Rotary Club of Effurun City Centre install Obakponovwe as 6th President for 2026/2027 Rotary year

The Rotary Club of Effurun City Centrein Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, has installed RTN. Akpevwe Obakponovwe as it's 6th President for the 2026/2027.

The installation was officially conducted on Sunday by the outgone president, RTN. Igho Ighomrore in Effurun in presence of other members of the club.

In his acceptance speech, RTN. Obakponovwe expressed gratitude to God and the club.

"It is with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, I stand before you today to accept my investiture as the 6th President of the Rotary Club of Effurun City Centre for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year.

"This investiture is a call to service. I recognize presidency as merely a position of prestige; it is a responsibility to lead with integrity, serve with compassion and deliver results that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve," he said.

Obakponovwe, while unveiling his proposed service projects for the rotary year, said that they were meant to impact meaningfully on the masses.

He highlighted the proposed projects to include: education and youth development; disease prevention and healthcare delivery; access to clean water and sanitation; economic empowerment and community development.  

Explaining the relevance of the proposed projects, the president noted that 
education remained one of the most powerful tools for transforming the society.

"We believe that improving the learning environment of our young people is an investment in the future of our communities. 

"Therefore, we intend to prioritize educational infrastructure through the proposed provision of science laboratory and desks and chairs for Ogbe Secondary School.

"Our goal is to contribute to a learning environment where students can acquire knowledge, develope their potentials, and prepare themselves for meaningful contributions to society," he said.

Obakponovwe also said that the club proposed to support healthcare delivery through the provision of hospital beds and related parent-care support.

He said that the club, through strategic partnerships and responsible resource mobilisation, would support healthcare institutions in addressing the needs of the people.

"We recognize that access to adequate healthcare facilities is fundamental to human dignity. 

"We, therefore, intend to explore maternal and child health interventions, including antenatal outreach programmes to promote healthier pregnancies and safer outcomes for mothers and children," he said.

The new president said that the club would pursue vigorously the provision of clean water through the citing of boreholes while also promoting good sanitation and hygiene for the people.

According to him, access to safer water is essential to public health, personal hygiene and community wellbeing.

On the economic empowerment and community development, Obakponovwe said that the club would  explore women's empowerment initiatives that promote skills development, economic participation and greater financial independence.

He noted that  empowering the women could strengthens families, supports local enterprise, and contribute to the wider development of the society.

Obakponovwe emphasised that the approach to the highlighted initiatives would be guided by proper needs assessment, stakeholder consultation, partnerships, transparent management of resources and monitoring outcomes. 

He, however, said that the listed projects were proposed priorities, adding that their  implementation will depend largely on adequate planning, available resources, collaboration and the necessary approvals.

"We do not intend to pursue projects merely to create headlines. 

"We want to undertake interventions that address real needs, serve identifiable beneficiaries, and offer lasting value to our communities," he said.

Obakponovwe, while calling for collaboration, maintained that the challenges confronting the communities were too enormous for any individual or organization to address in isolation. 

"We must therefore, strengthen our relationships with sister rotary clubs, corporate organizations, government institutions, community leaders, development partners and individuals who share our views and commitment to service," he said.

He urged all partners, friends and well-wishers of Rotary Club of Effurun City Centre to join them in making the rotary year impactful. 

Earlier, in his address of welcome, RTN. Ighomrore, the immediate past president of Rotary Club of Effurun City Centre, advised the new leadership to protect the peace and unity of the club and build on the existing legacies.

"Never allow personal differences, misunderstandings, disagreements, or the pursuit of individual interests to destroy the fellowship we have worked to build.

'Differences of opinion are natural in every organisation, but how we manage those differences determines whether we grow stronger or become divided. 

"Listen to one another and give people the opportunity to express themselves. 

"Treat members with fairness and respect, even when you disagree with them.
Resolve misunderstandings through dialogue, not hostility.

"Let us remember that we are all volunteers who have chosen to serve, and no position in rotary should make anyone feel superior to another member," he advised.

Ighomrore urged the new leadership to focus on people that needed the club's 
services and shun personal ego.

He urged them to focus on projects that respond to genuine need of the communities, while building on the existing legacies of the club.

Ighomrore charged the new leadership to 
respect the contributions of past leaders, appreciate the efforts of present members, and create opportunities for future leaders to grow.

He, however, noted that leadership was a continuous journey.