The Rotary Club International on Tuesday, conferred on the wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, the award of Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
The award reflects the club’s appreciation for the Anambra First Lady’s exploits and important interventions in global health challenges.
The investiture was conducted by delegates from Rotary International, District 9142, comprising all the Rotary clubs in the fives states of the Southeast plus Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States in the South South.
According to Rotary history, the Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, to the tune of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.
The recognition was established in 1957, to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only programme, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
The governor’s wife was also at the ceremony, held at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, decorated as a Polio Ambassador by Rotary International District 9142 to lead a campaign for total eradication of the sickness.
Making the presentation, the District Governor, District 9142 of Rotary International, Akan Emah, explained that Rotary beyond being a service organisation, is also a service association that seeks to help government in different development areas.
He said one of the things that Rotary International is committed is to fighting this year in mental health cases, including depression, but noted that with the introduction of the governor’s wife’s NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye, there has been an increased crusade.
According to him, “In Mrs Soludo’s case, the recognition was for her long-time charitable works and history with healthy living.”
Rotarian Emah noted that even though the scourge of poliomyelitis has been largely defeated, advocacies were still needed to win the war completely, especially in the northern part of the country.
Speaking after her official investiture, Mrs Soludo commended Rotary International for leading an historical advocacy in health, charity and leadership, and for its breakthroughs in polio eradication across the world.
She talked about her admiration for the organization, and explained that the recognition will serve a motivation to increase the pace in her healthy living initiative.
“This investiture means a lot to me and will spur me to continue to do more in promoting the agenda of my healthy living campaign, which centres majorly on saving lives through healthy lifestyles, nutrition, values and so on.
“Rotary International is a global club and I appreciate them so much for this honour.
“This investiture will open the path for more partnership between my campaign and the Club in areas of crucial interests, especially those that affect health,” she promised.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Contact and Mobilization of Rotary International District 9142 and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Special Duties, Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo, commended Mrs Soludo for using her NGO to kick-start a culture of health consciousness in Anambra State.
The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, the Chairman, Host Communities, Polio Plus Summit which is billed for this weekend in Awka, Mrs Olachi Emegakor, the Assistant Governor, Zone 38, Rotarian Abuchi Nwozor of the ABS, and other members of the organization in the District, were at the meeting.
