Karina Igonikon, will pilot the affairs of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Garden City from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024, as Timi Bubagha takes a bow after serving efficiently as Club President.
As the usual tradition in Rotary, an installation ceremony holds annually and this year’s installation for RC Port Harcourt Garden City held on 1st July at Kingoliza event centre, off Peter Odili Road, where Igonikon and the Board of Directors for the new Rotary Year were inducted.
The Board of Directors for the new Rotary year are: Rtn. Inemi Stephen – Vice President and Membership Chair, Rtn Timi Bubagha – Immediate Past President and Rotary Foundation Chair, Rtn Ayuwu Simeon Ayuwu – Secretary, Rtn Jessica Uzonwanne- Treasurer, Rtn Pedro Opuene – Polio Chair, Rtn Tonye Nria Dappa – Club Learning Facilitator, Rtn Precious Ahiakwo Ovie – Public Image Chair, Rtn Emeka Nwaneri – Service Project Chair and Rtn Gloria Boma Harry – Women in Rotary Chair.
While Success Okie, Ayuwu Simeon Ayuwu, Emeka Nwaneri and Odimaa Dagogo Kanu were formally inducted after fulfilling all preconditions for their admission into the club.
Awards were presented to the Zonal Director NTA South South, Evelyn Irekpitan Nwosu, the CEO Lupus Haven, Mrs Patricia Inaiba Ozigbu and Eze (Dr) Golden Owhonda, FWACP, who is the Director and Head of Public Health and Disease Control Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The event had past District leaders from District 9141, in attendance, notable amongst them being Rtn Emeka Utebor the current District Governor for 2023-2024 Rotary year, Past District Governor Rtn Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, Past Assistant Governor Rtn Ibim Semenitari.
The Rotary leaders in their separate speeches encouraged the Club to strive to do more for humanity, especially this year, when the Rotary theme centres on creating hope in the World.
Former Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, Paulinus Nsirim, and Dr. Ibitoru People, were among dignitaries who attended the installation.
A visibly elated Igonikon, in her median address, said the club’s focus would be on 7 projects that are geared towards creating hope and lasting change in the community, for which Rotary is noted for.
Her words: In line with the Rotary International theme for the 2023-2024 Rotary Year, ‘Create Hope in the World’ as given by the Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally, we plan to carry out these Service Projects in the Rotary areas of focus. These include:
- WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE
Donation of a four cpmpactment female toilet facility and borehole project to Koko Kingdom, one of our host communities in Eastern Bypass Port Harcourt. = N8,000,000 (STAR PROJECT) - MATERNAL AND CUILD HEALTH
Donation of Mama Pack for Pregnant and expectants mothers to encourage them to seek and access ante- natal care at the Mile One Primary Health Centre. N1,500,000 - ENVIRONMENT
Carry out a Mangrove restoration project at Eagle Island. N600,000 - ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AMD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Sills acquisition programme for residents of Port Harcourt Safe Home.
N1,000,000 - BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY
Hold a lecture on the dangers of drug abuse and donate personal hygiene kits to Students of Pabod Secondary School, PH
N800,000 - DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
Carry out an Oral Health Project and donate toothbrush to students of Model Primary School Orogbum, Port Harcourt
N200,000. - PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Hold a seminar on the factors that challenge the rise of female journalists in newsrooms in Rivers State
N950,000.
We have identified these and other needs and wish to create hope and lasting change in our community, for which Rotary is noted for.
My dear friends, imagine the impact these projects would have on the lives of women, children and men in society; imagine the sense if fulfilment you will have knowing you contributed to helping these one have a better quality of life.
Beyond imagining, I implore you to bring these imagination to life by taking the right action of donating towards the achievements of these noble projects.
I sincerely appreciate you all for honouring us with your presence and joining us on this journey of service to humanity.
