Rotary Club inaugurates Gudu Charter, pledges provision of scholarship, education materials
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By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, March 13, 2020 (NAN) The Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged to provide basic education materials to pupils and award scholarship to about 200 indigent students within the district as part of its humanitarian services.
The inaugural Charter President Ogechi Nwadoka at the charter presentation and fund raising dinner held on Thursday night in Abuja, also pledged the charter’s commitment to providing toilet facilities to schools within the district.
Nwadoka said that the club believed that the projects, when implemented, would support the Federal Government’s efforts in returning out-of-school children to classrooms and meet the target of ending open defecation in the country by 2025.
On the provision of basic education materials to pupils and award of scholarships to indigent students, Uwadoka said that the club was looking at providing writing materials, school uniforms, schools fees, sandals, school bags or other things that would motivate them going to schools.
She said while the target was 200 pupils the number could be expanded with more available fund.
On scholarship, Uwadoka said that the club was targeting about N30,000 per pupil in basic level and about N80,000 for those in primary schools.
“For now we cannot go into secondary school because it will heavier for us. You will also find out that the money we will use for one secondary school child can take care of about five secondary school children,” she said.
On provision of toilets for both public and private schools, Uwadoka said their visits to schools revealed that some of them have toilets but no water, while some don’t even have the facilities.
“We have looked at it that for those who have toilet facilities, we will renovate. For those that lack access to water, we will provide water, such as boreholes. For those who don’t have toilet facilities at all, we are ready to provide,” she said.
Uwadoka added that other projects of the club for the year included provision of water for Gudu community; women and youth training on skills acquisition and empowerment; equipping of Maternal units with delivery beds and Baby Incubators;
“Medical outreach programmes, provide free health services and basic checks, especially Hepatitis B checks and subsidized vaccinations,” Uwadoka said.
She, however, pledged judicious and prudent use of the fund raised at this event for the purpose it was meant for.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that event featured the presentation of Charter Certificate, the installation of Uwadoka as the charter president and induction of 25 members of the Gudu club by the District 9125 Governor, Mr Victor Onukwugah.
Onukwugah speaking with NAN said that since the formation of Rotary Club it had rendered numerous humanitarian services in six core areas including education, maternal healthcare, peace and conflict resolution; in many countries including Nigeria.
“The polio eradication program we have today was an initiation of the Rotary Club. In fact the club sponsored the vaccine. When it became a success, we brought in government, World Health Organisation, United Nations and other partners.
Some of the inducted members of the new club were Agbroko Oboratare, Ajieje Austine, Dare Rinret, Durojaye Foluke, Ekundayo Adedeji, Manji Wilson, Ezenagu Kizita, Fuanbial Erasmus, Mabel Segun-Bello, Zulihat Mamman, Salome Anyasodo and Donald Eguagie.
Others inducted Charter members of the club included Sule Rita, Tanyishi Hassan, Udenwa Kelechi, Ofem Ofem, Osho Simon, Monye Anthonia, Muojindu Neanneka and Kadiya Emmanuel.(NAN)
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan