The Create Hope Presidents (CHOPS) Fellowship has scaled up its global outreach, partnering Rotarians and other stakeholders to tackle gaps in healthcare, education and environmental sustainability.

At its global conference in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the fellowship signalled a shift from rhetoric to action, emphasising programmes that deliver measurable impact, sustainability and leadership growth.

Delivering the keynote, past district governor, Ify Ejezie, charged members to embrace innovation and remain open to ideas that can drive the fellowship’s next phase of growth.

“The only way to sustain this fellowship is to keep reaching out to our international members and give them reasons to join,” she said. “Bring your ideas. Don’t hold back; it could be the turning point we need.”

She warned against internal divisions, urging members to keep criticisms constructive.

Rotary International President, Gordon McInally, who spoke virtually, underscored the role of mental well-being in effective service.

“Our well-being is not separate from our service. Hope cannot come from an empty vessel,” he said.

CHOPS International leader Rtn. Paul Ojinta said the conference was designed to reflect CHOPS’ growing global footprint, with participation from multiple countries.

He noted that the fellowship now has members across Ghana, Bangladesh, South Africa, the United States, Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Cameroon, Mozambique and Kenya.

“CHOPS was not created as a ceremonial fellowship; we are people of action,” he said.

Conference chairman, Sagab Ahmed, said Rotary’s interventions from clean water provision to polio eradication already embody the spirit of creating hope, while calling for stronger accountability and deeper international collaboration.

Participants described the conference as impactful, noting it strengthened partnerships and sharpened focus on results-driven service.

The fellowship, made up of Rotarians who served as club presidents during the 2023–2024 “Create Hope” year, used the gathering to reinforce its commitment to practical, high-impact interventions.