Rotary Club honours Nnabuife, Emecheta, others

…Hosts enviromental safety workshop

IN LINE with Rotary mode of conduct towards obtaining the mantle of leadership by the new administration and dismantling its old administration in the clubs after one year of service to humanity, the Rotary Club of Awka Smithtown in Zone 11, District 9142, Saturday, installed her 6th Visionary President, Rtn Frederick Ezeani to continue piloting the affairs of the club.

  The event, which was held at Geogold Hotel, Awka, attracted some dignitaries and awardees such as the MD/CEO Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (ANPC), Publisher of National Light, Ka O Di Taa and SportsLightXTRA Newspapers, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, Prof Ifeoma Onyemelukwe, MD of Material Testing in Anambra State, Engr  Egbosie Ezeoke, Rtn Ifediba Peter, Chief Nkiruka Egwuonu, Venerable Amaechi Okwuosa, DrEmeka Okeke and Kingsley Ezepuo, among others.

  While narrating his experience during his tenure, the immediate past president of the club, Rtn Chidi Obiudu said it was a surprise to him in the past three years which prompted him to explore higher through devoting his time, treasure and talents, adding that the club had recorded many success stories including membership growth, contribution to Rotary foundation and carried out 14 solid service projects.

  He thanked the past presidents of the club and called on members to show more support to his successor to maintain unity and progress in the club.

  In her welcome address, the chairman of the Installation Committee, Rtn Helen Onwudiwe said the installation was to foster the visionary aim of the new president, carry out the task in service to humanity and to share bond of friendship to all.

  She further thanked all supporters and award recipients for their immense contribution towards humanity.

  Earlier, the Assistant Governor, Zone 10,  Rtn Olachi Emegoakor said that every donation made to the foundation goes a long way to impact positively on the lives of individuals who will forever be grateful and prayed for continuous blessings upon Rotarians.

  Also during the event, the club presented a wheel-chair to 3-year old Chidiebere Nwoye whose mother; Chinelo Nwoye was overwhelmed and appreciated Rotarians for their love towards mankind.

  Mrs Nwoye further stated that her child was not born crippled, noting that the incident occurred in an occasion when another child broke a bottle which affected her son and had caused a lot of problems in his life through his eye that made him  not to work with his two legs till date.

  Speaking to National Light, Rtn Frederick Ezeani expressed gratitude for his successful installation, describing Rotary as a nongovernmental organisation that touches lives of individuals across the world, adding that his club had carried out several projects under his leadership, including six rooms toilet facilities and opening a borehole at Community Primary School, Nimo.

  In his own speech, the MD/CEO Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation (ANPC), Sir Nnabuife, who received a Professional Service Award for outstanding contribution towards the development and growth of humanity at large, expressed his gratitude to Rotarians and thanked them for overwhelming love and friendship shown to individuals in society, adding that henceforth, he will donate his person, skills, service, etc to promotion of Rotary International.

  Some Rotarians present were the Past District Governor (PDG) of the district, Rtn Emman Ude-Akpeh, Past Assistant Governor (PAG), Rtn Chika Ekwueme, AG of Zone 10, Rtn Olachi Emegoakor, AG of Zone 11, Rtn Bonaventure Uzoh, among  others.

  In another development, Rotary Club of Awka Municipal, Friday, hosted a one-day workshop with theme ‘Environmental Safety and Creative Waste Management for Operational Development’.

 The program was aimed at enlightening the masses on the benefits of wastes.

 President of the club, Ifeoma Onugu explained that in accordance with the Rotary calendar, the month of July was a month of support. “Today, we support the environment by looking at creative wastes. That is why we came up with this workshop…”

 The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation(ANPC), publishers of National Light, Ka O Di Taa and SportslightXTRA newspapers, Sir Chuka Nnauife stressed the importance of recycling wastes, adding that the masses should be sensised on benefits behind waste

 Representative of Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Blessing Okafor informed that the project gives attention to erosion, noting that there are  lots of erosion devastations within Anambra communities on which they are doing some palliative work.

 She stated that environmental safety is about all the policies that concern how to keep the environment safe or free from harm and those working in it.

 Rtn. Ngozi Nwoji-Eke of the Rotary Club of Awka, commended the club for her vision and urged all to avoid engaging in activities that will destroy the environment.

 Past assistant governor of the club, Dr Dennis Ekemezie thanked all especially the children who were thought on how to use plastic wastes to do art work.

  Similarly, the UNIZIK Chapter of Rotary Club held a one-day awareness lecture on Hepatitis :Management and Treatment. The essence of the event was to enlighten members and populace on the knowledge of the symptoms and prevention of Hepatitis.

  Speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Barrister Nworji said the focus is on the killer disease, Hepatitis . He cited that health is paramount of wealth. According to him, a healthy person is a wealthy person.

  “You must understand that some of the athletes competing in the Olympics are there because they are able to maintain their health status. “

  ‘People think that joining Rotary entails wealth or those who has accumulated wealth. Rather, the body is more of service and value rendering programs. ‘  He went on to encourage guests to find interest to join the humanitarian body.

 Delivering his lecture on Hepatitis,the guest speaker, Dr. Peter Mbachi,( who doubles as Treasurer, Medical Association of Nigeria,Anambra chapter; National President, CKC Old Boys Association), threw light on major causes, treatment and prevention of the disease. The medical practitioner explained that   Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver; this is when the liver feels apart from other organs of the body at a very high level. He said the signs include severe pains, fatigue, flu, dark urine, pale stool, lose of appetite, rapid weight loss and seeming body reactions. He noted that the liver does a lot of function which includes aiding digestion and filtering of toxic in the body.

  He further explained that there are various types of Hepatitis namely viral Hepatitis, non viral Hepatitis, and auto immune Hepatitis. He stated that in the latter the body perceives the liver as an enemy. Therefore, the antibodies feel threatened and attacks the liver. Mbachi said, this fight for survival may go on for years before the victim discovers these and response to urgent medical attention is paramount. He opines that excessive consumption of alcohol, inappropriate use of drugs can cause a rise of the disease. 

  “According to statistics, about 350million people in the world has either Hepatitis A or B, ” he stated.

   “Type A could be caused from infected or bad water intake. While, B type is caused by unprotected sexual intercourse, used or infected sharp objects. Hepatitis C is very dangerous to the  wellbeing of a person. He said another level of Hepatitis is the D version called Delta variants. Its rare but absolutely dangerous and may kill its victim, “he said.

  He advised that regular medical check up and dialysis of the liver will be very helpful in curtailing any effects of the disease. 

  On a similar vein, Nworji thanked the speaker for his deep exposé on the subject.

  Fielding questions during the interactive session, Dr. Mbachi said prevention is better than cure. He said there is no particular vaccine for treatment but good personal and community hygiene and stable environment is key to maintaining good health. 

  The highlights of the program include light refreshments and interactive sessions.