PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State – July 25, 2025 – The Rotary calendar turns a new page this weekend as Rtn. Anthony Woghiren is set to be installed as the 9th District Governor for Rotary District 9141. The high-profile ceremony, taking place tomorrow, Saturday, July 26, will not only mark the ceremonial handover of leadership but also feature a thrilling raffle draw offering mouth-watering gifts, including a plot of land, an iPhone Pro Max, and a return ticket to a choice destination or a N500,000 cash prize, the Distinct Executive Secretary, Rtn. Kelechi Ekezie has disclosed.
Approximately 800 Rotarians from Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States—the four states comprising District 9141—are expected to attend this significant event, witnessing the transition from Immediate Past District Governor, Rtn. Chinedu Ikegwuani, whose tenure concludes on July 30, 2025.
At a press conference held on Thursday, July 24, in Port Harcourt, Rtn. Woghiren, accompanied by his team, unveiled his ambitious plans for the Rotary year spanning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Aligned with Rotary International’s 2025 theme, “Unite for Good,” a primary focus for the new Governor is membership growth, with an aim to add 30 new clubs, pushing the District’s total from 154 to 184.
Woghiren underscored the critical role of membership expansion, asserting its pivotal place in the survival of any organization and its direct impact on societal well-being. More clubs, he explained, translate to greater capacity for impactful projects across Rotary International’s seven areas of focus: peacebuilding and conflict prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, disease prevention and control, community economic development, and protecting the environment.
Beyond these core areas, Rtn. Woghiren identified another key focus for his team: the provision of water to communities in the nook and crannies of the four states within the District. He expressed hope for strong community support during the upcoming needs assessment tours for these projects.
He highlighted various projects already successfully executed by clubs within the District, including the distribution of mosquito nets to pregnant and nursing mothers at Rumuigbo Health Centre in Rivers State, a solar-powered water project at Army Day School in GRA Phase 2, Rivers State, and the donation of branded vests to the Federal Road Safety Corps in Rivers State, among others.
On his part, Governor Woghiren has already engaged with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olubenga Adewale Adepoju, to discuss modalities for a seminar aimed at sensitising citizens on the importance of law obedience and peaceful coexistence. Reinforcing the “Unite for Good” theme, he announced plans for a peace and conflict concert to be organised in Rivers State specifically to engage the youth.
He further called on the media to partner with the District in ensuring that adequate publicity is given to Rotary activities, to enable individuals know the tenets and principles of Rotary. In the same vein, he urged individuals to donate to the Rotary Foundation, a global platform that provides the needed grant to clubs to execute projects in communities all over the world.
Earlier reports by Africa Update revealed that under Rtn. Woghirein’s leadership, a dedicated department for children with special needs will be constructed at the Rivers State University. A fundraiser for this crucial project will be instituted during tomorrow’s installation ceremony.
The three-day installation event is scheduled as follows:
- Day One (Friday, July 25): Arabian/Awards Night at 6:00 PM at La Sien Pavilion, Forces Avenue, Old GRA.
- Day Two (Saturday, July 26): Installation Ceremony at 11:00 AM at EUI Centre, GRA, Rivers State, followed by a Post-Installation event at 7:00 PM at the same venue.
This weekend marks the official beginning of a new chapter for Rotary District 9141, promising expanded community impact and a renewed push for positive change across the Niger Delta region.
