Ibru To Deliver Keynote Address At West Africa Project Fair Opening Plenary

Chairman of Ikeja Hotel Plc, Goodie Ibru, is set to deliver the keynote address at the opening plenary of the West Africa Project Fair (WAPF) 2026, as Rotary International intensifies preparations for the flagship regional event.

Dr Ibru, a legal practitioner and Principal Partner at G.M Ibru & Co, is a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s corporate and legal landscape.

He obtained his LL.B from the University of London in 1965 and was called to both the English and Nigerian Bars in 1966 and 1968 respectively. A former President of the Rotary Club of Lagos from 1987 to 1988, he currently serves on the boards of several notable organisations.

The West Africa Project Fair 2026 is scheduled to hold from November 10 to 14 at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, a venue selected to host exhibitions and international participants.

The event, a major Rotary International initiative, will bring together Rotary leaders, development agencies, corporate organisations, donor institutions, government stakeholders, and non-governmental organisations from over 15 West African countries.

It is designed to showcase community-based projects and attract funding, partnerships, and technical support.

During a courtesy visit by the WAPF Host organising committee on April 7, Dr Ibru commended Rotary for its sustained contributions to global philanthropy, particularly through the rotary foundation, which he noted has supported humanitarian projects and infrastructure development across communities.

“Rotary is doing great work in the area of philanthropy, providing funds through the Rotary Foundation to support humanitarian projects and deliver both physical and social infrastructure for the development of mankind,” he said.

He also encouraged stronger collaboration with continental development frameworks, suggesting that Rotary explore partnerships with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, an initiative of the African Union aimed at fostering economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction across Africa.

According to him, such partnerships could further enhance the impact of Rotary’s interventions, particularly in addressing unemployment and driving sustainable development across the continent.

The Host Organising Committee for WAPF 2026 is jointly chaired by Past District Governors Omotunde Lawson and Adefemi Adenekan, while the event will be co-hosted by Rotary District 9111 and Rotary District 9112 under the leadership of District Governors Bukola Bakare and Layi Abidoye.

Organisers disclosed that the fair will feature project exhibitions, cultural exchanges, and site visits, with a focus on key sectors such as water, education, and healthcare. Participating clubs have been encouraged to develop Global Grant projects and take advantage of planned training sessions to enhance their proposals.

Only 70 exhibition booths will be available for participating districts across West Africa, with allocation to be done on a first come, first served basis.

The 2026 edition is expected to build on the success of previous fairs and further strengthen Rotary’s development footprint in the region through innovation, collaboration, and sustained commitment to service.