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  • Lions Club to tackle mental health, environment, hunger among rural poor

    Lions Club to tackle mental health, environment, hunger among rural poor

    The new District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 404B3 Nigeria, Lion Adelaja Adeleye, has restated his commitment toward tackling mental health issues, environmental sustainability, and hunger eradication among vulnerable people.

    Adeleye said this during a press briefing to mark his official takeover as the new District Governor of the club, following a formal handover ceremony held in Akowonjo, Lagos on Tuesday.

    Speaking at his inaugural press conference, Lion Adeleye outlined a bold and compassionate agenda focused on mental health advocacy, environmental sustainability, hunger eradication, and membership growth.

    “We will campaign to raise awareness, provide support, and reduce the stigma faced by mental health victims.

    “A healthy mind is the foundation of a thriving society. As the Dalai Lama said, ‘The purpose of our lives is to be happy.’ Let’s help our communities achieve that through mental wellness.”

    In addition to mental health, Lion Adeleye stressed the importance of protecting the environment friendly habits.

    “Through tree planting, cleanups, and promoting eco-Remember, the earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. Our actions today must secure a sustainable future,” he said

    On the critical issue of hunger, he announced that feeding programmee and food security projects would be implemented across communities within the district.

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    According to Adeleye, a major highlight of his administration will be the remodeling and refurbishment of the dining facilities at the Lagos State Model Junior College, Ojo, as part of the second phase of the club’s ongoing school support project.

    In his farewell address, Lion Ibrahim Bello reflected on the achievements of the past year, particularly the district’s impressive membership growth, rising from 1,531 to 1,783 active members, and recruiting over 521 new members.

    “What we present here is not just a press briefing; it is a powerful affirmation of our shared purpose,” Bello stated. “Let our legacy not be measured by the number of events, but by the lives we have transformed.”

    “When Lions serve, lives are touched, communities are changed, and history is made. The 2024-2025 Lions Service Year stands as a testimony to what focused leadership, teamwork, and service-driven commitment can achieve. From growth in membership to expanded service reach and strengthened club health, District 404B3 Nigeria has charted a course of excellence.

    As I hand over the baton to the next leadership team led by Lion Adelaja Adeleye, , I am confident that the District is poised for greater service impact and relevance in the years ahead, ” Bello said while declaring his full support to the new District Governor.

  • Lions Club holds entrepreneurship and financial growth summit

    Lions Club holds entrepreneurship and financial growth summit

    Maryland Golden Lions Club, District 404B2 Nigeria has held its Entrepreneurship and Financial Growth Summit.

    The summit held recently at Presken Reliance Centre, Opebi, centred on the theme: ‘Right Pricing, Real Profits’, and had members from within the club and outside participating.

    President of the club, Lion Olapeju Hassan said the summit falls under one of the club’s focus areas – youth empowerment.

    She said: “One of the ways we can empower ourselves is to have talks and discussions around how we can have right pricing for our  products, which was why we chose the topic: Right Pricing, Real Profits. We figure that it will help us envision profitability for our businesses. As you can see, 90 percent of the people here are entrepreneurs.”

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    Lion Ayoola Sogbesan who facilitated the lecture, said: “In a dynamic environment like Nigeria, where inflation has become part of our business experience, it is necessary for business owners to know how to price their products, so that they don’t run out of business. And the only way they can remain relevant and scale their business is to know how to price correctly and how to manage their profitability. That is the whole essence of this gathering today.”

    Citing the band system of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which has become a challenge to several small and medium scale businesses, Sogbesan said ” The first thing to do is to segment your products; know your customers and offer them prices that suit their pockets.”

    He added that the difference in Band A price and other bands balances out when one considers the extra cost consumers in other cheaper bands who do not have up to 20 hours of power per day incur in the area of generator fueling and maintenance.

    One of the participants, Abdul Waris Adeniran, commended the officers of the club for the programme, even as he stated that his biggest takeaway is the importance of packaging on pricing products.

  • Eribake takes over mantle as Lions District 404B2 District Governor

    Eribake takes over mantle as Lions District 404B2 District Governor

    It was gathering of elite Lions Club members July 3rd at the Protea Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja, as Lions Club District 404B2 Nigeria held a press briefing to usher in its new District Governor, Lion Oluwakemi Eribake.

    Eribake, performing her first official duty as District governor, called the press briefing to order at exactly 11.46am.

