The Newly installed 48th President of the Rotary Club of Warri, Rotarian Wardah Marshall has unveiled a service agenda focused on sustainable development, membership growth, and community partnerships under the Rotary International theme: “Create Lasting Impact.”
Delivering her keynote address at the Club’s Presidential installation in Warri on Saturday, Rotarian Marshall said the Club’s work for Rotary Year 2026-2027 will target health, education, water and sanitation, environmental sustainability, and adult literacy.
Rotarian Marshall, who succeeds Immediate Past President Rotarian Chris Iyovwaye, described Rotary’s mission as one of restoring dignity and expanding opportunities.
“Imagine a child who remains in school because she now has a proper desk. Imagine a mother who survives childbirth because a Traditional Birth Attendant now recognises the signs of developing complications. Imagine an adult reading their first sentence after years of believing literacy was beyond their reach. This is why Rotary exists. This is why we serve,” she said.
She praised the outgoing board for “dedicated leadership and selfless service” which she said provided “a firm foundation upon which we now build.”
Aligning with Rotary international District 9141 Governor Rotarian Anthony Olikagu’s call for Presidents to become “Positive Disruptors,” Rotarian Marshall said the Club will move “from treating symptoms to addressing root causes.”
48th President RC Warri
Rotarian Marshall disclosed that
the Club has set a strategic target to increase membership by 30% over the next three years.
She added that growth was “not simply about growing our numbers; it is about expanding our capacity to serve.”
She also announced plans to charter the Rotary Club of Agbarho Royals to extend Rotary’s reach into more communities in Delta State.
Marshall outlined five flagship Projects that will cost Twenty-four Million Naira to include improving maternal and child health through community awareness and support for safer pregnancies,
providing quality school furniture to improve learning environments,
promoting access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, encouraging environmental stewardship and economic empowerment and
Reopening Rotary Adult literacy School at Ogunu .
“These are more than projects. They are lasting investments in people, restoring dignity, creating opportunity and building stronger, healthier and more resilient communities,” she said.
The President emphasized investment in young people through Rotaract, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and employment programmes. She added that peacebuilding would remain central, linking peace to access to education, healthcare, clean water, a healthy environment and economic opportunity.
She called for stronger collaboration with the government, traditional institutions, healthcare providers, educational authorities, the private sector and civil society to “create a movement that extends far beyond Rotary itself.”
For his part, Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Warri, Rotarian Chris Iyovwaye, described the 2025/2026 Rotary year as one of impact and growth, saying the Club executed projects across Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus and delivered a “Star Project” that surpassed expectations.
Rotarian Iyovwaye In his valedictory address, expressed gratitude to God and to members for the support that enabled his administration to succeed.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve this distinguished club, and I remain deeply honoured by the confidence reposed in me by our members,” he said. “Every milestone we achieved was made possible through teamwork, sacrifice, commitment, and the unwavering dedication of our members, Partners in Service, donors, and friends of Rotary.”
and his wife
The outgoing President said the Club successfully implemented humanitarian interventions in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, community economic development, and environmental protection.
He highlighted the administration’s Star Project as a defining legacy that “was not only successfully executed but surpassed our expectations,” adding that it reinforced the Club’s reputation for meaningful community impact.
“As I conclude my tenure, I do so with great satisfaction, knowing that the Rotary Club of Warri remains stronger, more united, and better positioned for greater accomplishments in the years ahead,” Iyovwaye stated.
Rotarian Iyovwaye expressed “absolute confidence that under the new President, Rotarian Marshall the club will continue to grow in membership, strengthen fellowship, expand its humanitarian impact, and achieve even greater heights.
He urged members to extend to the new President “the same loyalty, cooperation, understanding, and unwavering support” accorded to his administration.
“Madam President, your journey begins today, but you do not walk alone. You inherit a strong club built on decades of service and sustained by committed Rotarians who stand ready to support you,” he said.
Iyovwaye also thanked Past District Governors, Past Assistant Governors, sister clubs, corporate organisations, development partners and friends of Rotary for their contributions during the 2025/2026 year.
He charged the Club to continue upholding the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self,” noting: “Our greatest legacy is not what we accumulate, but the lives we transform through selfless service.”
Earlier the installation committee chairman , Rotarian Lucky Ogedegbe while congratulating Rotarian Wardah Marshall the 48th President and also 5th President of the club stated that she is a trailblazer and a woman of grace .
The installation of Rotarian Wardah Marshall featured awards for long serving Rotarians of the club, humanitarian service awards ,District award for membership drive , induction of nine members by the District Membership chair, Rotarian Nkiru Enyia, inuaguration of new board of Directors for 2026/2027 Rotary year ,cutting of cake amongst others.
The installation ceremony drew Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, traditional Chiefs , community leaders and representatives of sister clubs in District 9141.
