The Lions Clubs International, Abuja Platinum Lions Club District 404 A2 says it will spend N35 million for its various outreach programmes in Nigeria between 2022 and 2023.
Mr Abia Antigha, the Charter President, said this at the 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 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 as part of its contribution toward checking open defecation in the country.
“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 established in July 19, 2022 after a final approval by the Lions Clubs International Headquarters in Oak Brook USA.
The Platinum Lions Club president solicited the support of the club members, leaders, Board of Directors and other stakeholders to succeed in the realisation of its plans.
He promised to 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, while congratulating Antigha on his investiture, donated 10 per cent of the amount budgeted for the activities to the club within the period under review.
In his Keynote address, Mr Samuel Ekpuk, said `Lionism Movement gives people privilege and opportunity to demonstrate love, touch and transform lives.’
He reminded members of the club’s Codes of Ethics which, he said 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.
The President of Abuja Mega Lions Club, Mr Samuel Egbuchiri, described the Lions club International as an organisation that creates and fosters 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 that impact the lives of Nigerians.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee and Zone 1A, Mr Charlz Opusunju, said that the club was birthed to fill a niche in service to humanity.
He said the club would be guided by the core values of Lions Club International, adding that the club’s objective was to impact lives of persons within its catchment areas.
He commended the Abuja Mega Lions Club for providing the platform for the formation of the Platinum Lions Club.
In his remarks, Mr Jide Bello, the District Governor, District 404 A2, Nigeria, who performed the inauguration ceremony urged Antigha to lead the club to enviable height.
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 run an inclusive administration that would meet the needs of its target communities.
Adaku Dike, the Charter Secretary, said the humanitarian activities of the club vary from environment, feeding the hungry, medical outreach to other related projects.
Dike said that the club went to Kogi State two weeks ago to donate some relief items to over 5000 IDPs affected by the recent flood in the state.
Antigha, the first president of the club, would serve with Dr Ody Ajike as 1st vice-president, Mr Tajudeen Bakare as 2nd vice-president, Dike as secretary 1 and Adesanya Adesola as treasurer aside other officers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the programme was a documentary on the club core projects, fund raising, charter presentation and installation of club officers.
The Lions Club International is a non-political service-oriented organisation founded by Melvin Jones an Insurance Broker in July 7, 1917 with its headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, US. (NAN)