    Present at the presentation included the outgoing District Governor, Lion Tolulope Senbanjo; Multiple Council Chairman, Lion Ibrahim Jide Bello; Lion Otunba Kayode Oshinuga; newly elected Leo District 404b2 Nigeria President, Leo Emmauel Oladokun; Elders Forum Chairperson, Dr. Rosaline Toke Adebanjo, Vice Chairperson of the Elders Forum, Lion Dr Wesley O Kafidiya; Lion Dr. Makinde, Lion Isiaka Olusola Dada, Lion Kayode Ojo; Lion Dr Taiwo Samuel Adewole; Lion Josephine Ngele; Lion Sunday Akintunde Akere; District Cabinet Treasurer, Lion Yinka Ali; District Cabinet Secretary, Lion Ayomide Olayiwola and other members of the district governor’s cabinet for 2025/26 Lions Club year.

    Delivering his handover speech, outgoing District Governor, Lion Senbanjo listed some of his tenure high points, stating that the year was characterised by intentional service, leadership development, membership growth and impactful community engagement and service.

    Despite the economic challenges that marred the year, he said the district achieved notable progress and remarkable milestones, especially in the areas of membership growth, new charted clubs as well as in the delivery of service to their community.

    Delivering her acceptance speech, Lion Eribake described her election as not just a personal milestone, but a call to a greater purpose.

    She expressed her gratitude to the immediate past DG, with whom she served as First Vice District Governor ‘For his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication.

    She seized the occasion to unveil the SIMILE theme; an acronym of which she said will defines the core pillars of the club’s journey in the New Year.

    She explained that S stands for Service; I for Interest of members, M for membership growth, I for Integrity, L for Leadership, and E for Enlightenment for service activities.

    She also said the club will be adopting the mission REAL SERVIICE, reflecting the club’s core aspirations of- Relighting, Service; Empowering members; Addition and Advancement; and Leadership Development.

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    Additionally, she also introduced the new club slogan: Real Service, Committed to serve, which she described as “a declaration of intent to serve with our heart, head and hands.”

    She said the “district’s flagship project for the year shall be the establishment of a Youth Development Centre, a space designed to nurture Leadership, Innovation, and Capacity in our young people. This aligns with our focus on youth development.”

    In addition, she said her regime will continue and expand the District Food Bank initiative to meet pressing need of hunger relief across communities in the district.

    She expressed hope that the district would be able to meet the criteria necessary to apply for Bifurcation, through her teams intensified efforts in new clubs formation and strong membership retention strategies.

  • Ikeja Dynamic Lions club donates toilets/bathrooms, incinerator to Ibadan children hospital

    Ikeja Dynamic Lions club donates toilets/bathrooms, incinerator to Ibadan children hospital

    Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club has donated a 4-unit toilet, a bathroom, renovated a consulting room and also made provision for an incinerator at Oni Memorial Children Hospital, Ibadan.

    Immediate past president of the club, Lion Adeola Boluogun said the 3-in-1 project was a legacy project of the club led by his team of executives for Lions Club year 2024/25.

    Boluogun who only handed over mantle of leadership of the club early this week, said, the commissioning of the projects on June 30 2025, was to meet needs, which they considered pressing at the hospital.

    Read Also: Lions Club renovates school building in Lagos

    “We visited the facility and saw that it was poor in these areas, so we decided that the toilets and bathroom will provide the children a conducive environment to be attended to.”

    Boluogun also said the club had earlier provided the hospital with an incinerator in 2023, adding that they only responded to a call on them to remodel it for repair.

    Recalling some of the memorable projects he midwifed as president of the club, Boluogun said, “There are lots, too numerous to capture, with this Ibadan donations as icing on the cake.”

    He, however, listed the pediatric cancer awareness programme at Agidingbi Primary School, eye screening/provision of eye glasses and surgery, its hunger relief project, which catered to over 500 families in Ikeja in December last year, a fully equipped sick bay at Lagos State Model Primary School in Ikeja, drug awareness campaign in Alausa and Agidingbi communities, donation of cleaning materials at Ipodo market and donation of exercise books, writing materials and textbooks to three primary schools in Ikeja.

  • Lions Club renovates school building in Lagos

    Lions Club renovates school building in Lagos

    Lions Club Akowonjo has renovated a block of classrooms, the headteacher’s office and a security post at Shasha Community Nursery and Primary School, Lagos.

    Its District 404B3 Nigeria Governor, Ibrahim Bello, described the project as timely.

    “This three-in-one project just keys into our mission and vision of making an impact, especially in the educational sector. Every child deserves to learn in a conducive environment and we are proud to have met some of the needs of the school,” he said.

    The outgoing president of the club, Ayo Olugbenro, said the project reflects the club’s commitment to uplifting the community and making an impact through education-centred initiatives.

    She said: “This project became a necessity because of our vision of ensuring that no child is left behind. What we stand for is service to humanity, and we want to give them a good learning environment that will enable them to thrive as leaders of tomorrow.”

