Dear Members, JCI Ibadan Elite,

As we step into a new year, I am reminded of the timeless words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” And today, we take that step together, anchored in purpose, driven by vision, and empowered by the boundless possibilities that lie before us.

This year, we stand at the confluence of three powerful callings:t he global mandate of JCI, the national charge from JCI Nigeria, and our dear Local Organization ’s defining theme for 2026. Together, the three will form the compass that guides our actions and shape our impact.

At the heart of JCI is a mission that continues to speak to the soul of leadership: “To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.” And our vision challenges us to rise: “To be the foremost global network of young leaders.” These are not just statements; they are commitments that remind us, who we are and who we are becoming: a generation of leaders who do not merely observe change but amplify it.

In alignment with JCI Nigeria’s theme, Amplify Change, we are called to raise our voices, strengthen our actions, and magnify our impact. We are called to be bold catalysts, courageous innovators, and compassionate builders of a society that thrives on progress and justice.

Finally, here in Ibadan Elite, our path is illuminated by our 2026 theme: DREEP: Deepening Roots, Elevating Excellence and Possibilities. To deepen our roots is to fortify our culture, uphold our values, and strengthen the structures that sustain our chapter. It means grounding ourselves in service, leadership, integrity, and fellowship, the very roots that make us unshakeable. To elevate excellence is to consistently rise above the ordinary. It is to insist on quality, embrace discipline, and embody professionalism in every programme, partnership, and engagement. Excellence is the identity we carry and the standard we defend. To expand possibilities is to dream beyond limits. To see opportunities where others see obstacles, and to take bold steps toward innovations that shape our community because possibilities multiply when vision meets action, and this year, we will walk that path with faith.

Dear Friends, this new year invites us to reaffirm our mission, embrace our national charge, and embody our local organization’s vision. It invites us to lead with courage, collaborate with purpose, and serve with humility. It invites us to build a chapter where every member grows, every idea thrives, and every effort contributes to meaningful change. As we begin this journey, may our faith be strong, our unity firm, and our aspirations unbounded. May we deepen our roots, so our impact becomes enduring. May we elevate excellence, so our footprint inspires many. May we expand possibilities so our legacy becomes generational.

Members of JCI Ibadan Elite,

Together, we will amplify change.

Together, we will deepen roots.

Together, we will elevate excellence.

Together, we will unlock possibilities.

The future awaits, and we step into it with faith.

Happy New Year! Let the DREEPing Begin!


JCIN Amb. Ibukunoluwa Otesile
2026 President 
JCI Ibadan Elite