• Division achieves multiple layers of excellence under exceptional leadership
• Surulere Toastmasters Named Club of the Year
The Division Excellence Award Recognition (DEAR) 2025 ended successfully on June 21, 2025, at the prestigious Providence Hotel in GRA, Ikeja, bringing together over 100 communication and leadership experts for an evening of celebration and recognition.
The event was held to celebrate the achievements in exceptional communication, leadership, and service by Toastmasters in Division D during the past Toastmasters year, spanning July 2024 to June 2025.
The glamorous event, hosted by Toastmasters Nigeria Division D, showcased the division’s remarkable transformation and multiple achievements under the exceptional stewardship of Division Director Ayotola Olanrewaju, DTM.
The evening highlighted the organisation’s continued commitment to developing exceptional public speaking and leadership skills across Lagos State and beyond.
She delivered an inspiring keynote address that captured the evening’s spirit: “As we celebrate tonight, let us remember that the real reward lies not in the recognition itself, but in the impact.
Let this event ignite a renewed sense of purpose in us all, to lead with intention, to communicate with empathy, and to serve our communities with passion.”
The event was graced by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, who represented the governor at the ceremony.
In his remark, Fashola commended Toastmasters for their dedication to developing leadership and communication skills.
“The leadership and communication skills that Toastmasters develop are exactly what Lagos and Nigeria need more of,” Fashola stated, emphasising the organisation’s critical role in national development.
The event was further honoured by the presence of TM Kayode Yussuf, District Director of Toastmaster’s District 130, who emphasised the critical role of leadership in today’s economy.
“Leadership is the key bedrock of today’s economy,” Yussuf declared, charging participants to “continue to lead and volunteer selflessly” in their communities and professional endeavours.
Surulere Toastmasters Club was crowned Club of the Year, while Reuben Uzor received the coveted Toastmaster of the Year award, recognising outstanding individual achievement in communication and leadership development.
The evening featured a compelling debate on the timely topic: “AI will take more jobs than it creates,” providing attendees with diverse perspectives on artificial intelligence’s impact on the Nigerian workforce and economy.
DEAR 2025 was made possible through the generous support of key partners, including Seamless HR, Brand Eye, Carat, Kemeesther Schools, Smile 360, Kakulus Capital, and Atmosphere Marketing, demonstrating strong private sector commitment to leadership development in Nigeria.
About Toastmasters Nigeria Division D Division D is a distinguished Division under District 130 of Toastmasters International, dedicated to developing communication, public speaking and leadership skills through structured programmes and mentorship.
The 15 clubs that comprise Division D include Eagle Toastmasters Club, Surulere Toastmasters Club, Lighthouse Toastmasters Club, Seaside Toastmasters Club, Merit Toastmasters Club, Ikeja Toastmasters Club, Lighthouse Prestige Toastmasters Club, AWN Toastmasters Club,
TotalEnergies Lagos Toastmasters Club, Learntor Toastmasters Club, PSSDC Toastmasters Club, Sunshine Festac Toastmasters Club, Energy Toastmasters Club, CCC Toastmasters Club, Stanbic IBTC Bank Toastmasters Club.
