BY JUDITH OBIANUA
As part of their humanitarian efforts to support the less privileged, members of Rotary International, Asaba, have donated writing materials and other learning aids to pupils of Amakom Primary School, Oko Amakom, in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant District Governor of Zone 17, Rtn Betty Okolo, emphasised that Rotary International is renowned for its humanitarian service, noting that the organisation operates under seven areas of focus, one of which is the promotion of basic education and literacy.
Mrs Okolo highlighted Rotary’s seven areas of focus, stressing that the success of the day’s outreach was made possible through contributions from members.
She explained that the initiative was driven by the Rotary Club of Asaba Citadel and sponsored by the five clubs that make up Zone 17: Asaba Bluewater, Asaba Citadel, Asaba Metropolitan, Asaba New City, and Asaba New Era. She added that the zone has also carried out other activities such as peace walks and environmental sanitation exercises.
In the same vein, Rtn Chinedu Osadebay explained that Rotary’s main objective is to render service to humanity through its seven areas of focus. He noted that Rotary provides learning aids to schools and also organises training programmes for teachers. “We come in where people are stranded and assist them,” he said.
The President of the Rotary Club of Asaba Metropolitan, Rtn Frank Nwaegbu, pointed out that Rotary International is instrumental in the global effort to eradicate polio. He related this to the act of giving, saying one of their key agendas, basic education and literacy, was being fulfilled through the day’s donation.
“Before today, we visited the school to assess its needs and discovered that many pupils could not afford notebooks, textbooks, or even school uniforms. The school also lacked a national flag, which has now been donated by Rotary,” he said.
Rtn Nwaegbu added that on October 24, Rotary will hold a programme on polio awareness in Okpanam.
In her remarks, the President of the Rotary Club of Asaba Citadel, Rtn Lilian Onukwor, said Rotary is all about charity and putting smiles on people’s faces.
According to her, “We have distributed notebooks, textbooks, erasers, markers, whiteboards, pencils, and biros today. We look forward to doing even more because we are happiest when others are happy.”
In her closing remarks, the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Ezenwa Felicia, expressed her excitement over the gesture. She noted that while such donations had taken place in other schools, this was the first time her school was benefiting from such an outreach, praying for God’s blessings, divine protection, and long life for the donors.
