By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Eko Legacy Lions Club, District 404B2, has appealed to Nigerians to cultivate the habit of providing succour to the downtrodden. To exemplify this, the club took part of its charitable deeds to Iyana Iba Market in Lagos, located along the LASU road, where they fed over 500 persons on January 18.
President of the club, Oludayo Adekunle-Oni, said feeding of the underprivileged was part of the club’s quest to fight hunger and also offer a helping hand to members of the community. He said they were dedicated to the welfare of humanity, promising that this was not going to be a one-off event and that several communities in the state would benefit from the humanitarian deeds of Lions Club.
While reiterating the commitment of Lions Club International to relieving hunger across Nigeria, he said the activities were simply to put smiles on people’s faces.
He said: “You can see how we have met the needs of these people. This charity to indigent Nigerians and the traders at the market at Iba local council development area is basically to see to the need of humanity in our own little way and also to see to the needs of the poor in the locality where we are as Lion members.”
Adekunle-Oni encourage kindhearted Nigerians to join them to expand their area of coverage and expand their service or even, on their own, give helping hand to the less-privileged. According to him, it is a call to service to all Nigerians, regardless of whether they are Lions or not.
He said: “We have seen it so far that a lot of people are hungry and there is a need to help the needy. It is not that we are too rich or too buoyant, but because we have that spirit of giving. If you don’t have the spirit of giving you cannot become a Lion member.
“Hunger is a problem without borders. Our club offers programs and initiatives that can aid members achieve huge strides in providing meals and nutrition for the downtrodden in need. We hopes that one day no child will ever have to live without knowing when their next meal will come.
“Although global statistics reveals that one in none people are chronically hungry.The chances of food insecurity ~10% higher for women.At least 50% of children under age 5 have hidden hunger and lack of essential nutrients. Two billion people lack regular access to nutritious and sufficient food. 25% of children are stunted due to lack of nutritious food according to World Health Organization, report that’s why we are trying to contribute the little can.”
Furthermore, he said that the club has other areas of focus such as childhood cancer, among others. “The foundation of our mission include our five pillars of service: vision, hunger, diabetes, cancer, environment. In these times of adversity, Lions around the world are safely answering the call to service. From food delivery to healthcare and providing medical supplies where they are needed most, Lions and Leos are finding ways to show how kindness matters,” he noted.