Kunle Adelabu & Jare Olukotun
A water project has been commissioned by the Unique Lions Club of Ikorodu for the use of the residents of the Tuagaga Community as part of the club’s annual humanitarian development programme.
The water project, which was commissioned on Saturday, May 6, 2020, by the District Governor of Lions International, Engr. H.O.B Lawal, was facilitated by the Alhaji Kola Akinsanya – led Tuagaga Community Development Association (CDA).
The event also witnessed the presentation of a post humous award to Late Chief Olushola Dixon (Tuagaga) and merit awards to Otunba Browne and Alhaji M. A Enifeni by the Tuagaga CDA in honor of their contributions to the development of the community.
In his keynote address, Engr H.O.B Lawal, who was represented by his son, Lion (Engr.) Niyi Lawal, thanked the Tuagaga community for partnering and cooperating with the Lions Club in completing the project in the area.
He stated that through the construction of the borehole project, Lions Club has provided needed service to the people in the community.
“Upon discovering that the community is in need of water, we have come in and fill the need. Through this, we have provided needed service for those in need in this community”, he said.
While calling on the people of the community to develop the spirit of giving, Engr. Lawal also urged them to join Lions Club for further community development.
“There are over 12 Lions Clubs in Ikorodu and you should endeavor to join any that is close to your area”, he charged.
Lion Babajide Lawal, the President, 2019/2020 Lions Year, in his address, stated that the project was conceived as part of the efforts in fulfilling the objectives of the club.
“You are welcome to this commissioning exercise. Actually, the construction work commenced precisely in the first week of May, 2020.
“It was conceived as part of the efforts aimed at ensuring the fulfilment of one of our cardinal objectives, which is enhancement of the quality of life of the inhabitants of our immediate community and the environs”, he said.
“As we commission and hand over this project to the community, please know that the project belongs to everyone in the community…
“You should all join hands together to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of the facility. It is this that will serve as a stimulus for the provision of other life enhancing projects in this community and elsewhere”.
Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, the Chairman, Tuagaga CDA, in his response, assured the club that the facility would be taken good care of.
He also commended Lions Club for considering Tuagaga community for the project.
Announcing awards for three outstanding individuals, Alhaji Akinanya said that his administration deemed it fit to honor the awardees in appreciation of their contributions to the development of the community.
The Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Luqman Sonibare, also commended Lions Club for the provision of the water project, while also charging the community to take ownership of the project.
“I want to charge this community to take the project as their own and maintain it so as to serve the community for a long time”.
The number one community man in Ikorodu Local Government while signifying his intention to join the Unique Lions Club, also appealed to the club to consider other over 200 CDAs in the council for its subsequent projects.
Gbolahan Dixon, the son of late Dixon Tuagaga whom the community was named after due to his contributions, also appreciated Lions Club for donating the water project to Tuagaga community.
He expressed happiness for witnessing developments in the community where he grew up.
“It gives me great joy to come here to witness great developments. I grew up in this community seeing my late father contributing to its development”, he recalled.
He pledged to join the community in maintaining the water project.
“I will be part of the maintenance of the project”, he told the gathering.
Other dignitaries at the commissioning were Charter President of the club, Lion Waheed Ishola, Region Chairman of the club, Lion Akamo Luqman, former Regional Chairman, Lion Adeola Rotinwa, a chieftan of the club, Lion Builder Efunkomaya, wife of the CDA Chairman, Alhaja Akinsanya and a chieftain of the Tuagaga Community, Alhaji Akeem Sanni among many others.
