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In a spirited and impactful ceremony held at the Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, on Friday, August 8, 2025, the Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire installed Rotarian Dr. Pat Ifeanyi Oramah as its 8th President. The event was marked by powerful speeches, visionary commitments, and a renewed pledge to tackle pressing health challenges in Nigeria, among other humanitarian interventions.

Dr. Oramah, a seasoned consultant and philanthropist, accepted the mantle of leadership with humility and resolve. “With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the honour of serving as the 8th President of Rotary Sapphire Club, Abuja Chapter,” he declared. “Our goal is clear—to leave a legacy of impact.”

His administration will focus on disease prevention and control, with a national campaign to eliminate Hepatitis C. “Hepatitis C remains a silent killer in Nigeria—preventable, curable, yet underdiagnosed,” he said. The club will also partner with international pharmaceutical organizations to provide diabetes sensitization, free testing, and treatment.

Dr. Oramah reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication: “We will continue to drive advocacy, awareness, and vaccination efforts until the very last case is gone.”

In her address, Dame (Dr) Princess Joy Nky Okoro, District Governor of Rotary District 9127, delivered a heartfelt and spontaneous speech that underscored Rotary’s grassroots impact. “Today is a special day because I managed to make this occasion,” she began, recounting her visit earlier that day to a youth camp in Orozo serving over 400 children from across Nigeria.

“They call it the morning light,” she said, describing the joy and unity among the children. “I thank God we have safety in the camp. None of them is seriously sick. We have a doctor and the team doing a very beautiful job.”

She praised the Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire for its choice of leadership: “I want to thank Rotary Club of Abuja Sapphire for having a wonderful man as its president. It’s great. And I know you will do much better this time.”

On polio, she was emphatic: “Polio is a crisis. Our fight for polio is endless till we see total eradication of polio in the world. Nigeria has been certified polio-free five years ago, but we still have two countries in the world that are endemic”, Afghanistan.

She also highlighted the urgency of addressing diabetes: “Another sudden killer. In fact, a doctor told me that it is very wicked. Because of its complications.”

Her closing message was a call to action: “Do you know what you are doing? To fight against these diseases and help humanity—that is a basic job. We go to communities to assist those that do not have the ability to do this. Rotarians are caregivers.”

The immediate past President Rotarian Barr. Obiananma Anne Onwukeme, had in her valedictory speech, reflected on a year of achievement. “I had set 22 goals for our Club this Rotary Year and am pleased to inform us that we achieved all our set goals and won our Club the Rotary International’s Club Excellence Award,” she announced.

Projects included maternal and child health outreach, educational support for indigent students, solar street light installations, and the “Pad a Girl-Child” initiative empowering 400 girls with skills to make reusable sanitary pads.

The immediate past President, who was also the Investiture Committee Chair, earlier welcomed guests with warmth and optimism. “We are positive in the belief that Dr. Oramah’s tenure will be very impactful,” she said. “Rotary is a global organisation that brings together a network of volunteers who dedicate their TIME, TALENT and TREASURE to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.”

The Rotary International theme for the year, “Unite for God,” echoed throughout the ceremony, inspiring attendees to join hands in service and compassion.

The club recognised several individuals for their service to humanity with various Distinguished Service Awards.

Some of the awardees include the former Inspector-General of Police, Sir (Dr) Mike Mbama Okiro, CFR, NPM, mni; founder and group chief executive officer of EdgePlus Capital Limited, Korede Adeyemi; the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrieximbank), Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, CON; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON; the executive director/chief operation officer of Fidelity Bank, Stanley Chiedoziem Amuchie; the immediate past President of Abuja Sapphire and principal partner of Viventi Solicitors, Rotarian Barr Onwukeme; the regional head, Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nosa Ernest Orumwense, among others.

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