No fewer than 1,000 members of Lions Club International, District 404B4, have converged in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, for a three-day annual convention dubbed “Ajisegiri 2025,” with the theme “Service without Boundaries.”
The elated members, on Thursday, traveled in convoy to pay homage to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege II, to receive royal blessings. They later visited Bowen University Teaching Hospital to support pediatric cancer patients.
They will also march through the streets of Ogbomoso on Saturday to raise awareness about the club’s presence in the ancient town before the convention later in the day.
Speaking earlier at a press conference regarding the club’s activities, District Governor Lion Engineer Taiwo Fatoki stated that Lions Club International has six districts in Nigeria, of which District 404B4 is one.
Lion Fatoki also emphasized that the club aims to complement government efforts by providing support to the less privileged in society.
He recalled that $10,000 was sent to Borno State from the headquarters of the club in the USA to mitigate the effects of a disaster that ravaged the state some time ago.
Lion Fatoki further noted that 1,000 diabetes patients have received free treatment provided by Lions International District 404B4 in the last six months across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
Fatoki, who assumed office as the governor of the club in July 2024, mentioned that about 500 diabetes patients were screened and treated in Mushin, Lagos State, while an equal number were treated in Ota, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The District Governor, who described diabetes as a silent killer worldwide, advised Nigerians to prioritize their health by conducting regular tests at reputable healthcare facilities.
He explained that Lions Club, which has been in existence for over a century, was established to provide humanitarian services to people around the globe.
According to him, “Lions International has six districts in Nigeria and has been rendering humanitarian services to alleviate human suffering, particularly in areas such as blindness, diabetes, pediatric cancer, youth empowerment programs, and environmental disasters.”
“The club has been providing a variety of services across the country. His predecessor empowered many widows and women with grinding machines, while Lions International donated $10,000 to victims of a flood disaster in Borno State last year.”
Speaking on the theme of the convention, “Service without Boundaries,” Fatoki stated that it was brought to Ogbomoso to extend the club’s services to other parts of the district.
“Lions International has been providing humanitarian services and is firmly established in cities in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states. We want to bring these services to Ogbomoso, Igboho, Saki, and other areas in Oke Ogun to serve humanity.”
“During the convention, we will visit traditional rulers and hospitals to treat diabetes and cancer patients,” he added.
During a visit to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Fatoki mentioned that one of the programs of Lions Club is the treatment of pediatric cancer.
The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Y. T. Olasinde, who received the club members, stated that blood cancer is the most common form of cancer in children. She urged the club to assist the hospital with a cold centrifuge machine, which she said would aid in the early detection of the disease.
“Research has shown that blood cancer is the most common form of cancer among children. One piece of equipment we need is a cold centrifuge machine, which will help in the early detection of the disease. The hospital would be grateful if Lions International could assist us with this machine,” the CMAC Chairman said.