He remained involved with the African PolioPlus Committee until his last days. Majiyagbe has left an indelible legacy for us in Rotary. He joined the first Rotary club in Nigeria, RC Kano in 1967, six years after its charter in 1961. By his exemplary service he rose to be appointed to the RI board of directors in 1988. As a past director, he was assigned to represent the Rotary president at a district conference in India. RC Bhuj in Kutch, RID 3050, sponsored a primary school there named after his spouse Ade Majiyagbe. He was nominated RI president in 2001 for 2003–04. Unfortunately, his wife Ade took seriously ill and despite her treatment in London, passed away in May, 2003. He was the principal partner of JB Majiyagbe & Co; a law firm he established in 1971. Despite his
He will be remembered for moving the motion to admit women into Rotary at the CoL in 1989, and putting the family at the core of all Rotary activities.
brilliance as a solicitor and advocate, he is well known for advising the path of arbitration long before it became fashionable, even though it would have been more profitable for his law firm to pursue litigation. He was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1980, the first practising legal professional in Northern Nigeria to be so elevated.
In recognition of his numerous contributions to legal advocacy and humanity, Majiyagbe was conferred with the national honour — Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR). A truly de-tribalised Nigerian, he spoke the Hausa and Igbo language fluently apart from his native Yoruba. A devout Christian, he sponsored many Muslims to Mecca for the holy pilgrimage. He is survived by his wife Ayo Majiyagbe and son Folorunsho Majiyagbe. The Rotary world would mourn his loss, as we all pray for his soul to rest in peace. (Written with support from PDG Tunji Funsho Chair, Rotary Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee) The writer is a past RI president
RC Madras North honours women achievers Team Rotary News
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o honour the leadership of RI President Jennifer Jones, and celebrate her theme Imagine Rotary, RC Madras North, RID 3232, instituted the Imagine Award of Excellence for the Rotary year 2022–23. This award recognises women leaders who have made exceptional contributions in alignment with Rotary’s seven areas of focus. PDG ISAK Nazar was the chief guest at the Paavai Women’s Conclave. Seven women — Kirthi
Jayakumar, founder, Gender Security Project; Dr Manorama, founder, Community Health Education Society; Padmapriya T S, chief executive, Sanitation First India; Dr Umaiyal Murugesan, managing director, Sri Kumaran Hospitals; Aruna Subramaniam, managing trustee, Bhoomika Trust; Madhu Saran, founder, River NGO; and S Padma Priya, founder, Vidhai Vidhaipom — were honoured with the Rotary awards.
PDG I SAK Nazar presents the award to Dr P Manorama, founder, Community Health Education Society, in the presence of RC Madras North president Anand Saravanaraj (L) and secretary G Vijayaraghavan. JULY 2023
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