The Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis’ Journey So Far in the 2026/2027 Rotary Year

The Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis’ Journey So Far in the 2026/2027 Rotary Year

By Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis

When the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis installed Rtn. Kalu Sylvester Eke PHF++, as its 20th President on 27 June 2026, it marked more than the beginning of another Rotary year. It marked the beginning of a new chapter built around service, partnership, membership and a clear commitment to Creating Lasting Impact.

Just a few months into the 2026/2027 Rotary year, the club has already translated that commitment into a series of activities touching healthcare, community wellbeing, membership development, public image, fellowship and economic empowerment.

The journey is still in its early stages, but the direction is clear.

Beginning with Fellowship and Purpose

The club’s Inaugural Fellowship on 12 July 2026 at EMMJM Hotel & Suites provided the first major gathering of the new Rotary year.

Beyond fellowship and networking, the event featured a keynote address by Dr. Opone, AC, the induction of new members, award presentations and the unveiling of the club’s Project 10/10 Maternal and Child Health Initiative 2.0.

It was an early indication that fellowship and service would remain closely connected throughout the year.

Project 10/10: Taking Maternal and Child Health to Ten LGAs

One of the administration’s most significant interventions so far has been Project 10/10 Maternal and Child Health Initiative 2.0.

From 15 to 31 July 2026, the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis reached ten Local Government Areas across Akwa Ibom State:

Abak, Essien Udim, Obot Akara, Mbo, Nsit Atai, Itu, Okobo, Nsit Ubium, Mkpat Enin and Eket.

Across the ten locations, the project donated essential medical equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres, and in a joint state project carried out community health education with practical interventions, including medical consultations, malaria and random blood sugar testing, prescribed medications, antenatal care packs, and eye screening.

The initiative also provided support for ten pregnant teenagers through vocational empowerment opportunities and sponsorship of labour cost, creating pathways towards self-reliance while supporting them with maternal healthcare.

The project demonstrated an approach to service that goes beyond one-day outreach: meet an immediate need, strengthen the facility and equip the people who will continue providing care.

The club’s commitment to Project 10/10 did not end when the outreach teams completed their visits.

The project also focused on the people behind the healthcare system.

Ten Primary Healthcare Centres were equipped, while 20 healthcare professionals received further training.

On 1 August 2026, the healthcare professionals from the participating Local Government Areas and Primary Healthcare Centres gathered at Um-Neak Hotel, Osongama, for intensive training on infant resuscitation and the effective use of the donated medical equipment.

The training was based on a simple but critical principle: equipment alone does not save lives. It takes skilled and confident healthcare workers who know what to do when seconds matter.

By investing in those skills, the club is helping ensure that the equipment donated through Project 10/10 continues to serve its purpose long after the project itself has ended.

Health Education Meets Fellowship
The club’s fellowship on 2nd August provided another example of how its activities have combined fellowship with practical community wellbeing.

Members and guests participated in an educational session on Viral Hepatitis, focusing on prevention, regular screening and proactive approaches to better health.

The session was followed by Hepatitis B screening, with vaccination provided to eligible participants.

Taking Rotary to the Airwaves
On 6 August, the club expanded its public engagement through a radio appearance on Inspiration 105.9 FM as part of its Membership and Public Image Advocacy.

The engagement provided an opportunity to explain what Rotary does, showcase the club’s work and encourage individuals and organisations to partner with it.

During the programme, President Kalu Sylvester unveiled the club’s roadmap for the year, including a Spelling Bee Competition, an Economic Development Initiative, and a Free Medical and Eye Care Outreach.

The Economic Development Initiative is expected to support farmers with quality seeds and provide interest-free loans to small business owners.

The conversation also featured the club’s Membership Chair, Maternal and Child Health Chair, District Public Image Chair and Club Public Image Chair, giving listeners a broader view of Rotary’s work and the people driving it.

Beyond the Pin: Spotlighting the People Behind Rotary

On 4 August 2026, the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis launched “Beyond the Pin,” a 30-day Membership and Public Image Campaign inspired by the Rotary theme of Creating Lasting Impact.

The campaign was created to spotlight the people behind the Rotary pin and tell the stories of members whose passion, leadership and commitment give life to the club’s work.

Throughout the 30 days, the club has been featuring individual members across its social media platforms, highlighting their personal stories, contributions, interests and experiences within Rotary.

More than a membership recruitment campaign, Beyond the Pin provides a closer look at the people who make service possible. It celebrates the diversity of experiences within the club while showing the wider public that behind every Rotary project are individuals who choose to give their time, skills and resources in service to others.

By telling these stories, the campaign seeks to help more people connect with Rotary on a personal level, discover opportunities to serve and understand what it means to be part of a global movement committed to creating meaningful and lasting impact.

In a year where the club has placed considerable emphasis on strengthening membership and public image, Beyond the Pin has provided a human face to that effort, reminding everyone that while the pin represents Rotary, the people who wear it are the ones who bring its values to life.

