Rotary is described as an international organization that uses passion and talent to provide voluntary service to humanity, improve lives, and commit to supporting peace efforts.
It also creates avenues to fight life-threatening emergencies, such as polio, regardless of color, region, or faith, with a view to making the world a better place.
This was part of submissions during the installation of the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service Training School, Kaduna, Rotarian Portia Aji as the sixtieth President of the club in the state.
In her acceptance speech, Rotarian Portia Aji said, Rotary Club of Kaduna, being one of the foremost in Nigeria and the pioneer club in the state, with sixty years of service to humanity had laid a good foundation for her smooth take off.
She expressed commitment to use her skills and competence to connect with the world toward strengthening existing relationships, and pursue new connections and support to ensure effective execution of projects across the state in line with the core values of Rotary.
The associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Secretary of the Kaduna chapter noted that a key agenda for the new Rotary year will be the donation of 3D mammogram X-ray machines to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Shika, Zaria, and Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital in Kaduna.
This initiative aims to aid in the early detection of breast cancer and reduce the increasing incidence of the disease in northwest Nigeria.
The New leader said “all projects shall be within the Rotary seven key areas of focus such as planting of One thousand fruits and economic trees at the kaduna state university to complement the effort of kaduna state government’s ten million tree planting project to curb climate change,
“Donation of antenatal, post natal and Mama kits to pregnant women, and nursing mothers in public health centers, across selected public hospitals in kaduna,
“A book drive for public schools tag, gift a book, gift a future, by donating one thousand dictionaries to public primary schools across the state,
Others according to her include: “visit to correctional facilities, IDP’s and orphanage homes with clothing and food items. Training of secondary school girls on how to make reusable sanitary pads,
“As part of its medical outreach, the club would embark on Deworming of school age children across some selected schools to strengthen their immune system” Rotarian Portia said.
From L-R former president of rotary club of kaduna, Mrs. Susan Bassey and the new president Rotarian. Portia Stephanie Aji
The outgoing president, Rotarian Susan Bassey in her hand over speech said 11 projects were successfully carried out during her tenure , noting also that, the club was not indebted to the district and rotary internationals as all bills were fully paid.
She said, the club provided and revitalized borehole, renovated toilet and donated water tank to demonstration primary school, Kakuri Hausa in kaduna.
Adding that, the club also donated items such as mosquito nets, baby food, pampers deliver pads, and detergent soap for eighty five patients at the maternal ward at Barrau Dikko specialist Hospital, kaduna.
She highlighted several key achievements of the club during the last Rotary year, including a medical outreach to mark World Hepatitis Day, the planting of 5,500 trees at Kaduna Polytechnic College of Environment, Barnawa, and Babban Saura Junction, joint projects on maternal health at Psychiatric Hospital, activities for World Polio Day, and a health awareness campaign to mark World Family Health Day at Kabalan Dauki, Kaduna.
Rotary Club of Kaduna was created in 1965 with the aim of promoting peace, fighting diseases, providing clean water, and supporting education and healthcare, growing local economy as well as protecting the environment.
Daniel Karlmax
