Arusha — Manyara Regional Commissioner, Mr Henry Shekifu, has lauded efforts made by the Rotary Clubs in the country to alleviate sufferings of the people and speed up socio-economic development of the community.

"Rotary clubs have played very important roles to transform our communities and solve our social problems," stressed Mr Shekifu during an occasion on Sunday to launch the first Rotary Club in Manyara region known as Babati Rotary Club.

The function was graced by Rotary District Governor, Dr Tadesse Alemu from Ethiopia, who officially handed over a certificate of registration to Babati Club's first President,David Holela, who is the former District Commissioner of Manyara region.

"The needy people have benefited tremendously from the free and voluntary services of the Rotarians," said Mr Shekifu, who himself was inducted as the Charter member of the new club and among its first Board of Directors.

Dr Alemu counseled the new Babati Club to demonstrate their commitment to serve the poor in the society and derive the satisfaction from that noble work.

"Just helping a single soul makes a big difference in the society," he said.

Dr Alemu also wanted the Club to retain and expand the Club's membership so as to reach out more widely to the poor of the community.

The Assistant Governor,Northern Zone(Tanzania), Mr Walter Maeda, said that Rotary was about to wipe-out polio world-wide and Babati Club would now be part and parcel to the crusade.

The occasion was also attended by Tanzania Country-Chairperson, Faye Cran, and a brain-behind the formation of the Babati Club, a veteran Rotarian Dev Manek, who is special representative of the District Governor (9200). The district is made up of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.

Today, 1.2 million Rotarians belong to over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.