By Bolaji Okunola
Owing to Nigeria’s challenged economy, which has negatively affected the living condition of many citizens, the Alagura of Agura land, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Oba Ahmed Olakunle Ogunderu, Lions Clubs International and others have appealed to the government and well-meaning Nigerians to develop more passion and drive towards assisting the less privileged in society.
Immediate past president of Eko Centennial Lions Club, Lukman Olabiyi, Alagura of Agura land, Oba Ahmed Olakunle Ogunderu, and Iyalode of Agura land, Mrs. Idera Animashun
They said with the current economic hardship, wealthy Nigerians and leaders should be concerned about the plight of the under privileged in the society.
According to them, the indigent must be adequately taken care of to reduce the widening gap of poverty in the society.
The monarch, the club and others made the appeal at the public presentation of Mr Mukaila Ayinla Obadimeji as the 6th president of the Eko Centennial Lions Club in Ikorodu, Lagos recently.
Oba Ogunderu urged wealthy Nigerians and leaders to alleviate poverty by assisting the needy in the society. He commended Lions Clubs International for its humanitarian service and implored influential and wealthy Nigerians to emulate the club in giving succour to the less privileged.
“It is my wish that we as a people begin to demonstrate love to our fellow human beings. Those who are privileged should be there to bless those who are less privileged. If we do this, the country will be better and life will be better for everyone.
Until we begin to come to that point, we cannot have what we call social justice and the democracy we are talking about will not be beneficial to everyone”, the monarch said.
A United States of America based philanthropist, Dr. Raimi Jimoh who was the chairman of the occasion, in his speech delivered virtually, harped on caring for the needy, stated the need for Nigerians to be humane in delivering service for the progress and development of society.
Jimoh who is the Oluomo of Babanlomo Land, Kwara State 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 well-meaning members of the society to emulate Lions Club International’s gesture by looking at the area of need in any given society and fill the vacuum, adding that it is only when philanthropists teamed up with the government and non-governmental organisations that the task of improving the lot of the common man, especially the indigent can be achieved.
The club District Governor, District 404A3 Nigeria, Shakiru Balogun and his Vice District Governor, Lion Folashade Shotomide urged the new club’s president to embark on a project that would add value to the life of the less privileged.
They implored the club’s members to preach the gospel of Lions Clubs International with execution of impactful projects in various communities in Ikorodu.
In his valedictory speech, immediate Past President (IPP) of Eko Centennial Lions Club, Lukman Olabiyi advocated support for the less privileged in the society for them to achieve their potentials.
According to him, this would help to reduce the vices associated with the youth, like the cases of cultism, drugs abuse, prostitution and others.
“The tenure of Lion’s club president is not like the tenure of governor of a state or president of Federal Republic of Nigeria , it is just 12 months, very short to address and provide all identify needs of our immediate environment but with the structure of Lions Clubs International, there is always a continuity in serving humanity, that is why everyday counts in the Lions’ calendar .
“Our gathering here today is all about handing over from one leader to another , and fundraising for the implementation of community-based projects because service to humanity and giving helping hands to the less privileged within our community are the core business of Lions Club members .
“The job of making the world a better place than how we meet it, can’t be eft in the hands of the government alone. You and I have to contribute our own quota in putting smiles on the faces of the needy around us.
“I therefore call on all dignitaries, families, colleagues and friends to please donate generously toward this noble cause and I can assure you that your donations will be judiciously used to touch lives and impact Ikorodu’s communities,” Olabiyi said.
The club’s new president, Obadimeji in his acceptance speech, said serving humanity has always been the passion and strength of his club members.
“In line with Lions Clubs International’s mandate, our club will focus on core projects of humanitarian service and other community’s projects, based on needs assessment.
“Campaign awareness on diabetes, safer environment, hunger, vision, childhood cancer, and youth empowerment program will be given thorough priority.
“I hereby, on behalf of my club, appeal for your generous donations and support for us to execute all these communities’ needed projects that will have a meaningful impact on the life of many peoples,” he said.