Rotary international’s principles, Community service, Resonate with NNDC mission _Ogbuku
Chinedu Ikegwuani, (in blue suit, left) after his installation as the 8th District Governor of Rotary International, District 9141, comprising Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, held in Port Harcourt
The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission has hailed Rotary International for its decades of selfless service to community development, impacting thousands of lives, saying the organization’s guiding principles resonate with the mission of the interventionist agency.
NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this as the keynote speaker at the installation of the 8th District Governor of Rotary, District 9141, comprising Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, held in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director Projects, Victor Antai, congratulated the new Rotary’s District Governor, District 9141, Chinedu Ikegwuani, noting that Rotary International is renowned for its commitment to service above self and has always been an example of hope and a pillar of community development.
Ogbuku said Rotary’s four-way test and the District’s ‘FMC Plus’ comprising Food, Medicals, Clothing and others to positively impact lives in four states underscores the organization’s desire to bring succour and hope to people that are in need across various communities.
He stated, “Today as we gather to usher in a new Rotary Year, we are reminded of the profound impact that collective goodwill and dedicated service can have on the society.
“When I reflect on Rotary’s guiding principles, particularly the Four Way Test, I’m struck by how these questions not only guide Rotarians but resonate deeply with the mission of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“The Four Way Test caps up: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Allow me to explore these questions within the context of our shared commitment to service, especially through the lens of Project FMC Plus, a proposal that promises to transform lives across Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers State.
“First, is it the truth? Our communities face significant challenges. According to recent statistics over 60 per cent of the population in the Niger Delta lives below the poverty line, struggling to access basic healthcare, nutrition and clothing. This is a stark reality that we cannot ignore.
“Project FMC Plus seeks to address these critical needs by providing quarterly medical interventions, nutritious meals and adequate clothing to the most vulnerable among us. By deploying mobile clinics, organizing food and clothing drives and partnering with local health facilities, we can ensure that communities receive the care and support they desperately need.
“Truth in service is about understanding and addressing the real needs of our communities. Rotary International District 9141 exemplifies these commitments to truth through its Project FMC Plus. The truth is initiatives like this are not just necessary, they are vital.”
In his address shortly after his installation as the District Governor, Ikegwuani, said he was overwhelmed with gratitude for the honour bestowed on him to lead as the District Governor.
Ikegwuani said it has been some journey since he joined the organization in 2007 from the Rotary Club of Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, to become the District Governor of Rotary District 9141.
Speaking exclusively to South-South PUNCH later at the sidelines of the event, he said, “In Rotary, we do a lot of work trying to reach or to bridge the gap whether it’s in food security or medicals or whatever. We try to bridge the gap and it’s very, very challenging because, in our society, we have a lot of lapses.”
Ikegwuani, while explaining that the organization will continue to preach for non-Rotarians to join its ‘noble cause,’ emphasized the vision of Rotary to have a peaceful society.
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He added, “A society where one will always be willing and ready to be his brother’s keeper, to give back to the society what we have been able to on our own or in any way achieve. We try to fill in that gap.
“So, our vision is always we think, when we think, in Rotary, we have what we call the seven areas of focus, it guides us to the areas we can, you know, make much impact in the world.’’
“The first one is peacebuilding and conflict prevention. We have water sanitation and hygiene; maternal and child care; basic education and literacy; disease prevention and control; community economic development and the last one, environment.
“Rotary is a service organization, we provide service to others. At the same time, we promote integrity and advance world peace and understanding.”
Ikegwuani further said as leader of the district this year, he has offered himself to serve and is fully aware of how challenging the office is.
He stated, “But for the next year, I will do all I can to make the difference in the lives of most people in our communities, within our area, within the four states our district covers.”
Earlier in his valedictory speech, the immediate past District Governor, 9141 for 2023/2024, Emeke Utebor, emphasized that membership remains the priority in Rotary, adding “The 2023/2024 Rotary Year was a wonderful year and full of challenges.
“But we came, we saw and we conquered.”
Listing some of his achievements, Utebor described Rotarians as wonderful people, pointing out that under him new clubs were formed with about 824 new Rotarians inducted.
He added, “And to the Rotary Foundation, you were wonderful. We gave over $336,261 to the Rotary Foundation. Dear friends, I want to plead with you that membership remains the number one priority of Rotary International.
“It is not the responsibility of the District Governor alone, it is our business, it is Rotary’s business. We were the first to organize joint district training that saves Rotarians money, saves you time and saves you from insecurity.
“We were also the first to introduce the district 9141 life insurance policy. We were also the first to pass the District 9141 by-law.
“As I bow out today I want to plead with all of you to give my successor more support because Rotary business is our business.”
One of the major highlights of the occasion was the decoration of Chinedu Ikegwuani, as the new District Governor, Rotary District 9141 by his predecessor, Emeke Utebor.
