By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Rotary Club of Awka Smith-Town, Rotary District 9142, on Sunday, said it was targeting a total of ₦8,650,000 to champion the cause of child and maternal health care, peace and conflict resolution, among others in 2024/2025 rotary year.
The Club President, Rotarian Ali Alex Arinze, who disclosed this in Awka, Anambra State capital, after his installation as 9th President of the Club, averred that his club was also poised at improving rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene, at communities and schools.
According to Ali, those to benefit from the 9 projects of the rotary club for the year would be selected at the end of their need assessments and largely based on the resources they were able to gather from credible persons and philanthropists.
"The Rotary International charged us to do magic in the world which entails affecting our community and society positively through 9 major projects. It will take us ₦8,650,000 to be realised in this rotary year. We want to construct bus stands, organise spelling B competitions, offset hospital bills for the sick, provide pipe borne water for rural water development, among others," he stated.
He sought financial and professional support from credible but well-to-do individuals, philanthropists and corporate entities in order to realise the projects, which according to him, would change the lives of many in the State and beyond.
Earlier, the Club President for 2023/2024, Rotarian Valentine Okaudo, while transferring the mantle of leadership to Ali, charged him to lead with care and love knowing that it was a voluntary work that requires teamwork, time management and collaborations to succeed.
Some of the highlights of the event were welcoming of the new president and his entourage, including the Knight of Saint John International (KSJ), into the arena amidst cheers from members, friends and well wishers; presentations of awards to some deserving personalities as well as induction of three persons (members) into the club.
Speaking in separate interviews, some of the awardees, HRH Igwe Clifford Okeke of Nawfija, Ọrumba South LGA, and a business tycoon, Prince Ekene Rowland Okafor commended the Rotary club for the recognition, noting that it would inspire them to impact more lives wherever they found themselves.
Also speaking, a concerned citizen and guest who accompanied Igwe Okeke to the event, Prince Offorbike Okoye, praised the Rotary club on smooth leadership transition and contributions to rural development, and urged other Nigerians to imbibe the qualities in their lifestyles for better society.