From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
As part of its effort in building responsible citizens in the society, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt North organised a one day sensitization programme on choice of career and leadership for students of Community Secondary School Okporo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The chapter of the club also inaugurated a new Interact group, youngest body of Rotary found in secondary schools, an organisation aimed at developing the young people even before they approach the institution of higher learning.
One of the key speakers at the event, Frank Eni, District Chairman, Interact Committee, stated that Rotary International is interested in the development of the youths who he said represents the future of the nation.
Mr Eni said to ensure that the youths are well endowed for the role of leadership and preserving the future of mankind, “Rotary International has specifically mapped out a number of programs to help prepare the youth, which include: Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, Rotary Youth Exchange and New Generation Exchange.”
He noted that the mission of Interact club is “To provide an opportunity for young people to work together in a world fellowship dedicated to service and international understanding. Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of service above self.”
Eni who disclosed that Interact club was official inaugurated on 28 October 1962, said “Interact was Rotary’s approach to a program that enabled the youth to serve both in their communities and internationally. Instead of the Rotarians serving the youth, high school students were now able to take part in the process of improving the community.”
He added that there are 20,372 Interact clubs, with 486,556 Interactors in 159 countries.
On her part, Barr Blessing Michael, President, Rotary Club Port Harcourt North, said they were at the school to sensitise the students on how to choose a future career and utilise for nation’s building.
She said the training by a Commander of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on abuse of drug will mentor the students to shun all types of drug taking and focus on development instead of being destroyed.
“Basically, we have an Interact club here known as Interact Club of Community Secondary School Okporo. We came today to give the students a talk on how to guide them because we are aware that at this period they are preparing for their JAMB and WAEC examinations.
“So we came to talk to them on how to know those areas that they will delve into in future as guides to enable them ascertain what course to study in the university, because most of them want to study courses their parents properly had asked them to study. But we need them to know that if they have passion for a certain thing or certain area it can be a sign to what they will do and excel in future.
“We have professionals today who came to talk to them, even an NDLEA commander who came to talk to them about the ills of drug taking and abuse of drugs.
“On the same hand, we also have the formal presentation of the Chartered Certificate to the Interact club of Community Secondary School Okporo. We formally decorate their president today and handed out their Chartered certificate to them as well and exposed them to the ideals of Rotary.
“We taught them about the Rotary leadership award programme which is established by Rotary for students and child their age, from age 13 to 20. They are usually exposed through this programme as children where they are camped within three days and given proper training on life leadership trainings,” the club president added.
Meanwhile, President of the Interact Club in the school, Isaac Ugochi, has applauded members of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt North for the programme.
Miss Ugochi promised to use her office judiciously to the development of of her fellow students in the school.
“Rotary club visited our school today and is a great day to us. The club has come to put some useful things in the mind of the young people whereby educating us on career and ideas on how to choose our careers in higher institution.
“Rotary club has done so much for us, meanwhile giving us a higher standard of motivation in rendering services to human.
“From the motivations and all the teachings of my bigger bodies, as the President, I will ensure that I do something that will positively affect the lives of the young ones even my peer groups. I will ensure they bring out a motivational project that will aid the students in the future chosen career.”
