Wale Jagun
-Plans to provide braille machines for blind students
Residents of Tuagaga Community Development Association (CDA) on Saturday, October 10, 2020, benefited from the free eye screening and glasses provided by the Ikorodu Doyen Lions Club.
Beneficiaries were also tested for urine, diabetes and blood pressure at the programme which lasted for hours with many elderly people benefitting.
Lion Femi Aluko, the President of Ikorodu Doyen Lions Club, speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the exercise was part of the annual programme of the Lions Club International which prides so much in ensuring that people have good sight and also helps those with eyes challenges and prevent them from going blind.
“For Lions all over the world, every October is our sight month when we undertake screening for people and give out glasses. We also identify those in need of cataract operations which we will do at a later date”, he said.
“Between October 8 and 15, every Lions Club must stage the exercise. In Ikorodu where we have 14 Lions Clubs, each of these clubs must carry out this exercise between these dates in different communities.
“This is to make the exercise have the desired impact on the community and that is why the United Nations gave us a day for the sight exercise. We are known for attaching serious importance to sight all over the world. It is our primary and major focus.
“The test will determine those who will need glasses, eyes drop and operations. As it is, many have been given glasses today and we are still going to come back for another exercise at a later date for those that are unable to get them today”.
Lion Aluko revealed that about 150 residents would be given glasses after the eye screening while others are expected to be given glasses at a later date.
“For today, about 150 people will be given glasses”.
He said that the purpose of Lion Club is to identify human needs and do everything within their power to meet those needs and put smiles on people’s faces.
“Lionism is all about where there is need, there will be a Lion. We also identify the needs of the people and provide them. We do boreholes for the community and build classrooms among others”, he said.
The President of the Ikorodu Doyen Lions Club also revealed that he has identified the next need that the club would be meeting for this year.
He stated that he will be providing about 20 braille machines for the blind students at LG Primary School in Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
“We have identified the school for special children at Ipakodo where they have about 20 blind students without braille machines and without this; there is no way a blind man can learn.
“This year, I plan to provide some braille machines for them which is very expensive. One machine is about 400, 000 naira and I will make sure that I buy about 20 for them this year. So, we have identified the needs of the community and always meet those needs. That is what we do basically”.
Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, a retired Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and sports administrator who is the Chairman of Tuagaga CDA, was full of appreciation to the Ikorodu Doyen Lions Club for the gesture that benefitted many residents of his community.
“What is happening today is a great thing that has come to us without any notification. The President of the Doyen Lions Club International approached us a few weeks back and informed us that they are planning to bring free eye test and glasses to our community and set everything in motion.
“Today, we are here with more than 200 people to benefit from the free test and glasses provided by the club.
“Many residents of Tuagaga Community have been tested and given glasses courtesy of the Lions Club in partnership with Tuagaga CDA, which I am the chairman”, he said.
“It’s a great day and we appreciate them greatly. I can also assure them that our people will make good use of the glasses which are meant to aid their sight. It is going to benefit them immensely.
“They are also providing urine, diabetes and blood pressure tests but their major focus is on eyes screening”.
He also thanked the residents of the community for their support and cooperation with the CDA executives.
“I appreciate the club for their support for the needy and for bringing this type of exercise with great benefits to our community and I also thank the community people and CDA executives for their cooperation and support in making this a huge success.
“The present exco has done great things in the last six months that they came on board and today is another landmark event”.
Mr Kabiru Alogba, a beneficiary said:
“The programme is commendable and I urge people who have sufficient funds to support programmes like this so that we can bridge the distance between the poor and the rich.
“Organisers must keep on doing this because it is really helpful. They should endeavour to organise more of this kind of exercise so that more masses would benefit from it”.
Madam Kikelomo Adebambo, an elderly woman and one of the beneficiaries, said that she conducted a series of tests before being given the glasses, adding that she was also given eye drops.
“I thank the organizers and I pray that they will continue to progress in life”, she prayed.
