The Lions Clubs International, Abuja Platinum Lions Club District 404 A2 Nigeria says it has ear marked the sum of N35 million to impact the lives of indigent Nigerians.
Mr Abia Antigha said this at the official presentation of the Abuja Platinum Lions Club, his installation as the first President of the club and fund raising for 2022/2023 Lions year in Abuja.
He said the money would enable the club execute bigger, bolder and more impactful projects in the clubs focal areas.
He said his administration would engage in cataract and cancer treatment as the main trust of the club to enable poor blind people especially children regain their sights and be cancer free.
Antigha said the club would also build toilet facilities for schools to check open defecation.
“Many children who are reeling in pains and suffering from cancer will be treated and made to smile and laugh again.
“ Many school children who are defecating in bushes behind their classrooms due to lack of toilet facilities will use a decent water system toilet facility,” he said.
Antigha said the club was birthed in July 19, 2022 after a final approval by the Lions Clubs International Headquarters in Oak Brook USA making it to join the over 46,000 other clubs in the Lions Family worldwide.
He thanked the club members for finding him worthy to be their charter president and promised not to fall short of their expectations.
Our correspondent reports that the Platinum Lions Club president solicited the support of the club members, leaders, board of directors, family and friends to succeed “in this service to humanity.”
He said that he would lay a solid foundation for the future of the club through commitment and dedication to club activities and projects.
The chairman of the occasion Mr Wilson Akhator-Eneka congratulated Antigha for emerging as the club president calls for dedication and commitment to duty to achieve set goals.
He donated 10 per cent of the amount mapped out for the activities to the club.
In his Keynote address, the Quest Speaker, Mr Samuel Ekpuk, GAT Area Leader Africa CA8 said Lionism Movement gives people privilege and opportunity to demonstrate love, touch and transform lives of people and not for display of one’s affluence or wealth.
He reeled out the Lions Codes of Ethics which include bearing ones obligation as a citizen to the nation, state and community and an unswerving loyalty to the club in word, act and deed.
Others are to give aid to the needy, weak and distressed and take active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.
The President of Abuja Mega Lions Club, Mr Samuel Egbuchiri, described the Lions club International as a club that creates and fosters a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
He said the main objective was to promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.
Egbuchiri described Abuja Platinum Lions Club as a touch-notch club with various projects and programmes outlined to impact the lives of Nigerians.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee and Zone 1A Chairperson, Mr Charlz Opusunju, said that the club was birthed to fill a niche in service to humanity.
He said that the club would be guided by the core values of Lions Club International as entrenched in the Lions Code of Ethics and international purpose.
Opusunju said the club objective was to impact lives of persons within its catchment area for a better, safer and egalitarian society.
He commended the Abuja Mega Lions Club for providing the platform for the formation of the Platinum Lions Club.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to a new era of service in Lions club, with a focus on service and vision while highlighting the other thematic areas of humanitarian activities in the lions club international,” Opusunju said.
In his remarks, Mr Jide Bello, the District Governor, District 404 A2, Nigeria, who performed the inauguration ceremony congratulated Antigua for emerging as the club president and urged him to lead it to enviable height.
He said that the Lions Club International is a non-political service organisation founded by Melvin Jones an Insurance Broker in July 7, 1917 with its headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, US.
Bello said that the club had carried out several projects in the country since its formation and has a cancer centre in Gwarimpa, Abuja to help cancer patients especially children.
Bello enjoined the club president to employ his leadership skills and run an inclusive administration where all club members would be engaged in service activities that meet the expressed needs of the target communities.
Adaku Dike, the Charter Secretary of Abuja Platinum Lions Club, said that service to humanity was the key purpose of the organization.
She said the humanitarian activities of the club vary from environment, feeding the hungry, treating of diabetic and cancer patients and other related projects.
She said that the club would be working with School for the Blind to see how some of the blind students could regain their sight.
When asked about the recent flood disaster ravaging some states in the federation, Dike said that Lions Club went to Kogi State two weeks ago to donate some relief items to over 5000 IDPs.
Our correspondent reports that Antigha the first president of the club would be serving with Dr Ody Ajike as the 1st Vice-president, Mr Tajudeen Bakare as the 2nd Vice-president, Adaku Dike as the Secretary 1 and Adesanya Adesola as the Treasurer as other officers.
The highlight of the programme was a documentary on the club core projects, fund raising, charter presentation and installation of club officers.