Rotary Club Uyo, District 9142 has concluded plans to confer the Distinguished Service Award in Peace-building and Community Development on Akwa Ibom State Governor, Rtn Pastor Umo Bassey Eno on July 15, 2023.
The award, which is in recognition of the humanitarian services of Rtn Pastor Umo Eno in peace-building and community development, will also herald the official installation of Rtn. Comfort Udobang, PhD, PHF, as the 40th President of Rotary Club Uyo, District 9142, the parent club that has produced several other Rotary Clubs across the State.
President-elect, Rtn. Comfort Udobang, who disclosed this when she visited the Regional head office of the South-South Tourism Roundtable in Uyo, on Thursday, said the Rotary Club Uyo, District 9142 was pleased to have one of their own, Rtn. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, a 3-star Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary Club Eket, is the executive governor of Akwa Ibom State.
She described Rtn. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno as an empathetic leader with a passion for helping people, having the ability to cope with distressing situations, while getting on well with all types of people, informing that the governor is known to possess excellent listening skills, caring and compassionate nature, and has the ability to ask the right questions to help others.
Responding, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism and facilitator of the South-South Tourism Roundtable, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, spoke highly of the humanitarian services being rendered by Rotary International, just as he thanked the Rotary Club Uyo District 9142 for bringing professionals together to provide humanitarian services, as well as encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations to advance goodwill and peace in Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Kiyaramo who noted that the tourism and hospitality sectors basically offer services, pointed out that what Rotary International is doing has a link to the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors which render various services to people, adding that travel, tourism and hospitality have become incredible drivers of job creation from big cities to small local communities.
He noted that tourism’s positive ripple effects do not only help support local businesses but also foster entrepreneurship and new business ventures, reiterating that tourism offers opportunities to people from all walks of life, supporting vulnerable groups, including minorities, youth and women, among others.
“Tourism is also a driver for peace. It helps to promote tolerance among people, making them learn and understand each other’s cultures better,” Dr Kiyaramo maintained.
Also speaking, Akwa State facilitator of the South-South Tourism Roundtable and Managing Director of Legacy Tourism Development Services Ltd Uyo, Mr. Usen Udoh, commended Rotary Club Uyo, District 9142, for recognising the humanitarian services and peacebuilding efforts of Rtn. Pastor Umo Eno described him as a bridgebuilder, a leader who is passionate about community development.
While congratulating Rtn. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno on his well-deserved award, Mr. Udoh enumerated raising environmental awareness, encouraging sustainable behaviours, and supporting local conservation initiatives as some positive impacts of event tourism, saying that Uyo has tourism facilities that can host events of high magnitudes.
“Event tourism helps to boost the local economy through tourist expenditures. It is obvious that this installation ceremony of President-elect, Rtn. Comfort Udobang will attract many visitors to Uyo, and that will stimulate the local economy through their daily spending.
“Tourism, being a multiplier of revenue, is the generator of tourists spending at events’ host cities. Tourist consumption creates employment and income not only for the tourism industry but also for other businesses.
“Unlike local events, their primary goal is to increase the tourism appeal of the host destination as much as possible. Every year, a large number of different types of events attract visitors to many destinations, while a great number of new events are planned annually, “Mr. Udoh said.
Other personalities to be conferred with Rotary Awards alongside the governor on July 15 include University Don. Prof. Edem Eniang of the Biodiversity Conservation Centre Uyo, who will be honoured with the Exceptional Achievement Award,
Otuekong (Dr.) Sunny Jackson Udoh will bag an Award of Excellence for Creativity and Industry, while Engr. Camillus Umoh will be honoured with the entrepreneurship award in community development.
It will be recalled that Rotary International started with the vision of Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905 to enable professionals with diverse backgrounds to come together to exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service, being its core mantra.