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    Olugbenro noted that the project marks the final project of her tenure and charged the school management to ensure proper maintenance of the facility.

    “This project is the last project my one-year tenure will accomplish at the Lions club. In my administration, we made sure to do a community-centred project every month, from free medical services to feeding initiatives. I want to urge the head of school and community to ensure adequate maintenance of the facility for the benefit of the pupils,”he added.

    The traditional ruler of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Ogunrombi, who commended the Lions Club, stated that the project is a call to action for other non-governmental organisations (NGOs)  and stakeholders to take up more Corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in their communities.

    “Kudos to the Lions Club for this laudable project. It is for humanitarians, and this just goes to say that the government cannot do it all, so if you are affluent or wealthy enough, It would go a long way to rise to the occasion of providing community assistance to the people who need it,” he said.

    Headmistress of the school, Kemi Odediran, expressed gratitude to the club, noting that the project solves a major space problem that the school has been facing for a while.

    “We have 400 pupils and a shortage of classrooms, but this project will do a lot of help for the children. It will create more space for the children to learn comfortably,” she said.

  • Lions Club shares food packs to 120 less privileged

    Lions Club shares food packs to 120 less privileged

    Maryland Golden Lions Club in partnership with Lagos hallmark Lions Club recently gave out free food packs to indigent and less privileged in the Ojodu axis of Ikeja, lagos.

    According to the Charter President of Maryland Golden Lions Club, Lion Olapeju Hassan said 0ver 120 residents in the neighbourhood were impacted.

    She also told The Nation that the project was inspired by her experience when her club in partnership with Lagos British Lions Club came to carry our similar exercise last month.

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    “We noticed that the food packs didn’t go round; so I made up my mind that I will come and make it right. Unlike what people think, behind the highbrow office structures and estates are abodes of les-privileged people who could do with some help. I grew up in this neighbourhood and if you ventured into the community, you’ll know that what you see on the main road is a façade.”

    Corroborating Lion Hassan, Charter president of Lagos Hallmark Lions Club, Lion Mercy Ngozi Amantu said even the bible states that ‘the poor will always be in your midst.”

    “We did a Needs Assessment in the community and found out that the major issue is hunger. Both the poor and rich are affected by the hard times.”

    Amantu said they gave out portions of rice and garri, which Lion Hassan said could feed a family for a week.

  • Lions Club New Voices donates waste bin, garden to college

    Lions Club New Voices donates waste bin, garden to college

    New Voices, an initiative of Lions Club International District 404B2 Nigeria, has donated a recycling waste bottle bin and a garden to Lagos State Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

    According to charter president, Alausa SDM Lions Club and Zone A chairperson, Lion Josephine Ngeleh, the giant bottle-shaped bin is to inculcate the culture of proper disposal of waste plastic bottles in the students as well as help them imbibe the culture of waste to wealth.

    Ngeleh said the club was also planting 48 edge plants in the school as a way of beautifying and protecting the environment.

    District Governor Tolulope Senbanjo said the gesture was in line with Lions Club’s global focus of Environment, adding that it is important to teach the younger generations the culture of waste recycling.

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    About the tree planting, he said: “It is to ensure that we protect our environment, encourage more oxygen and ensure that we do not deplete the ozone layer.”

    District Governor-Elect, Lion Mrs. Oluwakemi Eribake, who is also a vice principal in the school, said the project is a way of furthering the greener tomorrow campaign and also celebrate Children’s Day.

    “Don’t forget that this is a school, so we’re trying to educate the students on how to protect the environment.”

    She said New Voices is an initiative of Lions Club International’s first female president in 100 years, Lion Mrs. Gudrun Yngvadottir, and is aimed at balancing the gender imbalance in membership in the club and also give voice to the voiceless such as the youths and women in the society.

    A visibly excited Principal of the school, Mrs. Oluwayomi Soyombo, said the gift of the waste bin was timely, as it had been in the plan of the school, adding that it will help the students imbibe the habit of converting waste to wealth.

  • Lions club holds ‘New Voices Walk’ to champion inclusion, unity in Lagos

    Lions club holds ‘New Voices Walk’ to champion inclusion, unity in Lagos

    Lagos witnessed a vibrant display of advocacy and unity last Saturday when members of Lions Club International, District 404A3, held their annual New Voices Walk with the theme: “Voices in Motion: Walking for Inclusion, impact and innovation.”

    The symbolic walk covered a distance of over two kilometres from Oregun to the Jakande Johnson Tinubu (JJT) Park in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The event attracted Lions Club leaders, members, dignitaries and supporters from across the district to promote diversity, inclusion, and positive societal transformation through community service and advocacy.

