BY RITA OYIBOKA/PERPETUAL EGENE
The District Governor of Rotary International, District 9141, Rotarian Anthony Woghiren, has reaffirmed the club’s commitment to partnering with traditional rulers, government institutions, and other stakeholders in advancing humanitarian activities across communities.
Rtn. Woghiren disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM, Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge, where he was accompanied by executives and members of the clubs, as part of his three-day working tour of Rotary clubs in Asaba.
The DG’s visit forms part of a wider tour that began on September 1, covering clubs across Ekpoma, Irrua, Uromi, Auchi, Agbor, and now Asaba.
The visits are aimed at evaluating the health of the clubs, assessing their achievements, identifying challenges, and offering guidance for improvement.
Speaking at the palace, the Asagba of Asaba commended the Rotary Club for its remarkable humanitarian interventions, describing them as “commendable and worthy of admiration.”
According to the monarch, “We are very aware of the excellent jobs that you are carrying out. The Rotary Club is one that I know well, and I have come to appreciate deeply the charitable work and humanitarian efforts that you are bringing to bear.
‘’I only wish that many more bodies like yours could replicate such exploits to help address issues confronting us as a people.”
HRM Azinge also outlined some of the palace’s initiatives in the areas of health, education, and youth development.
He disclosed that the palace had facilitated the deployment of four medical doctors, three pharmacists, and several laboratory scientists from the NYSC scheme to local health centres, with accommodation and allowances provided by the palace.
The revered monarch added that efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate a facility for drug rehabilitation, while bursaries, scholarships, books, and chairs were being provided for Asaba students in tertiary institutions.
“We are also combating drug addiction frontally by identifying drug peddlers and barons and handing them over for prosecution. In education, we are donating chairs, books, and bursaries to our students, while scholarships will be awarded in the coming weeks,” the Asagba said.
The traditional ruler affirmed that his palace remained open to partner with the Rotary Clubs in the pursuit of initiatives that foster development, education, healthcare, and overall improvement of the lives of his people.
In his remarks, DG Woghiren listed several humanitarian projects executed by Rotary in Asaba. These include equipping Primary Health Centres at Umuonaje Ugbomanta and Jarret Health Centres with state-of-the-art facilities and solar power; renovating toilets for police officers and inmates at ‘A’ Division Police Station; and constructing toilet blocks at Isioma Onyeobi Secondary School, where open defecation had been prevalent, among others.
Woghiren emphasised that all these projects were funded from the contributions of Rotary members. He also reiterated Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication, describing it as the club’s flagship project since 1985.
Speaking further, the DG noted that he had earlier met with the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, and would continue to engage other government stakeholders.
“We are open to partnerships with government and traditional institutions to ensure more impactful projects in our communities,” he said.
In separate interviews, the President of the Rotary Club of Asaba Central, Rtn. Michael Nwankwo described the visit as a rare opportunity for members to engage with Rotary leadership, adding that the evaluation sessions would help clubs measure performance and improve impact.
Similarly, the President of the Rotary Club of Asaba, Rtn. Florence Kola-Balogun said members were elated to receive the DG, noting that his presence would inspire clubs across Delta North to achieve more.
Highlights of the visit included the commissioning of projects, a medical outreach, and a banquet dinner with Rotary Club members.
