Publisher of Blueprint Newspaper, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged Rotary Club to assist government in tackling the humanitarian crises caused by Covid-19 pandemic, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
Giving his Chairman address at the Rotary Club of Kaduna Investiture and Fund Raising of Rotarian Joycelyn Anagende as the 55th President of Rotary Club of Kaduna on Saturday, Alhaji Idris said Rotary Club has its work cut out as Nigeria and the world face huge humanitarian crises
He said though Rotary has done so much, it has to do more to resolve the humanitarian crises.
“I know Rotary Club very well despite not being a member because I have a number of friends who are members. From what I learnt, Rotary Club is a foremost humanitarian organisation with over 1.2 million members from across 200 countries.
“There is no better time for Rotary Club to prove its mettle, as it has been doing, than now when humanity is facing one of its biggest challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic with over one million people dead. America, which recently conducted its election, has lost nearly a quarter of a million people.
“We are lucky in Nigeria that we have not faced such loss of lives but we have been affected economically, socially and in other spheres. Rotary Club should rededicate itself. This is a time when its services, its vision and mission and all it stands for should be brought to the fore. This is the time that Rotary Club’s humanitarian services is best needed.
“This is the best time for humanity to come together to assist government in resolving the challenges. The IDPs are there, scourge of pandemic, security challenges, banditry, kidnapping, they have to come in and assist. Government is trying but the challenges are overwhelming, whatever government is doing can never be enough, which is why there is need for assistance,” he said.
Speaking on the new president, the Blueprint publisher said, “I have known Joycelyn for over 20 years, she has been a front line member Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and I know how hardworking, committed and determined she is. So, its not surprising that she emerged as the 55th President of Rotary Club of Kaduna.”
The newly installed president, Joycelyn Anagende, in her remarks said in spite of the challenges facing humanity they have continued to contribute their quota due to their passion and commitment to the cause.
She said, “When we came on board, it was when the Covid-19 pandemic came into existence but despite the challenges, we have been able to pull through. Between July and October, we have been able to execute five laudable projects.
“We encountered lots of challenges but we still have good organisations that have been able to support us in their own way. In August, the district governor visited Kaduna and we donated 10 sets of computers to the Kaduna deaf school.”
Rotarian Elsee Edochie, who stood in for the outgoing president, said they were all committed to the Rotary idea which is summed up in seven thematic areas; peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention, maternal and child health, economic and community development, education and literacy, sanitation and supporting the environment.
Awards were later presented to some members of community who are deemed to have contributed to the cause of humanity among whom are, Chairman of Muslim Council of Nigeria and Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Kaduna branch, Alhaji AbdulHadi Olapade, former GOC 1 Div and ex-Comandant of NDA, Gen. Oyebade Adeniyi (Rtd) and Col. Sani Bello (Rtd) among others.
