The newly installed President of Rotary Awka
Awka Rotary Club to spend #8.4m on humanitarian services...installs new President
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
A whopping sum of #8,450,000 is expected to be spent by the Awka Rotary Club International on humanitarian services this rotary fiscal year, (2024/2025).
Making this disclosure in his post installation speech held Sunday, at Hilton Leisure Hotels, Awka, state capital, the newly installed President of Awka Rotary Club, Rotarian Ali Alex Arinze, (a.k.a.Zonas), stated that the amount would be divided among nine projects earmarked to better the welfare of the people.
He described rotary club as an organization for men and women of integrity that give back to the society even as he added that three Rotarians inducted during the occasion had all it takes to be inducted.
"Nothing stops us from inducting 20 to 30 people if we want but we induct quality people who can uphold the vision and mission of rotary. Rotary is not a market place," he stated.
"Those we gave award is because of the good things they have been doing in their different communities. We want those who will support rotary projects, our hearts are open," he disclosed.
Also the immediate past President, Rotarian Valentine Chidiebere Okaudu, disclosed that he has advised his successor to always see members as those working voluntarily for society without payment rather they spend their own time and money to better the condition of the society.
"I told him you are working with those who are not under your payroll. Handle them with care especially now that we are in hardship. In my time as president I even cut the time we stay during meetings to curb expenditure and save time for personal obligations," he further disclosed.
Among those who graced the occasion was the traditional ruler of Nawfija, Orumba South local Government Area, HRH, Igwe Clifford Okeke, (a k.a Ezudo), who described rotary club as rendering services to society.
"I have been on the throne for 15 years and I am the chairman of Traditional Rulers' Council, Orumba South. The person installed as Rotarian President today was my Onowu, when I was installed the Igwe of Nawfija. I was the representative of Orumba South during Cattle menace control in the area," he hinted.
A Chieftain who was honoured by Rotary who came with the monarch to the occasion, Prince Oforbike Okoli, an associate of late Senator Ifeanyi Uba, while commending the installation of Arinze as new President of Rotary Club Awka, lamented the demise of Uba, recalling that Uba told them that the vacuum will be hard to fulfill as it will take the next 30 years to get Uba's type if he dies.
"He was my political benefactor, we did not just lost a father, brother, philantropist, etc but a man who was concerned about the progress and well being of others.
" He facilitated the signing of the Southeast Development Commission Bill by President Bola Tinubu. He was a good man who has fashion for humanity," he hinted.
On his award he commended Rotary Club Awka for finding him worthy to be so honoured adding that it will spur him to continue in his humanitarian services.
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