District 404B2 Nigeria holds 3 in 1 Programme, remembers less-privileged

Lions Clubs International, District 404B2 Nigeria, under the able leadership of District Governor, Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel, during the weekend hosted an event termed 3 in 1 Programme which was made up of a party with the less-privileged children, Relieving Hunger and to mark the birthday of Melvin Jones & Lion (Dr.) Naresh Aggarwal. Venue was Ojuwoye Community Nursery/Primary (Inclusive) Special School, Olateju, Mushin, Lagos. There was a consensus that charity is the responsibility of all. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

Alms-giving, caring for the poor with their treasure, time and talent becomes the summary of the goals of Lions Clubs International, especially District 404B2 Nigeria. No wonder the club decided to host three in one event with the less-privileged children, to put smile on their faces.

Three in one commenced with protocol of the association which involved Lions International Purposes taken by Lion Oluwakemi Abimbola Eribake, Chairperson Lions Quest, while Lion Blessing Umebali, the indefatigable Chairperson, Zone 6A of District 404B2 read the Lions Code of Ethics. There was eating, drinking and dancing.

Yet there was Expo where the children displayed different range of products which include soap, detergents, beads and many other handicraft. Ideally, the District Governor and other Lions patronize the high quality products which can compete favourably with any other in any part of the world.

Speaking to Newworldnewsng, the District Governor, Ayodele Samuel said “We have three events rolled into one. As a tradition, at the end of every year, we celebrate end of year party with the less-privileged children, Again traditionally we have worldwide event for Relieving Hunger, then 13^th of January is the birthday of the Founder of Lions Club International, Melvin Jones, and the current President of Lions Club International, Lion (Dr.) Naresh Aggarwal is celebrating his birthday today. So we have to marry the three events together, first for relieving hunger, the end of year party for the less-privileged children and birthday for our founder and Lions club president.”

On the choice of Ojumoye Community School, he said “We chose the school one because of the location, secondly the school has a number of children with special needs; all we needed to do was to bring a few others to join them.”

He also spoke on the challenges facing the organization. “The challenge confronting the organization is the issue of finance probably because of the prevailing economic challenges, it is also biting hard on our members, some of them find it difficult to redeem their membership dues as and when due, so don’t forget that most of our revenue come from membership dues from members so if they find it difficult, it also reflect on the purse of the association. The economy is also taking its toll on the district.”

He said Nigerians should see charity as a way of life. “They should rather join us to expand our area of coverage and expand our service or even on their own give helping hand to the less-privileged, it is a call to service to all Nigerians regardless of whether they are Lions or not.”

Ayobola who is also the Permanent Secretary; Youth and Sports and that of Women Affairs and Social Development said he manages his time very well in other to be able to carry out his triple functions effectively.

“It is the work and glory of God. But at the human level, I tried to plan my activities, I manage my time very well, I look at the schedule of activities in my office so that they do not clash. More so, I have directors in the ministries that are equally as good, I am just lucky to be first among equals, so I delegate a lot of responsibilities to them, and follow up by monitoring them very well”.

Lion Caroline Adediran, Chairperson for Lions Device for Children was the Guest Speaker. She delivered a paper titled Rendering Service to Humanity.

She stressed the need for people to see charity as a call to service “I consider it right that we can all render service to humanity individually and corporately, your neighbor is the next person and every person.”

She said aside party for the less-privilege children, members should deny themselves of certain personal comforts to provide for the needy such as payment of school fees for the children of the less-privileged.

Highlights at the event include dance and drama by pupils of Ojumoye Community Primary School, and presentation of award to children from the district who made the club proud by coming first and third in a national competition.