History was made on Saturday as the Rotary Club of Akure City, District 9125, Nigeria, got it’s first female President with the investiture of Rotarian Juliet Udeme Okon at the main hall of Sunbeth Hotel and Suites, Akure, Ondo State.
The installation ceremony also featured presentation of awards to deserving personalities within and outside the Rotary circuit, in recognition of their immeasurable contributions to humanity.
Speaking at the installation ceremony, the visibly-elated new President renewed her avowed love for the cause and mandates of the Club as she promised to live and die a Rotarian.
“I love Rotary. My foray into the world of Rotary dated back to my days in the higher institution when I joined the Rotaract Club. During my Service year, I joined Rotary Club proper; and since then, I’ve not looked back. I will live a Rotarian and die a Rotarian. If there’s another world, I’ll come back as a Rotarian.”
“For this Rotary year, we have renovated the buildings at the School for the Deaf in Akure here and paid NECO examination fees for some of their students. We gave money to some other indigent students and struggling traders. We bought clutches for some Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) and a whole lot of other projects.”
Rotarian Okon further appealed to other members of the public to; in their own little way; contribute to the upliftment of mankind and humanity with donations and other acts of kindness.
“For those who have not keyed into acts of lending helping hands, I am hereby advising them to do good in their own little way to help humanity. Your widow’s mite goes a long way in uplifting the downtrodden in the society. At Rotary, ours is to help the needy and less-privileged in our midst for a better society.”
An awardee; Dr. Ayeku Abiodun; who is the Ondo State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), applauded the choice of Rotarian Juliet Okon as the President of the Club.
“Those who chose her to lead, have made the right choice. She’s an hardworking woman. Rotary is an humanitarian organization which is at the forefront of the campaign for the survival of humanity, and awards given to persons here are given based on the fact that they have contributed one thing or the other to humanity. It is on this note that I must express my happiness at being recognized by Rotary and for the honor bestowed upon me based on my contributions to the health sector.” he said.
Another awardee; Ahmed Lawal; the Chief Executive Officer of Princess Paints Plc, also expressed his delight at being recognized with an award.
He said: “I’m happy today to be recognized with an award here. Rotarian Juliet Okon is a nice woman. I have always known her as a philanthropist. She’s a lady with a heart of gold. I’m happy for her as she assumes her position as the President of the Rotary Club of Akure City, and I wish her a successful tenure.”
On his part, notable businessman; Auctioneer Omosoji Samson Omotade; hailed the historical feat made by Rotarian Okon.
His words: “Rotarian Juliet Okon is a wonderful woman. Today, she has made history as the fifth President of the Rotary Club of Akure City, and as well, the Club’s first female President. She’s one Rotarian that has a very strong force. She’s dedicated in her duties to Rotary Club and service to humanity. I wish her a very good tenure and the very best.”
Another awardee; Mrs. Omolola Fadumiye; a Paul Harris fellow, an entrepreneur and a fellow Rotarian, showered encomiums on the new Club’s President as she described her in sterling words.
“I’m dedicating this award to God Almighty and humanity. And I promise to do more for humanity. In Rotary, we are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Rotarian Juliet Okon has done a lot for mankind, and she’s going to do more, especially in the areas of education, health, social amenities and every other humanitarian endeavour.
” She’s the first female President of Rotary Club in Akure City and I wish her all the very best. As a selfless Rotarian that she is, I wish her good luck and more strength for her to continue to carry out her duties.” She said.
© PRESENT NIGERIA
