…as club eye school, hospital project for adopted community
By Gloria Ikibah
It was an evening of celebration and reflection as the Rotary Club of Abuja Unity marked its one-year anniversary with an inspiring keynote address delivered by Rotarian Lovina Okorn-Ntui, a member of the Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa and recipient of the Star Award. 
Speaking on the theme “Unity in Service: One Year of Impactful Service to Humanity,” Rotarian Okorn-Ntui commended the club’s immediate past president, Rotarian Adebayo, describing him as “a man of calibre and capacity, with passion and commitment.”
Reflecting on the essence of Rotary, Okorn-Ntui reminded members that true service begins with building relationships: “Whether you came into Rotary to travel, to network, to build relationships or to serve humanity, you must first build a relationship. The founder of Rotary started with relationship-building, and from that came community service.”
Quoting the Rotary Four-Way Test, she urged members to live by its principles—truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship—rather than reciting them mechanically.
“If we live the Four-Way Test and the Object of Rotary, it will not only transform our clubs but also our lives and communities,” she said.
Rotarian Okorn-Ntui emphasised the importance of unity and shared responsibility within the club: “The president is just one person. We have the secretary, treasurer, project chair, and every member of the club—each has a role to play. For us to succeed, we must work in unity, harmony, and agreement.”
Drawing from her personal Rotary journey, she shared how leadership had transformed her confidence: “I used to be a very shy person, but serving as club president helped me grow. In Rotary, you lead volunteers—captains of industry and professionals. You must learn to persuade and unite, not command.”
She also reminded members of the core Rotary principle of service above self:
You serve without expecting any reward. If you don’t have a heart to give, Rotary is not for you. But when you start right, the blessings will follow.”
Commending the Rotary Club of Abuja Unity for its achievements, she praised the club’s community projects and partnerships:
“You have adopted two communities and executed impactful projects, including the maternal and child health initiative in Dutse. The presence of Rotary is visible here, and that tells a story of service and commitment.”
Highlighting challenges that can hinder club growth, Rotarian Okon-Ntui pointed out issues such as poor communication, lack of trust, and limited teamwork: “We must communicate clearly, be open, transparent, and inclusive. Let us carry everyone along in all we do.”
She lauded President Uche Amanambu for her leadership style, noting “the touch of a woman” in the beautification and reorganisation of the Rotary Centre, saying: “What value are you leaving behind? Everyone has footprints to leave, everyone has value to add.”
She therefore called on members to serve with empathy and compassion: “We are all interconnected. Unity in service means serving one another with love, patience, and understanding. That is the true spirit of Rotary.”
The Club President, Rotarian Dr Uche Amanambu reflected on the club’s achievements and outlined ambitious plans to expand its impact through education and healthcare initiatives.
Speaking during the celebration, Dr Amanambu expressed pride in the club’s progress since its inception.
“Rotary Club of Abuja Unity started a year ago, and we have done so much, especially in our adopted community, which is not far from here. We’ve carried out several projects—running medical tests, supporting mothers and children—but the community has neither a school nor a hospital. Our plan is to build both”, she said
She highlighted the club’s strong participation in Rotary’s global initiatives, particularly in the fight against polio.
“During the last polio campaign, we made appearances at four different times. It will interest you to know that in just one month, our club has produced one Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), and another is on the way. By the foundation dinner, two of our members would have contributed $1,000 each,” she explained.
Dr Amanambu also noted that her personal charity work complements her Rotary service.
“I run an NGO, and through it we’ve been able to support Rotary projects. I keep encouraging other NGOs to collaborate with us so we can touch more lives. If you are not a giver, you cannot be a Rotarian.”
Sharing her passion for service, she revealed how her private foundation, Fortune Liberation Centre, supports vulnerable families.
“I carry new converts, give them jobs, pay their house rent, and sponsor their children’s education. I also settle hospital bills. My life has been a life of service,” she said.
Dr Amanambu further mentioned efforts to extend Rotary membership to Nigerians in the diaspora, including her own children. “My son is going to be a Rotarian abroad. We plan to pin him online. Many of our members support from overseas—they contribute financially even if they don’t attend meetings,” she added.
On the global fight against polio, the club president underscored Rotary’s continued commitment.
“When you talk about the eradication of polio, you cannot exclude Rotary. We’ve done so much for polio eradication. Even though Nigeria has been declared polio-free, we must continue until it’s eradicated globally because as long as it exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, it remains a threat.
“All the funds we raise today go towards our polio fund account. Our mission is to keep serving humanity and to ensure Rotary’s impact is felt across every community”, she said.
The event was attended by Rotarians from across Abuja, friends, and partners, to celebrate not only a year of service but also the enduring values of fellowship, unity, and humanity that define Rotary.