    Speaking at the event, Lion Omotomike Titilayo Ibikunle, District chairperson of the New Voices Initiative, described the walk as an essential awareness campaign aimed at amplifying underrepresented voices in society—especially women and young people.

    “This walk is not just symbolic; it’s a call for inclusive leadership, diversity in service, and innovation in our communities,” she said.

    “It is an annual gathering of like-minded individuals committed to building peace, promoting unity, and celebrating the unique contributions of women and youth to leadership and social change.”

    Also addressing participants, Mary Onu, incoming President of Lions Club International District 404, emphasized that the New Voices platform was established to spotlight the historically underrepresented, particularly women.

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    “For many years, women were in the minority in the Lions Club, but the New Voices initiative has provided a platform for those voices to be heard and celebrated,” Onu explained.

    “Today, you can see the impact—more women are participating, and young people are joining the movement, recognizing that Lionism is not limited by age or gender.”

    She described Lionism as a community where service is driven by compassion, commitment, and collective impact, noting, “It’s not about how much you have, but your willingness to give what you can to uplift others. In this space, you also build strong networks and find people with shared values.”

    Lion Ano Anyanwu, Multiple Council Chairperson of Lions Club District 404, highlighted the broader mission of the New Voices initiative, stating that it continually raises awareness on critical social issues affecting vulnerable groups.

    “Every year, we organise service programs and activities like today’s walk to draw attention to the needs of the marginalized—including women, children, and the elderly,” Anyanwu said.

    “This year’s walk is another example of our commitment to giving voice to the voiceless and promoting peace through action.”

    The event featured placard-carrying participants, musical performances, and community engagement sessions aimed at raising awareness on the importance of social inclusion, youth participation, and compassionate service.

    With an increasing number of women and young people taking active roles in the club’s leadership and activities, the New Voices Walk continues to serve as a beacon for inclusive progress, positioning Lions Club International as a force for unity and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.

  • Lions Club takes tree planting to schools

    Lions Club takes tree planting to schools

    Lagos British Lions Club, District 404B2 Nigeria recently took its Environmental Awareness Tree Planting project to two Lagos schools – Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Oba Akinjobi Road and Agidingbi Primary School, Agidingbi both in Ikeja.

    According to the club’s charter president, Kehinde Odulana, the focus of the project was to raise awareness about climate change and promote environment preservation.

    “We are here to create awareness about climate change; and we believe one way of doing that is to inculcate in youngsters the culture of protecting their environment, through tree planting.  Altogether, we have planted 16 trees in Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Oba Akinjobi Road and Agidingbi Primary School, Agidingbi both in Ikeja.”

    Read Also: Lions Club holds medical outreach

    In the near future, she expects the schools to nurture the trees such that they can begin to beautify and benefit the pupils.

    Her twin sister, Lion Taiwo Ogunyemi nee Odulana said the trees will provide shed for the pupils in the future while adding that plants generally help to lift people’s spirit when they are down.

    Lion Adeola Boluogun, who said he was there to guide and support the new club in his capacity as president of the supervisory club, Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club, cited the natural role of providing oxygen to the environment as another major benefit of the project.

    Headmistress of Agidingbi Primary School, Mrs Oseni Fatimo Olasumbo, commended Lagos British Lions Club for the gesture, saying it will inculcate in the children the culture of agriculture.

  • Lions Club holds medical outreach

    Lions Club holds medical outreach

    Lagos Achievers Lions Club in Obalende area of Lagos State has held a medical outreach for members of the community and people living in the neighbourhood.

    President of the club, Imeobong Oluyemi, said the programme was targeted at 1,000 beneficiaries, adding that it was inspired by the outcome of needs assessment exercise carried out in the community.

    “A lot of them told us they had medical issues, but were not able to find time to see a doctor, or get medications; so we decided as a club to come over and give them free medical attention.”

    Oluyemi said the club could cater for more than 1,000 patients, especially with the support of Health Extra Medical Services, a medical services company.

    Chairman, Planning Committee for the event, Silvia Effah, said the club settled for Obalende community because Lions Clubs were community-based.

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    She said the outreach focused on checking patients’ basic vitals such as diabetes/sugar test and BP test.

    She said the club was compiling a database and would follow up on those with serious cases.

    Founder/CEO Health Extra Medical services, Dr. Credo Obiefuna, whose organisation provided support of medical experts and medication, said: “We decided to join Lions Club in the outreach because we realise it is a very good cause.”

    A Senior Registrar, Paediatrics Oncology Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Oladunni Okoduga, gave a talk on Childhood Cancer.

    Other supporters of the project are Assene Laborex, May & Baker, Emzor Pharamaceutical , EHA clinics and Colexa Biosensor, who donated pharmaceutical medications, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.