By Don Peter Okoro.
It was an event filled with glitz, glamour and razzmatazz on Saturday the 19th of August 2023 at Classique Munich Hotel Nnewi, Anambra State of Nigeria, when the Rotary Club of Nnewi installed Rtn. Vera Ifeoma Ejefobiri PHF, as the 39th and 2nd Female President of Rotary Club of Nnewi; just as Canadian based Clergyman, Publisher and President of Rotary Club of Nnewi Central, Rtn. Don Kene Ifepe PHF praised her for her good qualities.
The event kicked off on a high definition note with the Living Ancestors, the Club Legends, the Awardees, the Host’s Family and Friends, marched into the event hall majestically to the tune and music of Rotary Club.
After the usual protocols, ceremonies, the razzles and dazzle the In Coming President was subjected to, as is the Custom, she was deemed fit of possessing the physical, mental and financial capacity and capability of piloting the affairs of the Club for the next one year.
All these to the applause and admiration of all the members and guests present. It was a ceremony laced with fun, funfair and fanfare. Speaking to Journalists after the event, Rtn. Vera Ifeoma Ejefobiri said: “Actually, charity has always been our business, that is what we are known for as Rotarians.
Our call and first love is humanitarian service. And we will ensure that we continue to do that and make sure that we spread our tentacles to areas we have not paid attention to in the past. In Rotary, we have 7 areas of focus and those areas of focus are the basic areas where our impacts are mostly felt, these are: Maternal care, Child care, Basic Education/ Literacy, Vocational Service,Youth Service, Disease Prevention/ Treatment and Environmental Protection.
Like today, we empowered two women with #50,000 each to boost their Businesses. One sells akara near Umuenem Hall, while the other is into petty trading. This Rotary Year, we have a lot of projects lined up.” On whether she has any specific project, she answered: “We have done environmental protection projects by planting up to 40 trees around.
These are economic trees that will help the community when they start bearing fruits. The trees will also prevent the sun from ravaging the environment. We are also planning to carry out a Childcare and Maternity project at Joint Hospital Ozubulu in collaboration with Nnewi Central, Nnewi Urban, Rotary Club of Ozubulu and Ihiala, all of us are coming together to do this project and it is going to be massive, as we are going to empower close to 100 women. You know that the mortality rate of pregnant women is very high.
We will also be doing other projects like giving out about 500 Dictionaries to two Girls Schools, Nnewi Girls Secondary School and Maria Regina Secondary School”. In his comments, Eminent Man of God, Publisher, Archbishop and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, Rtn.Don Kene Ifepe who is equally the President of the Rotary Club of Nnewi Central, has this to say concerning his mission to the event:” I’m here to support my colleague and Co- President on her Installation ceremony.” Asked to describe the kind of person Vera is, he replied:”Number one is that she loves to help humanity and that is why she is the President now.
I have been to many Rotary functions at Uyo, Calabar, Rivers State and many places and what I’m seeing here now is not different. It is a very successful event. What I know about her is that she is someone that loves to help humanity.”
On his assessment of the day’s event, he replied: “It’s awesome! We came from everywhere inspite of the security situation.
It also speaks volumes of the kind of personality involved, that she is someone that also supports other people.
That is why we all came for her.” As a high ranking Clergyman, his words of prayers for the country, he offered:”My number one prayer is that we find the peace that we once enjoyed in this country.
Secondly, that the economy will ease especially on the average person. My prayer is for peace and progress to reign in Nigeria.” On his comments concerning the political situation in the country, he stated:”We must give every Leader a chance.
Time is the Judge of every administration. We cannot knock them down within a time frame of one, two or three months. Are there signs of good days coming? Yes! But every good comes with a price to pay. We want to believe that we are praying the price for a better Nigeria.”