Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta state has called on members of the rotary club to use the good name of the organisation to work for the good of Nigeria and the development Delta state.
Governor Oborevwori spoke on Friday during the annual conference of district 9141 held at the state secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
Represented by the commissioner for primary education, Kingsley Ashibuogwu, Governor Oborevwori said Nigeria is grappling with insecurity and economic challenges, hence members of the rotary club should employ their rotary connections to work for the welfare of Nigerians.
He told the gathering that Nigeria is faced with an unfriendly global economy which is not unconnected with the high exchange rate between the United States’ dollar and the Nigeria’s Naira.
Arising from the high exchange rate, the cost of imported goods and services has continued to rise beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.
Governor Oborevwori said: “As Rotarians, use your organization to develop Nigeria. Use your organization to create opportunity for all Nigerians,’ just as he charged members of the body to use the rotary club to continue to champion issues that will engender peace and harmonious relationship in Nigeria.
In a welcome message, district governor of four mandate states comprising Delta, Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers, Emeke Utbor, said life does not allow humans to go back and correct errors made in the past but it gives one opportunity to live a good life going forward.
He said the outgoing rotary year which started on July 1, 2023 will be ending on June 30, 2024. He eulogized members of the 9141 district who stood firmly and contributed to the growth of the club within the period under review.
He said with the theme of creating hope in the world, members of the club within the year gave hope to people and put smiles on many faces within the four states under his purview.
He said there could not have been better time than now to have contributed to the uplift of the downtrodden and the less privileged, adding that rotary with its philosophy is working towards a better future for all.
He said “it is our call and duty to be beacons of hope to our communities anywhere we find ourselves.” He called for people to appreciate good deeds, saying appreciation is a powerful tool upon which society is lubricated.
He thanked members, who, despite the economic challenges, forged on for the good of society and their immediate environment. He called for members to remain consistent while sowing the seed of hope in a world bedeviled with hopelessness.
He said he looked forward to a world where every act of kindness is appreciated and a world where barriers crumble and peace reigns.
He called for a re-affirmation of commitment to creating hope and love for the good of all even as he pleaded with members to make a difference in the lives of people they serve.
The event was graced with Rotary International president nominee, Mario Caesar and his wife who flew in from Canada to participate in the event. It also featured members from the four states of Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers.
Lecture was presented by Dr. Tellson Osifo Ojogu, director general of the Nigeria Population Council (NPC). His speech dwelt on data collection, integrity, and analysis.