FAREWELL SPEECH PRESENTED BY MAYOKUN ADEOTI, 2022 NATIONAL PRESIDENT, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 2023 NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF YALI RLC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NIGERIA ON 2ND JANUARY, 2023.

Dear Dependable Partners,

Today as I pass on the Mantle of Leadership of this Great Association to the Next President, I am truly grateful to you all for giving me the lifetime opportunity to serve.

When we took over the steering of affairs of YALI RLC Alumni Association Nigeria at about this time exactly a year ago, the mandate was clear — raise the standard beyond what is common. We thus took off with the theme “Above the Common Standards of Excellence”.

I was particularly fortunate to be a member of the outgoing National Executive council then, having served as the regional coordinator for the North Central Region, so I had very good grasps of our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

I immediately set out to complete a very germane business of the Association, which is the creation of a Constitution that was acceptable to all. This project had been in the works through three successive administrations, and I am happy that through a dint of focused and dedicated work, the Constitution Review Committee set up by this administration was able to deliver a document that received an almost 100% “Yay” on adoption day.

We didn’t stop there but took it a step further by attempting to legalize our community operations. Having realized that there is just so much that can be achieved in future if we remain an unregistered body, we made ample efforts to become an Incorporated entity. I am particularly excited that through your faith in the National Executive Council, we were able to set up a Board of Trustees made up of some eminent members, raised funds from members, enjoyed a free service from a member who happened to be a Legal professional, and today Young African Leaders Initiative RLC Alumni Association Nigeria is an Incorporated Trustee with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria with Registration Number 183417.

We did not stop there. In the month of November, we held the Maiden National Conference of this visionary Association. It was a gathering like never before. Members showed up at the beautiful venue of Digital Bridge Institute Oshodi, Lagos State from all over Nigeria. We had delegates fly in from many countries of the world to grace this special occasion. It was a “five years ago” written vision finally becoming reality. The conference was a hit and had many firsts.

Still on firsts. In celebrating the International Youth Day in August 2022, we went beyond and above board to convey events in Lagos and Abuja simultaneously to commemorate the day, and broke away from the tradition of our programs always being a YALI ecosystem affair. I am happy that this association was able to enjoy the cooperation and solidarity of other US Exchange Alumni Association who took out time of their busy schedules to celebrate with us, and share from their robust wealth of knowledge and experience. Today we enjoy a cordial relationship with IVLP, HHHF, AWE, TechWomen, MWF, USGEAA, US Mission Nigeria, YALI RLC Accra etc, and we hope to keep building and strengthening the ties.

I cannot recount all the projects and programs we had this year, as it was back-to-back. No month went without YALI RLC Alumni Association Nigeria making an impact in our communities — Either at National Level or at the Regions. A quick peek into our social media engagements will testify to you that this has been a year of vision and passionate impact. Our annual report will furnish you with even finer details.

Many thanks to the best team ever liveth — the 2022 National Executive Council, and a 3000+ membership that stood by us through thick and thin, emerging young leaders making palpable difference in our various fields of endeavor every day.

I truly appreciate your love and support. Thanks for praising us when we needed to be praised and thanks for criticizing us when we needed to be criticized. We remain united in our focus to produce the best kind of leaders for our continent Africa.

Many thanks to our families, friends, sponsors, partners, and helpers. We couldn’t have made it without your support.

Many thanks to those who have served this association before us, and passed on the torch. Many thanks to those receiving the torch today.

Please permit me to take a bow as I pass on this flaming torch to the Benjamin Aren led 2023 National Executive Council.

Dependable partners, the same way you supported me and the 2022 National Executive Council, which gave us wings to fly, please give them your full, unalloyed and unflinching support.

To the incoming team, Congratulations to you all. I wish you Monumental Success as you pilot the affairs of this Organization. You have my support always.

Long Live YALI RLC Alumni Association Nigeria.

May God bless you all.

Thanks for listening.

Yours in Service,

Mayokun Adeoti

2022 National President

YALI RLC Alumni Association Nigeria