Akhuetie Benedicta Ejiye, new president of Ikeja Exclusive Lions Club, has said that her focus areas during her term would be to sponsor a Leo’s Club, and to also ensure with team efforts that all five (5) yearly activities on hunger, environment, vision, childhood cancer and diabetes are carried out as well as other community activities that would improve lives of vulnerable persons and the needy.
Ejiye made the pledge shortly after she was decorated as the new president of the club, adding that she would work hard to increase membership by recruiting another ten (10) members into the club; leadership trainings to improve personal lives, enhance capacity building and make others tap from the group’s professionalism; ensure that the club be in good financial standing both at the local and international level, and to facilitate the formation of branch clubs locally and in the Diaspora.
She said her concerns stemmed from the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s estimate, that up to 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer globally. “That means a child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes; eighty (80) of them live in low and middle income countries like Nigeria. Childhood cancer is a silent epidemic stealing young Nigerians,” she said.
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In an elaborate celebration in commitment to community volunteering, Lions from different Districts within and outside Lagos gathered at the event centre of St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja to give their support to District 404B Nigeria.
The event was chaired by an astute and accomplished business man John Udie, and supported by other dignitaries including Anthony Okpere, a former Air Vice Marshal.
In her acceptance speech, Ejiye said: “The thought of ever becoming president had never come to mind. I simply wanted to volunteer in the community. For those of you who know me well, I’m passionate about all things Lion stands for. I am grateful for your trust and humbled that you chose me.”
According to her, “What I love about us is that at Exclusive Club we are strong in membership, open to new ideas and change, versatile in projects and activities, and have such a diversity of people who share a common goal to serve community.
“What I also really love about our club are the partners and families who support our members because without your involvement and volunteering, our club simply could not do what we do. And it’s now fantastic to have more families joining and seeing so many kids attending our meetings and for our club to be so welcome and inclusive.”
The new president further said that “Being a family-friendly club is important to me and I know we are the envy of other clubs in our district. This is what I really look forward to building on in the next 12 months despite the challenges Covid-19 pandemic poses.”
