Change of Baton at Rotary Club of Port Harcourt as Rtn Ikpor Bows out

It was pomp and excitement as the outgoing President, Rotary club of Port Harcourt ECO Rtn Dr Anthony Ikpor handed over the mantle of leadership to Dr  Bieye Renner Briggs.

The annual handover ceremony of the club in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital last week marked the transition of power from Rtn Dr Anthony Ikpor, a bank executive, management consultant, environmental activist and sports enthusiast to the incoming president Rtn Dr Bieye Renner Briggs.

The event our correspondent reports, was a stock taking one, as the club x-rayed its achievements for the past one year and a time to reflect on the future of the incoming Rotary year.

The outgoing President, Rtn Dr Anthony Ikpor who in his farewell address, has applauded the members of the club for their unalloyed support, encouragement and commitment also thanked them for the love, collaboration and robust synergy that existed during his tenure insisting that such should be extended to his successor.

Highlighting some the club's achievements, during his tenure, Ikpor said "Rotary club of Port Harcourt ECO is happy to pride itself as one of the vibrate Rotary clubs in Port Harcourt in particular and Nigeria in general as Rotary club of Port Harcourt ECO is the second Eco club in Africa and the first in West Africa and has attended level Two-Donor status within the short period of its existence”

He added that the club which started in the year 2020 and chartered in February 11, 2021 has embarked on numerous programmes during the tenures of the charter president Rtn Dr Emem Okon and Rtn Davis Okarevu respectively.

Ikpor, emphasized that the club which its core mandate is environmental protection and advocacy has planted over 5, 000 trees, in its tree planting campaign in Port Harcourt. Continuing, he said  in December 2023, four indigent students in the tertiary institutions were awarded scholarships   to  support them in their studies, even as  he added that a visitation program was also carried out at  Port Harcourt prisons, which also featured distribution of relief and sanitary materials to the inmates, Others  according to him included Training of over 50 youths in wastes/plastic recycling as well as other programs that had direct impact on the environment and the people such as Environmental sanitation, health awareness campaign at Umuoye Etche, in Etche Local Government Area and Elelenwo in Obio Akpor LGA Rivers state where over 200 persons benefited, within the year under review.

He thanked the Charter (founding) President of the Club, the immediate past president, the incoming President, and the entire members of the Club for the massive support and goodwill given to him throughout his tenure, without which the club would not have achieved the much it did under his leadership.

He solicited for extension of the same goodwill and support for the incoming administration.

On his part, the incoming President, Dr. Bieye Renner Briggs,  expressed his delight at the opportunity given to him to serve as the president for the incoming year and expressed optimism that it would be a successful one. He promised to build on the legacies of the outgoing president and his other predecessors to move the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco to greater and enviable heights, while appealing for support from every member to achieve the Club's vision.

Highlights of the event included the handover ceremony and presentation of the staff of office, symbolizing the transfer of leadership to the new President, as well as presentation of gifts to the outgoing president for his service and contributions.

The handover event was a resounding success, marking a new chapter in the club's history. Members left inspired and motivated to continue serving the community through the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, under the leadership of the new President, Dr. Briggs.

The Rotary year begins on the 1st day of July of every year, and terminates on the 30th of June of the following year. The beginning of every Rotary year is marked by handover of leadership by the previous leadership to a new administration.

The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco is a course-based Rotary club with specific focus on the environment. The club was incorporated in January 2021, where Dr. Emem Okon served as its Charter(founding) President.

Present at the event, include Rtn Dr Emem Okon, Charter president, Rotary club of Port Harcourt ECO, Rtn Inuro Wills, President Elect, 2025/2026, Rotary club of Port Harcourt ECO, Rtn Alhaji A. Shittu, immediate past president, of Rotary club Port Harcourt Express among others

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