By Our Reporter
It was a historic event last Saturday June 14, 2025 as members of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi District 9141 Nigeria came out in their numbers to install Rotarian Benjamin Orabueze as their 41st president.
The colourful and well attended ceremony, which coincided with the club’s 40th Anniversary, was held at FB Garden in Port Harcourt, attracted personalities from far and near, including past district Governors of Rotary.
Delivering her valedictory speech before handing over the baton of leadership to the new President, outgoing President Rtn. Felicia Obioma Barber (FOB) expressed gratitude over the opportunity to serve the club in the last one year.
She said the overwhelming support accorded her by the members of the club was the tonic that helped her to execute all the seven areas of focus in Rotary, while expressing the belief that incoming President, Rtn. Orabueze, will sustain the tempo.
Fielding questions from newsmen after being decorated with the Presidential Rotary medal, Rtn. Ben Orabueze said he was excited by the honour done him.
He assured that he will do his best to succeed in his new assignment, and ensure that the club continue to move to greater heights with the support of the members.
“I will do my best to increase our membership which is the life wire of every Rotary Club as well as treat them well so that they will not leave to another club”, he said.
When quizzed on the possibility of surpassing the record of project execution being reeled out by his predecessor, Rtn. Orabueze replied thus: “Well, in Rotary we don’t do competition, but a transition whereby one who is at the head will work and another person will come in to continue from where his or her predecessor stopped, and may even advance a bit further based on availability of funds as the work of Rotary is humanitarian service which does not end in day.”
The elated Rtn. Orabueze described his predecessor as a wonderful woman who has done creditably well for the past one year she has been on the saddle, and express belief that she will also stand by him to succeed.
While commending the Installation Committee members for a job well done, Rtn. Orabueze equally took time to sue for support from members and well-meaning individuals.
Projects to be embarked on by the club for the 2025/2026 Rotary year include water and sanitation, Basic Education/Spelling Bee, Maternal Health Care, Eye Camp Treatment, Teachers Training among others.
Also, Chairman, Installation Committee Rtn. Prince Chima Wosu described the installation as a huge success.
He expressed faith in the ability of Rtn. Ben Orabueze to pilot the affairs of Rotary Club of Trans Amadi District 9141 Nigeria to an enviable height with the support of the members.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of Award to some members of the club, for their outstanding service during the year under review, induction of New Board of Directors and the cutting of the Installation Cake by the new President Rtn. Ben Orabueze.
