District Governor’s Message for July 2023.
My Dear Friends,
I trust you are in good health and high spirits as we embark on a new Rotary year 2023/2024.
PDG Mightyman and his amiable spouse Blessing have passed the mantle to Stella and I, after a very successful year, Imagining and Rejuvenating.
You know what, in only 12 short months from now, we will be doing likewise to DGE Chinedu and Ebele!
So what can we achieve in the 365 days in between?
The answers of course are many and the great news is that your District and your Club Leadership Teams have had plenty of opportunities to prepare thoroughly for the coming year at the first ever Joint District Training that was held in January 2023 in Port Harcourt.
I want to especially appreciate the CPC Chair Rtn Ibim Semenitari, the HOC Chairs PAG Chidi Okoro, AG A.O Peter, PAG Izuora Okafor and Rtn Ofon Harcourt- Whyte for exceptionally pulling that off.
I also want to congratulate and thank each of you for the time, effort, and energy that you’ve invested as you’ve prepared your plans for the coming year.
It is essential now, however, that we implement these plans and carry them through.
If not, all our training and preparation will have gone to waste, and we can neither afford that to happen – nor will we let it!
One thing for sure is that the 8,760 short hours that make up the 2023/2024 Rotary year will be gone before we know it.
So, we can’t afford to wait, let’s put our plans into action from the very first day of this Rotary year.
If we invest the time now, then the rest of the year will go well for us.
The next two months are therefore key to our success!
Rotary International President Gordon McInally has challenged each of us to Create Hope in the World (Powerful call to action) and the best way for us to achieve this, is for every one of us to get actively involved in at least one area of our club that we enjoy and where we can best put our skills and vocation to good use.
Regardless of whether you are the newest or most experienced Rotarian, you have significant value to offer your club and community, whether it is in Humanitarian, Club service, Youth service, Membership, or our Rotary Foundation.
It is your responsibility, as a Rotarian, to contribute your time and talent and it’s your President and Committee Chairs’ responsibility to ask you to get involved! So please make their life easier by smiling and saying yes when they do and if they don’t – remind them that you’re ready and willing.
I am pleased to announce to you that DG Conor Gee via their District RFE Chair PDG Osei David Andrew-Hutchinson has graciously agreed to be our host for the Rotary Friendship Exchange program to his District 6450, Rotary’s Birthplace Rotary Club of Chicago with an opportunity to attend the Rotary Institute of zones 25B & 29.
Our RFE Chair Clement Iroba will as a matter of urgency roll out details after today to enable Rotarians seek for Visa and it’s a added advantage for those who already have one
I’ve also challenged everyone of us to show APPRECIATION to Communities and ourselves in everything we do.
Rotarians work so hard serving humanity and are highly under appreciated and so this year, we will show more love to ourselves in order to give our best as we serve Humanity.
My dear friends, let me also use this opportunity to Introduce the latest innovation in our District – The Rotary Foundation Warrior or Defender-
Become a pioneer Warrior or Defender of the Rotary Foundation when you donate a minimum of $1000 or $100 to the Foundation between July 1 – 7, 2023 respectively and get decorated by the District Governor on the 8th of July at the DG’s Installation.
Isn’t that amazing?
Speaking about Installation, on the 7th & 8th day of July, all Roads shall be leading to Asaba, to witness the 7th District Governor Installation of our dear District.
I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the HOC Chair PAG Ochuko Mejire, his team and the entire Rotarians on the efforts put in so far towards the preparation of this great event.
Remember, July is Maternal and Child Health Month. Let us continue to show Appreciation to the Mothers, Expectant mothers and the babies born and unborn as we execute projects that Create Hope in the world for them.
See you all in Asaba.
Stay committed to Create HOPE in the World
Yours in Rotary Service,
Emeke M.M Utebor.
Governor 2023/2024
RI District 9141