Charles Onyemachi installed new President Lions Club
Omeiza Bilal
The Abuja Platinum Lion’s club has installed its new president, Lion Charles Onyemachi for the 2024 – 2025 lion year.
Onyemachi, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to his predecessor for his dedicated service in promoting the club’s vision and mission.
He specifically thanked the immediate past president; Lion Abia Antigha for his exceptional leadership over the past two years.
He highlighted the urgent need for collective humanitarian efforts to address the significant challenges posed by the country’s economic difficulties, emphasising that the government alone cannot tackle these issues.
He therefore urged Nigerians to come together to support their various local communities particularly within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The new President thanked members for the opportunity to serve at a personal honor and “privilege for our new board to uphold the club’s vision and mission this year. With your support, I am confident we can achieve our objectives” he stated.
He stressed the need for an uptick in humanitarian services in light of current challenges. Since its charter in 2022, the club has focused on addressing eight global issues identified by Lions Clubs International, implementing impactful projects such as free cataract surgeries and diabetes screenings.
According to him, “This service year, the club plans to prioritize maternal health particularly in rural communities facing severe challenges like limited prenatal care and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.”
Onyemachi outlined a strategy that includes enhancing healthcare access, community education and partnerships with local organizations.
One key initiative he stressed is the planned procurement of two mini ambulances for remote communities starting with Tungan-Maje, a suburb of the FCT. “Each ambulance will cost approximately N4 million and the club aims to raise enough funds to cover these expenses,” he said.
He also announced plans to distribute 50 maternal health kits also known as Mama Kits valued at N50,000 each to support safe childbirth.
“Additionally, the club aims to acquire electronic devices for vision screening in children addressing a critical need as poor vision can hinder learning. The cost for this initiative is estimated at $6,000 (about 10M).
The club will also provide 50 free cataract surgeries for low-income individuals budgeting N3 million for this project,” he said.
He reiterated the club’s commitment to support the District Governor’s initiative to establish a food bank to combat hunger and assist the underprivileged.
Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro a development expert and keynote speaker at the event addressed the gaps in social welfare in Nigeria, highlighting the country’s significant contributions to global maternal mortality rates. He urged for a more formalized approach to philanthropy in Nigeria noting barriers such as lack of transparency, limited public trust and inadequate regulatory frameworks.
Dr. Ayibakuro called for improved processes for registering nonprofit organizations and emphasized the importance of a national database for trustworthy charitable organizations.
Alhaji Abdulwaheed Salihu who is the Tungan-Maje Community Palace Secretary praised Lions Club for past humanitarian efforts which include a solar borehole project in the community expressing appreciation for the planned ambulances and maternal care support.
