Above the Common Standards of Excellence — Mayokun Adeoti

Being text of the acceptance speech and Inaugural Address by Mr. Mayokun Adeoti as 2022 National President of the YALI RLC Alumni Association, Nigeria on Sunday 2nd January, 2022.

Dear Members of YALI RLC Alumni Nigeria,

Representatives of YALI RLC West Africa Accra, Ghana,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today marks the beginning of a new administration for our beloved association.

I am grateful to God and to everyone who deemed me worthy to serve in the capacity as National President for the year 2022.

By the special grace of God, I will not let you down.

On behalf of the newly sworn in National Officers, and the entire National Executive Council, by the special grace of God, we shall not let you down.

In the coming weeks, the new Leadership team will be rolling out agendas, plans and strategies for the year.

Many of us, myself inclusive never knew a body such as the RLC Alumni Association existed while undergoing the YALI RLC West Africa, Accra, Ghana program.

Infact, I never knew there was as Alumni Body until over a year after completing the program.

Since learning about, and officially being a part of this great Association, I have served for two consecutive years at the regional level.

First, as the communication director for YALI RLC Alumni Nigeria, Southwest Region, then as the Regional Coordinator for the North Central Region.

I try my best whenever and wherever I am called to service, to leave no stone unturned in making a positive impact.

I believe, that, to a large extent, the demonstration of capacity while serving in these positions is why many have chosen to elect me to serve as the 2022 National President, YALI RLC Alumni Association of Nigeria.

I do not take this for granted.

Thanks for the rare honor and privilege.

As you already know, this is going to be a journey in Leadership Skills, a journey in Administrative Skills, a journey in Interpersonal Skills, for the new Leadership team, and everyone of us.

It is going to be a journey in team building, teamwork and community building. And I am so excited about what the newly sworn in National Executive Council would achieve together.

I am also pretty excited about what this community of vibrant young leaders, known as YALI RLC Alumni Association of Nigeria would achieve together, this year 2022 and beyond.

The time has come for us to make an indelible mark in the sands of time.

YALI RLC Alumni Association of Nigeria is the future Nigeria has been waiting for.

We are not only the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today!

The time has come for us to take up the challenges of transformational leadership that our nation Nigeria, and our continent Africa dearly needs.

If Africa is going to rise, then it’s up to us.

It’s up to everyone of us to take noble steps that can turn the mistakes of the past into miracles in the present, and the future.

It’s up to you and I to challenge norms, traditions, systems and everything that has held us captive and slowed our growth and development as a people.

It’s up to you and I, leaders of today, to dream new dreams, and see new visions of the Africa we want.

Fellow young leaders, it’s up to you, and it’s up to me, to put in the work, to make our dreams become a glorious reality.

If it’s to be, then it’s up to us!

I call on every member of this great association to lead, wherever you are.

In closing this speech, I want to appreciate the tireless efforts of the outgoing team led by Rauf Ahmed Abodunrin Ishola.

Your work and sweat for this great association will never be in vain.

The new team will build on from where you left off. Thanks for passing the torch.

For those who do not know, it was Rauf Ahmed Ishola who got me started on this journey of service within the RLC Alumni Association when he appointed me as the communication director for the Southwest Region three years ago. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve, and learn from you.

Truly, there is power in association.

Big thanks to all the past Presidents and Executives at the National and Regional levels.

This new team shall be building upon the foundations which you have laid.

Thanks to YALI RLC West Africa, Accra, Ghana for the world class training we have all received, and for following up with our progress as an Alumni body. You are breeding champions that you will surely be proud of.

Thanks to the Government of the United States of America for this laudable Initiative — the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which is building the new generation of Leaders across Africa. You can be rest assured, that we are your partners in progress for humanity.

Thank you very much, Esteemed Members of YALI RLC Alumni Nigeria.

The theme for the year shall be: “above the common standards of excellence”.

God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.