Kunle ADELABU
-As Kunle Bada, two other new members inducted
Lion Helen Ufuoma Onohwakpor, on Sunday, October 13, 2019, was inaugurated as the 15th President of the Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club, District 404 A1 Nigeria, Lions Club international.
She was inaugurated alongside 33 other members of the new executive council of the club at a well-attended event which was also used to raise fund for community project and other programmes of the club.
Three new members, Lion (Prince) Adekunle Eniola Bada, Lion Gbemisola Ajose, and Lion Olusola Debo Adewunmi, were also inducted into the club at the event held at the Lions House along Ibeshe Road, Ikorodu.
The new President, Helen, in her acceptance speech, stated that her membership of the Lions Club has made her a better person and willing to serve humanity.
“Joining Lions club has molded me to be a better person. It has given me leadership responsibility and has led me to do more to serve humanity”, she stated.
“Giving my 3Ts (Time, Treasure & Talent) in the service of humanity and I stand here boldly to say that I will not relent in my effort. God help and keep me alive”.
Unveiling her agenda in developing the community, humanity and furthering the cause of the Lions Club, Helen revealed her agenda to the teeming guests at the event.
“In meeting the basic obligation of improving lives in our community, other projects to be executed by the club this year include: Adult literacy class/campaign (club legacy project), Engaging the youths/youth empowerment, Welcome back to school packs for school children, World Sight Day (eye screening and provision of eye glasses) and International White Cane Day/Providing white cane for the blind in our community.
Others are, “World Diabetes Day/Screening and health talk, Peace poster contest amongst community schools, World AIDS Day, Rehabilitation of the block of six room toilet built by the club at Ipakodo Primary school (club’s legacy project), Environmental services/tree planting/cleaning of drainages and fight against hunger”.
She appealed for the support of the public in raising fund for the projects.
“One of the key objectives of this ceremony is to raise funds for the implementation of our community service projects listed above.I humbly appeal to you, our guests, to join us in making impact in the lives of the under privileged in our society by donating generously towards these causes so that we can touch more lives together”.
Lion Idowu Tomac Oluwatobi, the outgone President, described the change of guard in the club as victory to mankind and also expressed that there is strength in people coming together to help others.
“It is a victory in itself that we are seeing the journey to its momentous end. That I am here today, it’s a victory for mankind. It is a testament to what people can do when they come together for the greater good. This is also one of those occasions when the supreme creator reminds us, once again, that power doesn’t reside in any person “.
The former President, who stated that Lions Club is all about service to humanity, also explained projects embarked upon by its administration are impactful on the people.
“Every project carried out are crucial and impactful in the lives of the needy in our community. Projects on Diabetes, Pediatric Cancer Awareness, Sight First, Literacy, Feeding the hunger, Environment and many others will remain a benchmark. Working together, we can proudly say we made a formidable impact in our community, and we should rightly be proud of these, especially as they are imperishable legacies that we are leaving for the less privileged in our community.
“It should be a matter of pride to Nigerians and to the world at large that in this club, we put humanity first. I will always be proud of the humaneness of Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club. Ours has been humanity with a human face, the personal touch moved by the milk of human kindness. We serve with pleasure by giving our sympathy to those in distress and my substance to the needy”.
While thanking members of the club, Lion Oluwatobi also called for the development of the of leaders.
“My gratitude also goes to the Ikorodu Diamond Leo’s for your support and assistance in making 2019/2020 a remarkable one.
“There’s no way I can end this speech without recalling a certain quote which goes thus: The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develop them. I have greatly benefited from this and it has impacted my life positively in all my endeavors”.
Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, the Chairman of the occasion, while commending Lions Club for its humanitarian service, also pledged to support the Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club’s projects.
Olori Muyibat Oyefusi, the royal mother of the day, said that she is proud to be member of the Lions International Club and appealed to the members of the public to support the Club in achieving its objectives which, according to her, are aimed towards furthering the course of humanity.
