Sometimes the most powerful changes happen when passionate people come together with a shared mission to serve. That's exactly what's unfolding in Lagos, where the Rotary Club of Banana Island is rewriting the playbook on community impact in record time.

Elder Urum Kalu Eke, fondly known as UK Eke, could easily be enjoying a quiet retirement after stepping down as Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc in 2021. Instead, the Executive Chairman of Fairchild Group has channeled his energy into something far more fulfilling: transforming lives through service. As Charter President of the newly established Rotary Club of Banana Island, chartered in June 2025, Eke is leading a team of spirited Rotarians who share his infectious enthusiasm for making a difference.

What makes this club special isn't just what they've accomplished, but how quickly they've done it. In a mere six months, they've touched countless lives across schools, hospitals, and marketplaces throughout Lagos. Their secret? A youthful, vibrant energy that transcends age. "Our vibe is youthful even though some of us are well over 50 years, fun and vibrant, while we remain dogged about achieving our goals and impacting our space," the club proudly declares.

The healthcare sector has been a major beneficiary of their generosity. The club donated critical medical equipment to strengthen the Ophthalmology Department at General Hospital, Lagos. At the General Hospital in Onikan, they provided a Unit Automated Immuno-Assay Analyser and three Units Vital Signs Monitor with stand. But their compassion extends beyond machines. They also donated nutritional supplements to pre-term and underweight babies, along with clothing items for infants born to mothers who couldn't afford them, ensuring these tiny lives get the healthiest possible start.

Education has equally captured the club's attention. At Kuramo Schools on Victoria Island, they organized an inspiring essay competition that sparked creativity among students. The club donated whiteboards to Kuramo Senior Secondary School and signage to Kuramo Junior Secondary School. Students were delighted when Eke himself picked up a marker, becoming what they described as "the biggest executive teacher they had ever encountered." The club also contributed 250,000 Naira to Banana Island International School, investing in the next generation's bright future.

The Ripple Effect

Perhaps most transformative is the club's commitment to economic empowerment. In partnership with FCMB, they presented 2 million Naira in micro-credit to 20 traders from Oluwaseun Market Association. This wasn't just charity, it was seed money to help hardworking entrepreneurs grow their businesses, support their families, and strengthen the local economy. Each loan represents dreams fulfilled and families lifted.

Beyond his Rotary work, Eke serves as an active patron of the Boys' Brigade and President of its Lagos State Council, proving that one person truly can make a difference across multiple spheres.

As 2026 unfolds, the Rotary Club of Banana Island shows no signs of slowing down. Their heartbeat remains steady: service above self. With their mantra of being "Youthful. Vibrant. More than all, dogged," they're marching forward with bold new plans to expand their impact even further. For UK Eke and his fellow Rotarians, life isn't complete without community service, and their community is infinitely richer because of it.