Lions Club International D404B1 Nigeria intensifies awareness on Childhood cancer
By Yusuf Yunus
in a bid to serve various communities and provide a better living environment in our society thereby supporting government efforts in her social welfare clarion call in the country, Lions Club International, District 404B1 Nigeria intensified support for childhood cancer awareness.
The 404B1 District Governor Lion (Lady) Kema Ashibuogwu, disclosed during the Club’s recognition awards given to over 155 Lion members who have served their various clubs and the district with their Time, Treasure and Talents (3Ts)
Ashibuogwu said that the club has been able to get a grant to build caregivers home for people taking care of children living with cancer at Federal Medical Center Ebute-Metta.
DG Kema Ashibuogwu said the club found out that many caregivers do not have a place to stay whenever they bring children for treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stating that the children are often being lost to cancer.
According to her, the most important thing was that the caregivers need a place to stay so that the children could go through the normal process of treatment without or break and lives could be saved.
She went further to disclose that the club donated the sum of N2million to LUTH, for children living with Cancer, especially those whose parents cannot afford to the medical bills, and that they also got $147,000 grant from LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (LCIF)
She said that the club creates awareness about the deadly disease as the district and various Clubs/Regions took the Childhood Cancer Awareness Campaign to churches, mosques, and various streets in Lagos, Ota, and lbadan Axis, including organising a match past parade with over 200 students from various schools across the same Lagos, Ibadan, and Ota Axis on the 15th of February, 2023 at the football field of Air Marshall Isiaka Amao sports Center, NAFRC, Oshodi, Lagos.
Mr Samson Abodunrin, the Pioneer incoming District Governor for the newly Bifurcated District 404B4 said that the awardee Lion Kema Ashibuogwu had successfully served for 365days, a service year which started from June 2022.
Abodunrin said that any Lion that has served, deserves a recognition, noting that the award could not be given to everyone, except the deserving members.
He reiterated that when the District Governor started her tenure, she was very passionate about combating childhood cancer, and in her first month, she gave 2million naira open cheque to Legos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) for the fight against Paediatric Cancer.
Stating further, he said the project was designed to cover any patient that comes in with a cancer issue for children, LUTH should draw out of that 2 million naira and treat the patients.
He said that the DG has brought innovation in line with her reference point for this year, which was “New thinking, New Horizon.
Sighting that these innovations has enhanced membership growth, as She (DG Kema) has performed all the five cardinal points of Lion, and all the global courses.
He said that she has organised several eye-sight and cataract operations for the visually impaired, given glasses to many, and has touched all what she needs to touch appropriately, and today we are celebrating her.
Also, Multiple District Council Chairperson (MCC, MD 404 Nigeria) Lion Obo Edet said that what the award depicts was that we in Lions Club appreciate good work.
Lion Obo Edet further said that these set of Lions being recognized and given awards is due to their hard work and dedication to service for the 2022/2023 Lions Service year.
She said they have been through thick and thin with by the District Governor to support her in carrying out all the activities and projects for the 2022/2023 Lions Service year
One of the award recipients, a 404B1 Past District Governor Lion Bernard Eboreime, who doubles as the Adviser to the District governor Lion (Chief Lady) Kema Ashibuogwu said the award was to appreciate him for his continuous selfless services to humanity, a testimony that he was being recognized and appreciated for work done, and that it would spur him to work more for the Lions Club.
The Business intelligence ( TBI Africa) reports that Lions Club International District 404B1 gave awards to over 155 members for their good work in different categories for the Lions Service year 2022/2023.
The awards includes appreciation award, best zone chairperson, best region chairperson, best president. There were also awards for the Best Club in Distict 404B1, best female and male Lions for the 2022/2023 Lions service year, amongst other awards.
