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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The District Governor of Lions Club District 404B2 Nigeria, Aare Olalekan Owolabi, has urged government to collaborate with service organisations to impact society. He emphasised the need for government to partner service organizations and draw their attention to improve relationships with them, as they have not been truly felt their presence and in certain areas they equally need their support.
Owolabi gave this charge at an event titled Dinner with the Titans/award of recognition organized by Ikeja Metro Lions Club to honour individuals who have donated immensely to their ‘core project’, renovating and equipping the ICU unit at Gbagada General Hospital.
He stated that well -meaning individuals partner with service organisations such as the Lions Club to invest in the social development of the nation but the government has not been supportive whenever they seek attention to handle certain issues.
He said: “Government should strive to respond to service organisations whenever we seek their support. They should identify with us so we can build a better society.
“Lions club provides selfless service to humanity and we know we cannot do it all. That is why we have a synergy between members, the community and people that are willing to help; we partner all to ensure that we affect our communities positively.
“The world will be a better place if government, philanthropists and individuals who have good intents in the society can collaborate with us because we observe due diligence before any project is executed.’’
Owolabi urged more people to join the Lions club as voluntary donations from members would help in the execution of meaningful projects.
“For instance, the ongoing core project of this club at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. We don’t just donate; we stay and ensure the project is delivered. We are determined to give the hospital a brand new look.
“Also, the president of the club, Godson Ikechukwu-Anigbo, said that the core project has been capital intensive but he is happy over the progress they have made,” he added.
Anigbo stated that government needs to do a tour round the health facilities in the state to know if they are in good condition. “Whenever fund is allocated for project, they should have monitoring team, who would ensure that the money is utilized properly.
“Every year, the club searches for project that are pressing, especially prioritizing projects that focus on improving the health, education, well-being, and economic security women and children across the globe.
“We decided to embark on this project due to our need assessment findings on how 95% of patients die on the way, to get to intensive treatment. It was an emotional moment for me and that’s how we decided to pull resources together to change lives through our service project.
“Although we raise funds to execute our projects and help people who are in need, we make the process transparent because we all make selfless contributions for the good of all. In Lions, we are all volunteers,’’ he said
Chairperson of the core project, Blessing Umebali, said the impact of the project would reduce mortality rate and save as many who need urgent medical assistance and equally prolong lives of the citizenry, thereby making live worth living.
“The whole essence of life is to uplift one another no matter how little because kindness is like a baton when you have it, you pass it on to the next person,” Umebali submitted.
Umebali stated that every living soul should be a part of community service activities, to assist government in touching lives, especially the poor and needy in society.
