By Jude Atupulazi
The Rotary Club of Amawbia Sports City on Sunday, 7th July 2024, honoured a reporter with Fides Newspaper, Mr Ikeugonna Eleke, with a Distinguished Service Award in Peace Building.
Also, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, was honoured with a Distinguished Leadership Excellence Award.
Rtn. Prof. Nnamdi Obikeze, the president of the club, who presented the award to the journalist, said that Eleke had, through his practice of journalism, distinguished himself.
‘You have through the practice of journalism brought peace to society. What you are doing is part of peace building, and we urge you not to relent.
‘Rotary is particular about peace in the world and spends a lot of money every year to send members on training on peace building. That is why I consider this, the best of all the awards we have given today,’ he said.
Friends and family members of the journalist were on ground to cheer him as he received the award.
Eleke, while receiving the award, expressed delight, saying that he was just trying to make a positive impact on society using his craft, but never knew he could be noticed.
He said: ‘The man who is in the arena dancing, does not know how well he is shaking his buttocks. I’m pleasantly surprised that from my small corner, churning out stories every day, that Rotary Club International, Amawbia Sports City, could spot me.’
Also, the award to the Ag. Vice Chancellor was presented to the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze, who represented the vice Chancellor.
Omenugha appreciated the Sports City Club for the honour and thanked them for always championing the cause of a service-driven and just society. She reassured them of her commitment to the core values of human existence, reiterating that the 3Vs – Values, Viability and Visibility, Policy of COOU were within the ambit of the desired ideals of the prestigious Rotary International.
She encouraged the new Club Leadership to uphold and surpass the achievements of their predecessors, emphasizing the importance of influencing and achieving more as a true testament to effective leadership.
Rtn. Prof. Nnamdi Obikeze; Rtn. Prof. Ralph Okigbo; Dr. Denis Ekemezie; Hon. Obioma Mbanefo; among others, were among the dignitaries who witnessed the event.
