If this were a photo album, the first page would certainly feature highlights from JCIN FUNAAB’s 32nd Annual Convention and 33rd Investiture, held on December 16, 2023. Beaming smiles from Jaycees across Nigeria, alongside the warm camaraderie shared with guests and friends, would leap off the pages. However, the centrepiece would be a striking image of Oluwasegunfunmi Bello-Ayo being adorned with the chain of office, freshly off Miss Racheal Fanifosi’s neck.
Beyond that defining moment that marked the formal transition of power from Miss Fanifosi to Mr Bello-Ayo — who assumed office as the 33rd President of JCIN FUNAAB — there would be another standout image that featured the then-new Local Organisation President (LOP), Oluwasegunfunmi, being flanked by the Vice President Samuel Ajasa and Executive Vice President Ruth Adekunle.
This three-person executive board, supported by the Immediate Past President (IPP) Racheal Fanifosi and other former leaders, assembled a team of 22 directors. Together, this 26-person leadership structure steered the organisation through a series of impactful projects, some of which are outlined below.
General Assembly Advancement
In line with constitutional requirements, JCIN FUNAAB maintained its tradition of four business meetings per semester to further enhance the growth of our member-driven community. Over the course of two semesters in 2024, we held nine business meetings — five virtually, four physically, and a concluding Annual General Meeting. These meetings not only facilitated organisational governance but also served as platforms for networking and continuous learning.
Each meeting duly featured insightful training by professionals from various industries, providing members with practical knowledge beyond classroom walls.
An important highlight this year was the second edition of Law School — a program designed to enhance members’ understanding of parliamentary procedures, mediation, and negotiation. Spearheaded by General Legal Counsel Adegoke Naheemat, the initiative benefited about 45 participants, including members of JCIN FUNAAB and the general public, by improving their grasp of constitutional matters and the corporate world’s principles.
Personal and Skills Development
Recognising that the relevance of any organisation hinges on the growth of its members, JCIN FUNAAB placed a strong emphasis on personal and professional development in 2024 through thoughtfully curated programs.
Steered by the Directors of Skills Development, Favour Odedele and Daniel Araromi, four flagship projects were executed.
- Officers’ Training School (OTS): A leadership program tailored to equip the Board of Directors with essential governance and management skills.
- Pennwywise: A financial literacy training in collaboration with Cowrywise, providing participants with practical knowledge on budgeting, investments, and navigating Nigeria’s challenging economy.
- Pound Sapa: A skill-building initiative aimed at equipping both JCIN FUNAAB members and non-members with in-demand skills for personal and professional development.
- Journeys in Development: A bi-monthly newsletter offering personal growth tips and career advice.
These programs were executed with the support of partners like Cowrywise and Loudda, alongside collaboration from the Directorate of Communication (DOC).
The DOC, led by Oluwadamilare Tayo and Oluwayimika Abolarin, also contributed to personal development with SPEAK! 2.0 — a public speaking and personal development workshop. This event helped members and the wider FUNAAB community enhance their presentation and public speaking skills.
Membership Growth and Retention
Membership growth and retention were top priorities for the 2024 administration. Under the leadership of Opeyemi Akanji and David Agbaje, the Directorate of Growth and Retention launched Wetin Be JCI? — a virtual campaign aimed at educating the public about JCI, dispelling myths, and attracting genuinely interested individuals.
This initiative, alongside other efforts, led to the induction of 36 new members during the first induction phase. A second recruitment phase is currently underway to onboard new members.
To foster member engagement and strengthen bonds, the administration prioritised social activities and participation in key events. The Directorate of Travels and Tours, managed by Juwon Akindele and Victoria James for the LO year, organised the JCIN FUNAAB Olumo ko and facilitated members’ attendance at the International Women’s Day event hosted by JCIN Abeokuta.
They also coordinated our presence at the 2024 Collegiate Conference in Ilorin, ensuring members remained actively connected to the broader JCI community.
Members’ Health and Social Well-being
In addition to efforts by the Directorate of Welfare, JCIN FUNAAB upheld its tradition of hosting a week-long Health Week to promote healthy lifestyles.
The 2024 Health Week, championed by Rokeebat Adeniyi, featured physical and virtual sessions with health professionals, providing practical insights into wellness and self-care.
The program concluded with a cinema night, offering members a relaxed environment to unwind and bond.
Ultimately, this retrospective captures only a glimpse of the efforts, moments, and experiences that have made the 2024 LO Year memorable for JCIN FUNAAB. The 2024 LO year concluded with the sixth edition of the Future Leaders Summit (FLS), the Fifteen Outstanding Young Persons Awards (FOYPA), and the 33rd Convention and 34th Investiture. These events took centre stage on Saturday, August 26, when the LO ushered in the Folu Ogunsilu-led administration.
