Peterside Preaches Justice, Peace At Rotary Club Ceremony

People in authority as well as well-placed individuals in society have been charged to seek to promote the welfare of all, especially the less-privileged, in order to promote peace in the society.

The member representing OpobolNkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dakuku Peterside made the call last Saturday in Port Harcourt at the installation of Mrs. Virginia Major as the president of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, District 9140 Nigeria.

Peterside, a former Commissioner for Work in Rivers State who was guest speaker at the ceremony noted that peace had taken flight at global, national, community and family levels because of injustice.

In his presentation with the theme: “Enhancing Peace through Service and Community Development” the lawmaker regretted that those who are in position to make the difference had pursued their individual interests such as quest for political power, excellence in professional pursuit and business success, “without sparing a thought for the less privileged” Insisting that the lack of conflict does not translate to peace in society.

Peterside stated that the denial of fundamental rights and basic amenities such as access to land and other welfare needs could endanger individual and communal peace.

He commanded Rotary Club for making the difference, especially in its commitment to child and maternal care, water and sanitation programmes and the fight against polio.

Charging Rotarians to continue to live by the club’s precepts, the lawmaker stressed the need for leaders to inspire communities to be helpful to themselves.

According to him, there is no better way to serve God and humanity than through selfless service.

In her speech, the president 2012/2013, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, Mrs. Virginia Major said the club which is only two years old emerged the best in the district comprising of 102 clubs because it is populated by focused and service-driven members.

The president who also unveiled the club’s service projects solicited the support of Rotarians and friends for the Rotary Foundation which she said, is Rotary International’s way of seeking funds through voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends.

According to her, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA will in the 2012/2013 service year seek to improve water and sanitation delivery as well as maternal and child health in its constituency.

It will also engage in conflict resolution and peace efforts as well as fight polio, prostate and breast cancer among others, Major said.

According to her, the club’s signature project-Einstein Science Challenge, which she said was designed to make science fun to young people, will be pursued as well as micro-finance for women.

Earlier, the out-going president of the club, Sam Mba had enumerated his achievements since assuming office on July 16, 2011 as 201112012 president, thanking his predecessor, Rotarian Winston Bell-Gam and other members for their support.

According to him, the club undertook career talks in secondary schools, a vocational award night, training of a fashion designer and a mechanic, and disbursement of loans to petty traders.

Mba said the club also participated in the Rotary Foundation Month activities, the World Diabetes Day and the World Understanding Day activities as well as visited some media houses as a public relations project.

Highlights of the ceremony were the induction of 18 new members including the Executive Director of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, Mr. Noble Pepple.

The installation ceremony attracted many dignitaries including former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Rotarian G.T.G. Toby.

Also present were the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari who, along with the General Manager, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Ms Mediline Tador, herself a Rotarian and President-Elect of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, were the masters of ceremony.

Others who graced the event were the Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Mrs. Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Rotary District Governor, 2003/2004, Odoliyi Lolomari, former President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ama Opu-Senibo Bobo S. Brown, former Deputy Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Sir Igoni William Park and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Mr. Maclean Uranta.