By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
Senbanjo and Fagbohun presenting Olusi. With them are Mrs. Olusi and Oluwakemi Eribake
Ahmed Adepeju Olusi was recently installed as the 22nd president of Ikeja Metro Lions Club, District 404B-2. He is taking up the mantle of leadership for the 2023/ 2024 Lions’ year. The investiture/fund-raising ceremony was held at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos.
District governor of 404B2 Nigeria, Prof. Dayo Fagbohun, harped on caring for the needy, stating the need for Nigerians to be humane in delivering service for the progress and development of society. He appealed to wealthy Nigerians and leaders to be concerned about the plight of the underprivileged in society.
Stressing the need for wealthy Nigerians and leaders to alleviate poverty by assisting the poor, he commended Lions Clubs International for its humanitarian service and implored influential and wealthy Nigerians to emulate the club in giving succour to the underprivileged.
He described service to humanity as service to oneself, insisting that the society would be better if every wealthy and influential person considers it pertinent to serve and uplift the less privileged in the society. He urged the new club’s president to embark on a project that would add value to the lives of the less privileged.
He implored club’s members to preach the gospel of Lions Clubs International with execution of impactful projects in various communities in Ikeja. Encouraging the president to keep in key with the core areas of the Lions Clubs International, he said: “In the course of your journey to have a successful tenure you have to carry all members along and have a free flowing communication among your members.”
Olusi said during his acceptance speech that the Club has a tradition of giving back to the society and are guided by principles of the club. In order not to deviate from the global causes of the Lions Clubs International, they would equally engage in impactful project that would transform lives.
Olusi said immediately the Lions year began, the club swung into action and conducted eye surgery for 20 persons who had cataract.
Olusi said: “Lions are known throughout the world for their work to improve the lives of the visually impaired and prevent avoidable blindness. The LCIF proudly serves their continued efforts by offering unique and impactful initiatives, programmes and grants.”
“Also, part of the club’s humanitarian deeds will be organizing a free diabetes screening and free medications to patients in the society to support government in the health sector since we believe that government cannot do it alone.
“Our core project for the 2023/2024 Lions Service Year is to renovate and equip the library and ICT centre of Omole Junior High School, Ojodu.
“I hope to maintain the standard and growth of the club by surpassing the great work of my successor and also follow the steps of the past presidents since the inception of the club. In so doing, the club will maintain the outstanding records built over the years and we will keep growing as a club and then give more to the society.”
Meanwhile, the guest speaker at the event, Dr. Oluwatunmayowa Adio, said cataract is well known and a common eyes issue in Nigeria and people should take proper care of their eyes.
Adio said: “Cataracts is a disease that occurs when there is changes in the eyes. When the proteins in the lens of the eye start to break down and clump together. This clump makes a cloudy area on your lens, which is known as cataract.
“The disease doesn’t go on its own except it is corrected through a surgery, without surgery the situation gets worsen over time.
“Untreated cataracts can even result to blindness. To avoid cataracts getting in the way of your everyday life, it’s best you go for a proper eyes checkup at least once a year.
“I am using this medium to implore you all to take proper care of your eyes by having a proper diet. The type of food you eat also make or mar eyes. So, it is advisable to eat healthy and maintain personal hygiene so as to reduce the rate of blindness, in the society.”
Also speaking at the event, chairperson, presentation committee of the club’s investiture ceremony, Mustapha Olajide Sikiru, said the club have always stood out because the club primary goal is to touch lives, especially the underprivileged in the community.
“We are the largest club in the Multiple District 404 Nigeria as at today, we believe in inviting quality members who have passion for rendering humanitarian deeds and support to the needy.
“The club is known for her significant projects and service as our activities every year on the record has been impactful. Last Lions Service year, we renovated and equipped the ICU of Gbagada General Hospital. Two years ago, the club built home economics vocational training center at Immaculate High School , Maryland, among others,“ he said.
Furthermore, the immediate past president of the club, Godson Ikechukwu Anigbo, stated that the club during his administration carried out lots of laudable and remarkable service activities and projects, which the public benefited from, especially the poor and the needy.
Anigbo said: “The club is happy for the selfless service rendered to the community, especially our core project in Gbagada general hospital where we equipped and renovated the ICU for emergency cases.
“ It is a project that will forever stand the test of time, it is a life saving project . Our little impact will continuously save many lives from untimely death because we gathered that 90% of the patients die on their way to another ICU since Gbagada General Hospital never had any ICU, until our intervention. This actually motivated us as a club to carry out the project.”