By: Ike Philip Abiagom
13th President, Asaba Diamond Lions Club
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ions Club International District 404A1 Nigeria, Asaba Diamond Lions Club has officially made Lion Cordelia Isioma Okowanji its 13th president during an elaborate Fundraising and Investiture ceremony held at Benizia Hotel, Asaba,Delta State.
Okowanji, during her acceptance speech expressed profound gratitude to the club members for bestowing such honour on her promising to do everything possible to uphold the integrity of the club and hope to deliver quality leadership to the club and in doing that continue with the excellent jobs that previous presidents have done by providing services to the less privileged. She however assured that with the help of God, support of the board members and her fellow club members, she will do her best to meet their expectations.
‘‘Service is what we do, it is who we are as Lions and we are able to achieve our purpose not only from tasking ourselves but also through financial support of corporate and individual sponsors” the newly elected president noted.”
She noted that with these projected activities, ‘‘it is our utmost desire to bring joy and relief to every individual we are able to reach across as we engage in our projects.
“We can only achieve this with your continued support and kind donations. As the theme for this year is, service, our way of life, I call upon each and every one of us to find the philanthropic spirit in us and help our club achieve these set goals this year by acts of service to humanity.
“I want to use this medium to express our appreciation to all our distinguished guests for honouring our invitation. Let me bring to your notice, our distinguished guests and non-Lions that Lions Club International was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones in Chicago, USA to provide a platform to service the needs of the society.
“Today, Lions Club International is the global leader in community and humanitarian service with membership of over 1.4 million in over 200 countries. And Lions Club International remains the only Service club with consultative status with United Nations (UN).”
She expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the occasion, Lion Francis Ohiomaba, the Chief launcher, Royal Father of the day, Royal Guest of Honour, the Guest Speaker, and among other distinguished guests who graced the occasion.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Lion Francis Ohiomaba, who was represented by Rev.Fr. Nobert Uchunor encouraged the club members and all good hearted Nigerians to support the president morally and financially, stressing that the club needs resources to be able to execute the number of projects that were on ground for the Lions` year.
“We need to rally round the president to ensure that the Lion’s year will become a success for her and that she is able to embark on all of the projects he desires”, Ohiomaba said.
Lion Francis Ohiomaba, expressed satisfaction over the event, saying that it was an opportunity to raise funds for the less privileged.He affirmed that the newly installed president’s focus on the less privileged was commendable, adding, “She is the right course trying to pursue our mandate”, while encouraging the president not to relent in his efforts.
Eminent personalities honoured by Asaba Diamond Lion Club include, Lion Francis Ohiomaba,Mr Ogom Nwaoboshi, His Eminency, Triple Chief Celestine Okafor,(Ikwele of Ibusa)Her Royal Highness,Obi Isioma J. Nwannabuogwu,(Omu of Ibusa),Chief(Mrs)Unoma C. Ude, Barrister Charles Nwaogwugwu among others distinguished Awardees.
