By Mimi Chiadikaobi in Awka
Mr Chidi Obiudu, President of Rotary Club of Awka Smithtown, District 9124, has called on Rotarians to keep alive the mission of Rotary International (RI) by promoting peaceful co-existence amongst the public.
Obiudu made the call in Awka during a anniversary ceremony to mark 116 years of Rotary International existence as an international Club that is based on service to humanity.
He said that RI was formed on February 23 1905 at Chicago by Paul Harris , the founder, Gustavus Loehr ,Silvesrer Schiele and Hiram Shorey
“ The meeting of these four noble men in Loehr’s office in 1905 was the first Rotary club meeting. The desire for friendship among business associates brought these men together and eventually led to an international organisation of service and fellowship,” he said .
Obiudu,who said that Rotary set February as a peace and conflict prevention resolution month, appealed to members to mark 2021 celebration by ensuring healthy and peaceful co-existence in the society.
He said that Rotary family was committed to pursuing projects that address the structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and unequal distribution of resource.
Mr Abuchi Nwozor, president Rotary club of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, said that during February, Rotary Peace Building and Conflict Prevention month, Rotarians usually celebrate their commitment to build peace and mitigate conflict.
Nwozor urged the public to embrace RI ideas and foster peaceful environment and accept people,irrespective of their social class, religious belief and ethic belief.
Prof. AU Nnonyelu of Nnamdi Azikwe University,called on the Rotarians in the zone to increase friendship through drive for membership as a way to mark rotary birthday, saying that with true and genuine friendship, the world will be a better place.
Dr Emman Udeh-Akpeh,poinner District Governor RI, said that Rotary existed in the first formation to give friendship to the world.
He said that the four friends rotate used to their meeting in order to build healthy friendship,knowing each other closely and making everyone profession diginifable .
“In Rotary there is no classification of status,we are all equal and share friendship in a manner to benefit majority of the world.
“Rotary played a huge role in the fight against polio,peace as well as well conflict prevention and resoulation”he said.
Mr Chika Ekwueme. Past Assistant Governor and chairman, Peace Building . Conflict Prevention and Resolution Committee,urged Rotarians and the public to emulate the ideas of RI.
Ekwueme said that “ February 23, Rotary’s 116th Birthday is also World Understanding and Peace Day, Clubs are encouraged to mark the month by undertaking projects in the following areas:
“Organise training that fosters understanding and provide communities with skills to resolve conflicts, liaise with Rotary community corps and community based Rotaract clubs.
“Create awareness for Rotary Pease fellowships and scholarships. a great opportunity to train leaders that would become peace advocates and use their knowledge to better their communities.
He said: “ Undertake Advocacy visits to our political, religious, traditional and community leaders on rising ethnic tension, communal conflicts, violence and banditry.
“ Organize programmes that target youths in secondary and tertiary institutions on consequences of violence, cultism and drug abuse.
“ Improving dialogue and community relations to determine how best to manage natural resources, Clubs to organise peace summit in collaboration with other peace based organisations.
He advised members to address conflict affecting membership growth and extension, adding that members were expected to apply same principles of resolutions to address the challenges affecting committes. challenges.
He further urged the public to seek out for projects and services that would help integrate vulnerable population into society, erect and commission at least one peace billboard to remind the public of need to be peaceful.
“ Organise a peace walk at zonal or state level to commemorate world Understanding and Peace Day. Honour and recognise individuals that have distinguished themselves in peace project as peace champions.
“ Such actions promotes peace which is part of the goal of RI, let be guided always by the four test of rotary , we should work hard to maintain peace in our society,” he added.
