COVID-19: Lions Clubs International Multiple District 404 Nigeria donate N5m to Lagos State
Presentation of N5 million cheque by members of Lions Clubs International to the representative of Lagos State Government, Permanent Secretary State Treasury Office/Accountant General, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, at the State Treasury office, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos recently.
Lions Clubs International Multiple District 404 Nigeria has donated the sum of five million Naira to Lagos State government to support the fight against Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The donation was made recently at the State Treasury office, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking before the presentation of the N5 million cheque to the representative of Lagos State government, the Permanent Secretary State Treasury Office/Accountant General, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, the Council Chairperson Lions International, Multiple District 404 Nigeria, Lion Alhaji Abiodun Adediji, said the donation was to support Lagos state’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus.
While mentioning some of the projects executed by Lions Clubs in the state, the Number one Lion informed State Governor’s representative that the five million naira donation was not their first donation to the state.
According to him, “This is not the first time Lions have collaborated with the Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence. In our strong belief that government cannot do it alone, in the past we have carried out amongst others the construction of Lions Motherless Babies Home at Lekki which we manage together with the state government; Ilupeju Lions Club Diabetes Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) which from time to time we visit to donate items required, as our club service projects; Cancer Screening and Treatment Centers at the same LASUTH, Ikeja; donation of Equipment to Gbagada Eye Clinic by Ilupeju Diamond Lions Club and an edifice and imposing building housing Eye Hospital at Isolo General Hospital.
“His Excellency, we are here again to present this token of N5 million to support your great efforts in combating the covid-19 pandemic. We salute, recognize and appreciate your gallant moves since the outbreak of the evil disease. While others are converting their stadia to burial grounds, you have turned one of the state’s stadia to world class isolation centre. Well done Sir”
Also speaking, Lion (Engr) Hamed Olugbenga Babajide Lawal, Past International Director and Chairman of the Nigerian Lions Charity Foundation (NLCF), from which purse the money was drawn, promised more donations for the state.
This time, according to him, the donation will come from the Lions Clubs International Foundation, adding that the Lions Clubs International Foundation had earmarked the sum of $30 million to support Nigeria in combating the spread of covid-19, and Lagos being where the index case was first identified and with the largest number of confirmed case would have the largest share of the materials that will be bought with the money.
Responding on behalf of the Lagos state government, the Permanent Secretary State Treasury Office/Accountant General, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, thanked the Lions for their donation, adding that the state will make good use of the money.
“On behalf of Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, and the entire people of Lagos State, we want to appreciate Lions Club. What you have been doing in the state is not hidden; it’s what we can all see. You have done well most especially in the health sector and we are proud of you. We associate with your developmental programme. Any time you need our support, endeavour to call the state, and we will be there to support you,” he said.
Earlier in an interview with our correspondent, Lion Alhaji Teslim Sanusi, Past Council Chairperson (PCC), Multiple District 404 Nigeria, emphasised the importance of charity, noting that when the needy and the less privileged in our society are taken care of the crime rate and other vices will reduce.
He noted that if these people are completely neglected the consequences may be alarming and other residents are the target.
“It is in the best interest of all to do charity, to help the needy and the vulnerable among us. If you are rich and you ignore the poor, you may have yourself to blame. If you decide to enjoy your wealth with your family alone, the hunger in the society may come after you and this is the cause of armed robbery and kidnapping in our society today.”
Borrowing the word of Aristotle, he said “poverty is the parents of crime and revolution, “called on Nigerians to support the needy in their midst.
Lion Teslim said though charity can be done secretly, but the advantage of open charity is to encourage others to follow suit.
On whether the Covid-19 lockdown has affected the activities of the Lions in the current Lions year, the District 404B2 District Governor, Lion Wesley Kafadiya answered in affirmation, “In fact the lockdown is seriously affecting our programmes and activities because our programmes and activities for the year is spread across every month.
“With this lockdown, obviously all the activities are in suspense but we are trying to work around it to ensure that clubs can reach out to their immediate communities to support them especially those who are vulnerable to hunger as a result of this lockdown.
“We believe that Lions as their call to duty can come to their assistance by relieving the hunger. Fortunately, relieving hunger is one of our global agenda and its easier for us to appeal to clubs not to shutdown but to cease the opportunity to reach out to their neighbours within their immediate communities, giving assistance where it is needed to relieve hunger and to sensitise them on measures put in place by government.
“To top it all, with the new directive that everyone should wear face mask, because we know there are so many people in the society who cannot afford a N500 face mask, some Lion clubs are already gearing up to produce it in large quantity and share to people in their communities free of charge.”
In his contribution, Lion Bernard Eboreimeh; District Governor, District 404B1, Nigeria, who gave the reason why the N5 million donation was made to Lagos State, noted that Lagos has the highest number of confirmed cases.
“Because we have seen the impact of Lagos State, that’s we deemed it necessary to support Lagos State government. We will also do for other states but because Lagos for now is like the epic centre hence the donation,” he said.
The reason for the donation, according to him is to assist the state in meeting the needs of the people especially during this critical period, adding that government cannot do it alone.
On where the money is taken from for donation, Lion Alex Irotuhme Past District Governor, explained “What the Lions Foundation in Nigeria does is to keep some funds so that if there is a disaster they will take some money for the amelioration of the effect of such disaster.
“The people out there know the Lions, and Lions have families, we are members of the society. To do something that will benefit the society, must do it in support of government because government has the mechanism in place to reach out to members of the society.
“Apart from making donations, awareness and advocacies, as Lions we have a time in the year we set aside to feed the hunger in our communities, we hope others will joint us to take care of the plight of the poor.
Also speaking, Lion Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi, 2nd Vice District Governor, District 404A2 Nigeria, who represented the District Governor, District 404A2 Nigeria, Lion Elder Nsikan Bassey, said apart from the N5 million donation today to the Lagos State government, there are other activities and projects we have carried out during the year and many more lined up for execution.
“You can see even with the lockdown we are donating this much. Different clubs from different states, Zones and regions are also giving out palliatives; the recent one is the mounting of billboards with inscription “Wash your hands, and use your face mask. We have also donated food items to indigents people.
She said “corona virus is a phase, and it will pass, for it to pass, we must obey instructions: wash your hands, maintain social distancing and use your face mask.”
Lion Tokunbo Aromolaran, District Governor elect, District 404A1, who reiterated Lions resolve to continue with its humanitarian activities, called on other Nigerian with passion for humanitarian services to join them in meeting the needs of the needy and the less privileged people in the society.
Publisher of the Brandmatters Magazine and a Lion leader, Lion Blessing Umebali, was the media coordinator for the event.
