By Tosin Kolade
ABUJA – The Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu has urged residents of the Ruga (Angwan) Fulani Community, Gaduwa in the FCT to use the Christmas period to build peace, unity and love among themselves
The President, Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam, who made the call at a Christmas party hosted for the community on Wednesday, said the celebration was an avenue to show more love to the underprivileged who were usually forgotten.
According to her, the end-of-year and love feast party was also another means of building peace and conflict prevention and resolution.
“We know there is this feeling of love when humans receive gifts generally, and indeed these families are happier with the gifts received from the club.
“We decided to come party with them this year because we realised that it’s another means of building peace and conflict resolution. We are not only celebrating with them.
“We are eating, drinking, dancing, playing together as one big family, no discrimination whatsoever. This is to show that humanity is all that matters,” she said.
She said that the group had distributed Ankara wrappers for wives of the community; thrift items, and party packs for the children. As you can see, we have also provided a Bouncing Castle and Santa (Father Christmas) for the kids.
“Aside from this being a form of peace and conflict resolution and prevention area of focus, it brings happiness to everyone (members of the community and to the Rotarians and guests) in attendance.
“Imagine these women going home with this wrapper and other items, the husband already at peace that his wife has something to wear for the festivity. He may not buy another if he is not capable, and that has taken away the pressure to provide at these trying times,” she said.
The president noted that the idea behind the act of philanthropy brought joy to people involved in it, calling on all Nigerians to support the noble organisation, adding that Rotary in its vision of impacting lives encourage Nigerians to “serve to change lives”.
She added that the party, which was the first in the community’s history, had been able to put smiles on the faces of not only the members of the community but also everyone who contributed to the success of the party.
Ms Foluke Durojaiye, welfare chairperson, Rotary Club of Apo Gudu, said the intervention was an avenue to give back to the community, following the mood of the season which was love and giving.
She said the event, which was self-sponsored through the members, had brought a feeling of fulfillment in immeasurable ways.
“We need to give back something to the community, it’s a season of love and giving and it’s good to celebrate with the less privileged people.
“Our members took it upon themselves to donate to make this happen. It’s good to give back, there’s a blessing that comes with it. We are all happy and fulfilled that we are able to put smiles on the faces of these people”.
Mrs. Ogechi Uwadoka, Charter President, Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu, said from time immemorial, Rotary International had encouraged Rotarians to adopt a community, so that interventions get to the grassroots.
“Two years ago we decided to adopt this community because when we came here, they had nothing except the humans living here.
”And, we have done a lot, within five years, we know that we would have impacted tremendously on their lives”.
Uwadoka said the annual celebration was halted in 2020 due to COVID-19, saying the vaccination given to all community members last month made it easier for the party to take place.
Mr Mundong Dachi, Service Project Director, Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu, said the event was to make merry with the community members, saying it was a season of love.
He stressed the need for more Nigerians to join any Rotary club, saying one would usually find joy and fulfillment from it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu, had adopted Ruga (Angwan) Fulani as its intervention Community.
Within two years since it was chartered, the club has built a water facility, school, immunised them for COVID-19, Hepatitis A-C, supported the environment by the provision of galvanised garbage bins.
The club also provided planting fruit trees, trees for their cattles, provided palliates of all sorts, among others. (NAN)
