From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
It was an evening of excitement when members of the Rotary Club, Awka, honoured an industrialist, Godwin Chukwunaenye Ezeemo, with the honorary membership of the club. By the honour, Ezeemo would have all the rights due to every Rotarian, the club said.
Ezeemo, who is also a philanthropist and politician, was honoured during a house fellowship of Rotary Club of Awka, which he hosted in his country home in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Conferring the honour, the Assistant Governor, Zone 4, Amobi Adirika, noted the charitable works of Ezeemo, part of which was his generous donation to the club, made him a Paul Harris Fellow. He, therefore, encouraged the honouree to keep on with his spirit of generosity.
President of Rotary Club of Awka, Innocent Anekwe, also informed that Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matched every dollar that Rotarians donate to the club with two dollars, to ensure that polio was eradicated from the world. He attributed the achievements recorded so far to the members’ relentless giving of time and money towards immunising children, especially those living in the Third World countries.
Anekwe, who is also a legal practitioner based in Awka, added that the club would soon institute District 9142, which would cover Rotary clubs in four states of the South-East and then Cross River, Delta and Rivers states.
In his remark, Ezeemo, commended the club for its culture of relentless giving to the society, adding that he shared the same spirit of humanity with the Rotary Club.
“Rotary Club and I are on the same path of charity. I have always believed in giving to the less-privileged and touching lives with what God has blessed me.
“Our reward is in heaven; so I encourage all of you to continue in this spirit as there is no nobler stance to life. Selflessly and willingly contributing to the life of the less-privileged to me is the noble way of life. I enjoin Rotarians and humanity in general to keep doing this so as to touch the entire world. Rotary fellowship is enjoyable and I will keep identifying with them.”
Speaking to newsmen, Ezeemo reiterated his excitement at the honour he received from the organisation and maintained that he loved to identify with such organisation with humanitarian intent.
He also seized the opportunity to encourage other well-to-do indigenes of Anambra State and Nigerians to cultivate the culture of giving. This, he said, ennobled more than anything else. Ezeemo regretted that his wife, Nneka, whom he jokingly referred to as his “boss” was not around to enjoy the fellowship.
The meeting, which lasted for an hour, featured singing of Rotary hymns, reviewing of the objectives of the club and the renowned Rotary Four-Wheel Test. Paul Harris fellows, Multiple Paul Harris fellows and Sustaining Paul Harris fellows present were called up for recognition.
A guest at the fellowship, Amaka Inooma, expressed her joy at what she saw. She stated that she was blessed in no small way seeing so many people from various walks of life, giving cheerfully at every instance. She pledged that she would make haste to become a Rotarian.
“I love impacting on lives; I see this platform as one that would help me in doing that constructively.” She also asked other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Ezeemo in giving to charity.
Rotary Club, which has been around for decades is dedicated to alleviating the plight of the poor and the weak in the society. The correspondent learnt that it was about the only organisation that had a seat at the United Nations. It was also one that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnered with in its fight against polio and other challenges around the world. Much of the donations it received went into fighting polio and other ailments around the world.