By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – People from all walks of life gathered in Abuja on Friday as Rotarian Anne Uche Obi was formally decorated as the 5th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja CBD.
The Investiture of the 5th President and fund raising/award ceremony took place at the New Chelsea Hotel in Central Business District, FCT, Abuja.
In her address, shortly after her decorations, Rotarian Anne commended her predecessors namely: Charter President, Salome Garba; Martins Odeh, Yelwa Abubakar and Daramola Ganiyu for their contributions at different times of their tenure in moving the Club to the enviable height, making the Rotary Club of Abuja CBD a force to reckon with.
Rotarian Anne, who herself was a charter member, rose through the ranks. At various times, she was Assistant Secretary, Youth Director, President Nominee Designate, President Nominee, President Elect/Vice President and now President.
The 5th President who showed enthusiasm to deliver, said the role she has been given is that of service for humanity – a cause she is passionate about.
She therefore promised to be guided by Rotary’s Four Way Test viz; (1) Is it the truth? (2) It is fair to all concerned? (2) Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendship? (4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotarian Anne assured that with concerted efforts from the District Convener, Ayo Oyedokun and Rotary International President 2021- 2022, Shekhar Mehta, all the Districts goals and Rotary International Presidential citation would be met.
The 5th President who named her 12-member Changemaker Board of Directors, reiterated that they will focus on Rotary’s seven areas of focus which includes: Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy; Water and Sanitation; Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution; Economic and Community Development; Disease Prevention and Treatment as well as Supporting the Environment.
In her words, ” As a Club President with a team of dedicated members, we are saddled with the responsibility of increasing membership”. Adding that with the vibrant Convener, PAG Evelyn Onyilo as the membership Chair, that the membership drive will increase by 50 percent.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the President of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Christopher Isiguzo, urged all members to join hands with the 5th President to achieve all that she has outlined to achieve in her tenure. He reminded that Rotary is about giving and. service to humanity. Adding that one’s spirit of giving is what he will be remembered for even when the person no more.
Earlier in her address, the guest speaker, former First Lady of Imo State, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha congratulated Rotarian Anne Uche Obi on her election as the 5th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja CBD and said she has no doubt that she would surpass the target she has set for herself in view of her pedigree.
Speaking bon the theme: “Leadership With Empathy”, Her Excellency who first emphasized on what leadership is not said leadership has nothing with age and leadership is not management as managers manage things while leaders lead people.
According to her, “leadership is the act of motivating people to achieve a set goal while empathy is ability to share and imagine yourself in someone else’s position or to place yourself in other person’s situation. It is ability to share the emotions if others.
She said empathy encourages leaders to understand performance as well as allow leaders to develop relationship with the people they lead.
Mrs Okorocha therefore stressed that to have the Nigeria of our dream, leaders must come down to listen more to the people they are leading.
She therefore urged Nigerians to pray to God to give us a listening leader in our country.
Other events at the occasion were the awards to deserving Chief Executive Officers and others who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour.
Some the awardee are: Chief James Ume, Publisher, The Whistler; Mr Maxwell Loko, CEO, Startimes; Past President Yelwa Abubakar; Immediate Past President Daramola Ganiyu; Rotarian, Habiba Dione; Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche and others.
