Rotary Club of Mbaise honours Mbaise Anglican bishop, Rt Rev Ogunedo with Community Service Award

By Chibuzo Munonye

The bishop, Diocese of Mbaise (Anglican Communion) Rt Rev Chamberlain Chinedum Ogunedo has been conferred with a Community Service Award by Rotary Club of Mbaise in furtherance of his relentless efforts towards development of society and humanity.

Rt Rev Ogunedo who was represented by the Clerical Synod Secretary of the diocese, Rev Canon Dr Ugo Romanus Nwogu received the award on the occasion of the installation ceremony of Rev Fr Rtn Darlington Chimuanya Nwogu as the 5th president of Rotary Club of Mbaise, induction of new members, inauguration of Board of Directors, launching for the service year projects and awards to deserving personalities which took place last Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Eziala Community Hall, Eziala Nguru, Aboh Mbaise.

In an interview with our reporter shortly after receiving the award, he maintained that the club was motivated to honour him because Rt Rev Ogunedo is into the service of humanity, “Since assuming the episcopal office in Mbaise, Bishop Ogunedo has focussed on nurturing the spiritual growth of the diocese while promoting initiatives in education, healthcare and community development. Under his guidance, the Diocese of Mbaise has experienced renewed vigor with increased engagement in worship, charitable programmes and social outreach projects.

He is also deeply committed to mentoring young clergy and lay readers, instilling in them a sense of integrity, compassion and responsibility. He emphasizes the importance of living out the Christian faith through service, moral discipline and active participation in the life of the church and society.

The organizers of the occasion know him and appreciate his services to humanity. This award is an encouragement to the service of God and humanity. He has been rendering humanitarian services to mankind”, he emphasized.

According to Rev Canon Dr Nwogu, “He has done a lot to assist the indigent and needy, he has been deeply involved in human capital development by engaging youths to be responsible in life as well as reducing the high rate of unemployment in the country”

He thanked the president, Rev Fr Rtn Nwogu and members of the club for finding him worthy of the award, expressing delight on the honour done him.

Rev Canon Dr Nwogu quoted Rt Rev Ogunedo as saying “I will not relent, I will multiply my efforts, put in more energy to what I have been doing. Since rotary is a service – oriented organization I will continue to uphold humanitarianism.

To whom much is given, much is expected. I assure Rotary Club of Mbaise that this award is going to spur me for more and harder work and services to God and humanity to make society a better place to live in”.

He identified rotary as a humanitarian international organization where members place service above self and sacrifice their time, talent and resources in the service of mankind and societal development, and encouraged rotarians to live up to their calling by always donating for charity and assisting the less privileged to improve their well being and standard of living.

Rev Canon Dr Nwogu enjoined the rotarians to wake up and realize what is needed in communities where where they belong, continue to do good works and also continue to bring light to society and assist the needy, foster unity and development and ensure that their 4 way test including ‘Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendship and will it be beneficial to all concerned” physically define their activities.

He expressed delight that Rotary International, in partnership with WHO has succeeded in eradicating poliomyelitis by donating the vaccines and appealed to the members of the club not to relent in rendering selfless services to make society a better place to live in.