Former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, was this afternoon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, inducted as an Honourary Member of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Gateway – the highest honour a Rotary Club can bestow on any individual.
The honour, according to Rotarian Basil Mbanefo, Charter President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Gateway, was bestowed on Prof. Akunyili for her“continuous track record in community development and exemplary life style which are in tune with Rotary ideals.”
He explained that as an Honourary Member for the 2012/2013 Rotary year, Prof. Akunyili “is permitted to wear the Rotary lapel pin which confers on her all the privileges of an active Rotarian.”
In her acceptance speech, Prof. Akunyili, who was represented by her sister, Mrs. Ngozi, Ezenwankwo, a Chartered Accountant, expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and members of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Gateway for the honour.
She expressed delight that she was being honoured almost two years after she last held public office, describing it as yet another reminder that Nigerians appreciate the little she was able to do when she was given the opportunity to serve her fatherland.”
Akunyili pledged her “continued commitment towards the advancement of the cause of the mission of Rotary Club, which is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”
The one-time Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), called on “all Nigerians to rise to the challenge of making the country a better place by identifying with Rotary’s commitment to peace through development.”
“There could be no better time to do this than now, when we are facing enormous challenges in the area of peace. I am sure that committing ourselves to peaceful development as advocated by Rotary Club will help to stop the needless violence ravaging our dear country and heal the wounds that it has inflicted on us as a Nation and as a people,” she said.
Prof. Akunyili’s induction was one of the highlights of the Charter Presentation Ceremony and Installation of Rotarian Basil Mbanefo as Charter President and along with incoming officers of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Gateway.
Isaac Umunna
Special Assistant on Media to Prof. Dora Akunyili
