From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
As part of its efforts in building responsible citizens in the society, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt North, has 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, the youngest body of Rotary founded 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 programmes 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 the Interact club was officially inaugurated on 28 October 1962, said “Interact was Rotary’s approach to a programme that enables 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 drugs will mentor the students to shun all types of drug taking and focus on development instead of being destroyed.
