer of same magazine.

All these performances were made easy by his enrolment at the International Institute of Journalism Abuja where he obtained Higher Diploma in Journalism 2009, Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism 2010 and 2nd post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and advertising in 2011.

While graduating from journalism school in 2011, Steven and some of his classmates were considered to publish a life accomplishment magazine for the then chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo.

As NSCDC officer, Steven rose through the ranks from the scratch as an Inspector of Corps at VIP candidate’s entry and has served in various capacities and State Commands of the Corps as follows: Officer in Charge, Intelligence operations, Gwagwalada Division of FCT Command, Officer in Charge NSCDC Intelligence covert unit, National Assembly.

He was the first O.C to arm 6 members of the unit and also secure for the very first time an official deployment of NSCDC Intelligence operatives to legislative offices both in the Senate and House of Reps. Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House and Deputy Speaker offices.

He was in the same year appointed the legislative attaché to the Chairman Senate Committee on Interior, deployed directly to the office of the Clerk, Senate Committee on Interior.

In this capacity, the young officer was responsible for the day-to-day activities of three Senate Committee Chairmen of Interior until his official request for transfer to Anambra State Command.

Steven served in Nasarawa and Bayelsa State Commands of the Corps as Operations officer both on land and water areas in the case of Bayelsa State and recorded great operational successes while in those states.

Upon movement to Delta State Command, the officer served as the arms Commander in various Shell NPDC onshore and offshore locations, few amongst them at Yokiri comprising Obotobo 1 and 2, Soukobolo manifolds 1-9, Otumara comprising Madahor, Aruntor, Agor 1 to 5, Zagara and Shell beach oceans till Gbaramatu kingdom.

He was also armed beats Supervisor covering the whole of Asaba till boundaries of Benin, Edo State, Divisional Officer of Udu LGA Otor-Udu, Warri North LGA Koko and Acting Divisional Officer Ethiope West LGA Oghara.

He has also served in Kogi State and has participated in several joint operations. Rotarian Steven is currently serving at the National Headquarters of the Corps.