The Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9142, PDG Akan Emah, convened the 2nd Reunion of his Create Hope Team in Enugu over the weekend, where, in commemoration of the occasion, N1 million was raised to support ten indigent persons to expand their businesses.
At the event, each of the ten beneficiaries, consisting of nine women and a man, received N100,000 each to support their small-scale businesses, with a promise of an additional N50,000 each by next month.
The beneficiaries, who are involved in selling akara (bean cakes), sachet water, okpa (a local corn snack), groundnuts, bananas, and POS services, were visibly elated as they received the funds to boost their businesses.
PDG Emah shared on his official Facebook account how the beneficiaries felt as they left with the support funds.
“Of particular concern is a lady who lost her husband in March of last year. Three months later, she delivered a set of twins. You can imagine how she is coping with the kids. Indeed, each of these individuals has a story to tell about life and how fate has treated them!
“But truly, as a team, we created hope in their lives, and many of them openly cried in appreciation for what we did as a Team for them,” PDG Emah stated.
The theme for that Rotary year was “Create Hope in the World.”
At the end of the service year, the Team held its 1st Reunion in Owerri last July, which, according to PDG Emah, was very memorable.
As Rotarians and Rotary leaders, PDG Emah stated that he and his Team Created Hope in various homes, clubs, communities, and among people in their areas of residence, noting that his Team has continued to Create Hope even after their Service year.
Emah expressed gratitude to Past Rotary Governors including Joshua Hassan, Lizzy Ogugua, Emma Ude Akpe, Sam Uko, and Sagab Ahmed, for honoring their invitation to the 2nd Reunion party. He also thanked PDG Victor Onukwugha, who was scheduled to attend but had his flight to Enugu canceled.
“I am also very grateful to the Deputy Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Akpua, and the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture & Agro Industrialization in Enugu State, Hon. Patrick Ubru, Ph.D., who are also our team members, for their support towards the event.
“Let me also appreciate the presence of Sir Onyi Wammah, the Immediate Past Head of Service in Abia State; His Lordship, Justice Bassey Ekanem; Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, the CMD of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; Dr. Kelechi Eboh, Lead Strategist & Communication for the Nigeria Police Pension; Dr. Emily Nzeribe, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe; and our District Rotaract Representative at the time, PDR Okechukwu.
“To all our team members and the Host Organizing Committee, I am indeed very grateful to each of you. You made it happen. Your donations and support made a significant difference for this event. Thank you so much.
“Above all, I am deeply honored to have PAG Ben as our Team Captain. He is very detailed, proactive, and dedicated. He is a great person charged with the responsibility of managing this Team along with a few others.
“We look forward to the 3rd Edition, which will be held in Akwa Ibom next July. Until then, please continue serving without counting the cost. Create hope that will have a Lasting Impact on the lives of people. I celebrate all of us,” Emah added.
