By Emmanuel Afonne
The People’s Club of Nigeria International (PCNI) has urged newly inducted members of the club to dedicate themselves to humanitarian service and support for vulnerable members of society.
PCNI National President, Chief Fidelis Onyebueke, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday from Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, U.S.
Onyebuke led the induction of 10 new members of the PCNI, Waco, Texas Branch.
He urged the inductees to use their positions and resources to support the underprivileged and contribute to initiatives that would improve the welfare of vulnerable people.
“I urge you to do good to the underprivileged while clubbing,’’ Onyebueke said.
He reminded the new members of the club’s motto, “Unity, Love and Service,” urging them to demonstrate the values through their principles, conduct and actions.
Onyebueke also charged the members to promote peace in all their activities and ensure that their membership translated into meaningful service to humanity.
Among those inducted was an educator and Igbo community leader in the Diaspora, Chief Acho Orabuchi, also known as Iyi Ogberuru and Ebubedike Ezimba-Ogberuru.
Others were Prof. Anthony Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Emmanuel Ibe, Olayinka Adesulu, Nze Eddy Chukwu, Chief Lawrence Okeke, Dr Philip Odoemena, Chief Nnamdi Nnodobe, Dr Agwu Ama-Ibom and Chief Daniel Ogbogu.
The ceremony attracted Nigerians and Americans, with distinguished guests from Nigeria, including the Chairman, Governing Council and Patron Trustee, L.O. Igwe Arinze.
The Chairman of the PCNI, Waco Branch, Iyke Ginigeme, said the branch had commenced plans to respond to the hardship confronting vulnerable Nigerians and other disadvantaged persons.
Ginigeme said the branch would support motherless babies’ homes, provide scholarships for orphans and establish microfinance schemes for widows as part of its humanitarian programmes.
He added that the branch would also support destitute homes and other community welfare projects through philanthropy.
According to him, the initiatives are aimed at giving hope to vulnerable people and contributing to the wellbeing of communities in need.
Ginigeme described the Waco Branch as a strong and resourceful branch with high membership standards, saying it attracted professionals and prominent individuals committed to excellence and community service.
He said the induction brought together dignitaries, community leaders, professionals, families, friends and supporters from across Texas and beyond.
Ginigeme said the event was organised to honour individuals whose lives reflected leadership, service, achievement and commitment to their communities.
The First Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Austin Ikechukwu, described the Waco Branch as transformational, expressing confidence that it would become one of the fastest-growing PCNI branches in the United States.
Ikechukwu said the branch would continue to attract quality members who were committed to humanitarian service and community development.
Chief Polly Ubah, Chairman Emeritus, PCNI, Princeton Branch, New Jersey, congratulated Ginigeme, Orabuchi and the other inductees.
Ubah, the Global First Vice-President Emeritus and Patron-Elect, described Orabuchi as a tested community leader in the Dallas area and across Texas, saying his experience would be an asset to the Waco Branch and PCNI.
He welcomed Orabuchi into the PCNI family and congratulated the other new members.
Ubah, however, expressed regret at his inability to attend the ceremony in Dallas, in spite of his earlier commitment to do so.
He said he was confident that Ginigeme would deliver a successful induction ceremony.
The PCNI is a socio-cultural organisation that promotes unity, love, service and community development among its members and the wider society. (NAN)
EMAF/CJ/
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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo