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Anthony Osaretin Woghiren, a seasoned oil/gas professional and a Paul Harris fellow, is rallying 154 Rotary clubs to make war to poor drinking water in three states of the Niger Delta.
He is also taking the fight to conflict-ravaged communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states as well as intervening in disease infections, among other mandates.
The 154 clubs are currently chartered under the District 9141 of Rotary Club International and they have pledged readiness to provide potable water in the hundreds of communities, both rural and urban, that make up the Niger Delta.
The water project is being coordinated by Rotary District 9141, with newly installed Athony as he is popularly known as Governor.
Tony (Woghiren), in a pre-installation press briefing in Port Harcourt last week said the July 1 to June 30, 2026 Rotary year would witness unprecedented developments in the district.
Tagged ‘Promax Governor for a Promax Year,’ Tony said the focus of his team for this year includes the provision of potable water in communities, building of Rotary membership and spread across clubs, disease prevention and maternal health, peace and conflict prevention, investment in basic education, and inculcation of values among youths.
One of the star projects for this Rotary Year, he said, is the club’s intervention in the area of education for special needs children. Rotary carries ‘needs assessments’ to know where help is most desirous, and thus found that many handicapped children abound who miss education. Intervening is such a sensitive area is expected to deliver education to a group that would never have had access to it, and would be shut out from skilled work life.
The Rotary District also said conflict has destroyed the Niger Delta over the years, thus peace-building has been one of its biggest areas of focus. Disease prevention is also a big task because of poor sanitation in creeks of the oil region.
The District Governor is already a Paul Haris Fellow who is said to be keen on emulating some of the works of the Rotary founder. The Founder is admired as someone who worked as a newspaper Reporter, a business college teacher, a stock company actor, a cowboy and salesman for a granite concer before settling down as a lawyer in 1896.
It is indicated that: “For the next several years, he devoted a great deal of time on reflecting the condition of life and business. By 1905, he had formed a definite of business relations.
“Talking it over with three of his clients, he conceived the idea of organizing a club which came into being on February 23, 1905. He was thus the nucleus of thousands of Rotary Clubs which were later organized throughout the world.”
Anthony’s life is equally distinguished as a Rotarian and Charter member of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield, having commenced his Rotary journey as an Interactor and subsequently a Rotaractor.
As president of his club, Tony successfully led his group to achieve the distinction of Best Club in the erstwhile District 9140 doing his presidency in the 2016/2017 Rotary year, and further received the award of excellency as the last Best President of the District 9140.
He is indicated as haven rendered exemplary service to the District in various capacities serving as chairman and member of numerous committees.
“Furthermore, Anthony is a graduate and facilitator of the Rotary Leadership Institute, providing training and facilitation services at both Club and District levels within and beyond the District.”
This seemed to give huge enthusiasm and confidence to his members especially Mudiaga Joseph Iyomi, chairman of the Installation Committee, who rallied the huge audience by saying: “Today, we come together in unity as a vibrant community of service-minded individuals to celebrate leadership, service, fellowship, and our shared commitment to making a positive impact in our communities and beyond.
“Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering support. Your presence here today exemplifies the spirit of Rotary service above self, and re-enforces our collective mission to foster peace, understanding, and positive change worldwide.
“Let us embrace this moment to renew our commitment, strengthen our bonds, and look forward to a year of impactful service under our new District Governor’s leadership.”
