Day Professor Igwe stole the show at Installation of Asonye as 18th President of Rotary Club, Maryland Enugu

BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU

When Paul Percy Harris with his three law clients – Silvester Shiele, Gustavus Lochi, Hiram Shorey, founded Rotary on February 23, 1905, the idea was principally to unite neighbours, band together business and professionals in friendship and fellowship.

Today, Rotary in line with the vision of its founding fathers has become a global network of 1.4million members, uniting people and creating lasting change across the world.

Little wonder, last Sunday, July 2, was a special day for all Rotarians from Rotary Club of Maryland, Enugu, Enugu State as it was a day they fixed for the installation of Mazi Innocent Asonye as their 18th President.

The Rotary Club also used the occasion to bestow meritorious awards on Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various human endeavours.

The event proper started at about 4.30pm with recognition of guests which followed by a call to order by the President.

Next was the Rotary prayer followed by the Four Way Test which is the soul of the Rotary Club.

Welcoming the members, the Chair, Installation Committee, PAG Stella Eneh, noted, “Rotarians are business men and professionals who are united in the ideal of service.

“In Rotary we embark in so many humanitarian projects: promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, hygiene, save mothers and children, support education etc.

“We hope that today inspires ideas and discussions around the ways that we make our world a better place”, she said

Speaking at the occasion, the newly installed President, said, “this gathering here today is not just about me or us. It is about humanity, the ultimate joy we share as Rotarians is that we continually making the world a better place for all.”

His words: “We do not pretend that service is easy, however, we understand that giving is not reserve for the rich and a little drop of water makes an ocean.

“We have called you here today to partner with us and together we shall contribute our quota in serving, by alleviating the suffering of those we are better than as the obvious imbalance in humanity is enormous. Believe me, the fulfilment thereafter can never be equated when a single life is positively affected.

Asonye hails from Azu-oze Amuvi Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, holds Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphics Department of Fine and Applied Arts from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu.

The new President is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Achinno Productions and an Advocate of youth, an entrepreneur, consultant, business man and philanthropist whose selfless life style has affected many people positively.

Among the awardees were: Professor (Emeritus) Samuel Chukwunoyeremu Ohaegbulam of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu, Barrister Emeka Ede, Fred Ejutemieden, PAG Tony Onyia.

If there was any award winner whose profile excited the audience most, it was the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Professor Monday Igwe.

This reporter who covered the colourful event held at Predia Hotel&Suits, Enugu observed that the venue was electrified the moment Professor Igwe and his entourage stepped into the arena.

The credentials of Professor Igwe, from Amokwe Umudomi, Igboeze Onicha in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State give an inspiration as he holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Master in Public Health from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) He is also a fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and a former Faculty Board member in the Faculty of Psychiatry.

Prior to the Rotary Club award, Professor Igwe had won others which include: Best pupil, Onicha Central School 1982, Best graduating science student, Federal Government College, Okigwe 1988, Award winner in rural development, National Youth Service Corps, Oyo State, 1987, Professional from developing country, travel fellowship, International meeting for autism research Philadelphia, USA 2010.

Professor Igwe has to his credit over 50 academic publications in both local and international peer reviewed journals. He has attended several workshops and presented several papers in local and international conferences.

Trust Journalists, Professor Igwe who received Humanitarian Service Award was “ambushed” by reporters shortly after he stepped down from the podium.

Professor Igwe said that he dedicated the award to staff of his hospital, calling on wealthy individuals, groups and establishments to assist mentally-sick patients, especially those abandoned by their relatives and friends at the hospital.

He noted that the intake, treatment and outright daily care of mentally-sick patients were becoming a burden to the hospital and its benevolent staff, who cannot hold back but help.

The medical director noted that the hospital had a pile up of unpaid bills, adding “we cannot locate their relatives or friends, who brought the patient to the hospital in the first place.”

“We cannot send them away or throw them out onto the streets; we ensure they are fed, clothed, cleaned up, accommodated and provided with the needed medical services.

“In the spirit of Rotary, we are calling on our people, especially people that have extra, to come to the aid of our patients, because there are a lot of them that have been abandoned by their relatives, caregivers and friends.

“As things are now, we cannot easily take care of them any longer without the support of the wealthy groups and establishments around us,” he said.

Igwe also urged Nigerians to remember patients in the hospital as they visit other special-needs centres during festivities and merriments, whereas “our own patients are the people who need such donations more than other people because our patients most times have no one to take care and show love to them.

“Our patients are entirely dependent on other people, unlike other patients that can take care of themselves,” he said.

“It is because of the dedication of staff that we have achieved what you can visibly see and feel today about the hospital. We will continue to put in our best and see how we will continue to help our people and humanity in general,” he said.

The high points of the event were unveiling of 2023/2024 projects, America action, induction of new members, inauguration of Board Directors, and cutting of cake.

Editor

Jude Ossai (JP) a veteran journalist is a National Diploma holder in Mass Communication from Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. He also studied at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu and Imo State University, Owerri for his first and second degrees in Mass Communication, respectively. He writes extensively on politics, crime, corruption, climate change, healthcare, human rights, social justice, among others.