Beyond the Pin: Spotlighting the Members Creating Lasting Impact.

Turning Membership into a Priority
The administration has also recognised that sustainable community impact requires a strong and engaged membership.

On 16 August 2026, the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis held a Membership Seminar themed:

“Quality Membership as the Live Wire of Any Organisation: The Rotary Experience.”

The seminar featured PAG Ime Umofia, Esq., Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch, as guest speaker.

The discussion focused on building quality membership, improving the Rotary experience and strengthening the club as a family of people committed to service.

For a volunteer organisation, membership is not simply about numbers. It is about having people who understand the mission, participate actively and are willing to contribute their time, skills and resources to service.

Service in Action: A Statewide WASH Project
The emphasis on membership and service continued on 15 August 2026, when Rotarians across Akwa Ibom State came together for the Africa Service Project on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.
Members of the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, including President Rtn. Kalu Sylvester Eke, PHF++, joined the statewide effort to clean the Oron Road corridor, removing refuse and clearing blocked drainage channels.
The choice of location was significant. The corridor is vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall, with waste accumulation and blocked drainage channels contributing to the problem. Clearing the drainage pathways therefore went beyond improving the appearance of the environment; it also supported the free flow of stormwater and contributed to reducing the risk and impact of flooding.

The exercise captured the essence of the club’s approach to service: identify a real community need, bring people and partners together, and take practical action.
It was Rotary beyond the meeting room: hands at work, communities engaged and service made visible.

When a Birthday Became a Community Intervention

In Ibesikpo Asutan, the club demonstrated another dimension of community service through “Cake with Purpose: Turning Celebration into Impact.”

The initiative, led by Rtn. Gbaa Charity Dooshima, CEO of CHACHA Farms, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, was built around three pillars: Health, Humanity and Hunger.

Beneficiaries received food items, including bags of rice, beans, pasta, oil, seasoning and other essential supplies, providing practical support for their households.

But the intervention was not only about material assistance. Mothers participated in games, laughter and fellowship, creating an atmosphere where they could relax, feel appreciated and celebrate together.

The gratitude and prayers that followed the presentation of the gifts became one of the most memorable moments of the initiative.

A birthday had become a platform for service.

Growing the Next Generation of Service Leaders
The Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis also continued to invest in the next generation of leaders through the establishment of a new Rotaract club at the Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences, Anua Campus.
On 20 August 2026, the club officially inaugurated and presented the charter certificate of the Rotaract Club of Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing Sciences, Anua Campus, creating a new platform for students to develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships and participate in community service.
The inauguration was successfully held on the school premises, with the Director of Campus represented at the ceremony. The school management warmly welcomed Rotaract into the institution, providing an encouraging foundation for collaboration between the College, Rotary and the new Rotaract club.

For the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, the establishment of the club represents more than the addition of another Rotaract chapter. It is an investment in young people, particularly students preparing for careers in healthcare, and an opportunity to connect their professional development with leadership, fellowship and humanitarian service.
As the new club begins its journey, it joins a wider Rotary family committed to developing young leaders who can identify community needs and turn their passion into purposeful action.
More Than Projects
Taken together, the activities of the new Rotary year tell a story that goes beyond a list of events.

There is a clear effort to connect health with prevention, service with empowerment, membership with sustainability and celebration with community impact.

Project 10/10 strengthened healthcare delivery. The infant resuscitation training invested in the people behind the healthcare system. The Hepatitis screening brought preventive health closer to members and guests. The radio engagement and Beyond the Pin campaign took the Rotary story to a wider audience. The membership seminar focused inward, strengthening the organisation that delivers the service. The statewide WASH project demonstrated the power of practical environmental action and partnership, while the inauguration of a new Rotaract club invested in the next generation of service leaders. And Cake with Purpose demonstrated that even a personal celebration can become an avenue for community support.

The Road Ahead
The 2026/2027 Rotary year is still young, and the club’s roadmap points to more activities in the months ahead.

Among the projects announced are the Spelling Bee Competition in September, the Economic Development Initiative in October, with support for farmers and small business owners, and a Free Medical and Eye Care Outreach in December.

If the first phase of the year is any indication, the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis intends to keep its focus firmly on service that responds to real needs while creating opportunities for partnerships and lasting change.

From the installation of its 20th President to its healthcare interventions, membership activities and community outreach, the club has begun its year with a simple but powerful message:

Impact is not something we wait for. It is something we create.

And for the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis, the journey towards Creating Lasting Impact has only just begun.

Connect With Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis

Follow the Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis for project updates, fellowship activities, member stories and opportunities to serve:

Website: https://rotaryuyometropolis.org/

Facebook: @Rotary Club of Uyo Metropolis

Instagram: @rotaryuyometropolis

TikTok: @rc.uyo.metropolis

Service Above Self.