By Nkechinyere Ewa
The Inner Wheel Club of Abakaliki Central, District 914, has inducted Barista Stella Uchechi Nwagu as its 10th president, with a commitment to executing humanitarian projects estimated at N5 million during the 2026/2027 service year.
Nwagu, who made the commitment in her inaugural address during the induction ceremony in Abakaliki, said the projects were designed to improve the lives of indigent students, widows and vulnerable persons in the state.
She said the projects, in line with the year’s theme, “Grow, Flourish,” include payment of fees and provision of books for 10 indigent students at a cost of N1 million.
According to her, the club will also support an indigent widow nominated for assistance under the BERWO project of the wife of the Ebonyi State governor, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, with home equipment estimated at N2 million.
She added that the club would organise free medical eye-care services and provide eyeglasses for indigent men and women at an estimated cost of N2 million.
Nwagu, who is SA to Ebonyi governor on adult education, explained that her experience had exposed her to the difficulties faced by elderly and vulnerable women, particularly those suffering from poor eyesight and conditions that could lead to blindness.
She appealed to members, spouses, supporters, awardees and other guests to support the projects through donations, stressing that “no amount is too small” to contribute towards changing lives.
The new president described Inner Wheel as a non-governmental, non-profit organisation established in England in 1924 to promote friendship and service, noting that the association now has more than 140,000 members in about 107 countries.
Also speaking, wife of the Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs Florence Odunwa, commended Inner Wheel members for their humanitarian activities and urged other organisations to emulate them by supporting the less privileged.
The Permanent Secretary, Ebonyi State Ministry of Trade and Investment, Igwe Antonia Ogechukwu, described Inner Wheel as a global humanitarian organisation committed to giving back to society, urging successful women to join the movement and contribute to the welfare of vulnerable people.
Similarly, the Coordinator, Network of NGOs and CSOs in Ebonyi State, Comrade Fortuna Okeh, a former president of Inner Wheel Club, Abakaliki North, encouraged women to embrace selfless service, saying humanitarian activities could contribute to building a safer and better society.
President of Ebonyi Women in Politics, Rebecca Onwe, who was among those recognised at the event, urged women to discover and utilise their potentials positively, stressing that women should conduct themselves responsibly because their actions influence their families and the wider society.