By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

No fewer than One thousand members of Lions Club International, District 404B4 have converged on Ogbomoso ,area of Oyo state for a Three- day Annual convention, dubbed “Ajisegiri 2025’with the theme “Service without Boundaries “

The elated members on Thursday in convoy paid homage to the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso,Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege 2,to receive royal blessing and later Bowen University Teaching Hospital to support Paediatric Cancer patients.

They also plan to match through the streets of Ogbomoso on Saturday to create awareness of members of the club in the ancient town and then the convention later in the day.

Speaking earlier at a press conference on the activities of the club,the District Governor Lion Engineer Taiwo Fatoki said that Lions Club International has Six Districts in Nigeria of which District 404B4 is one.

Lion FATOKI also said that the club among others is all out to complement the efforts of governments by putting succours on the faces of the less privileged in the society.

He also recalled that 10,000 US Dollars was sent to Borno state from the headquarters of the club in USA to mitigate the effects of the disaster that ravaged the state sometimes ago.

Lion Fatoki also said that one Thousand diabetes patients have enjoyed free treatment provided by Lions International District 404B4 in the last six months in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

Fatoki who assumed office as the governor of the club in July 2024 said that about 500 diabetes patients were screened and treated in Mushin, Lagos state while equal number of patients were treated in Otta, Abeokuta in Ogun state and Ibadan, Oyo state capital respectively.

The District governor who described diabetes as a silent killer among the people all over the world advised Nigerians to take care of their health by conducting regular tests on their health in reputable healthcare facility.

He explained that the Lion Club which has being in existence for over a century was established to provide humanitarian services to the people all over the world.

According to him, “Lions International has six districts in Nigeria and has been rendering humanitarian services to alleviate the suffering of humans especially in blindness, diabetes, Paediatric Cancer, youth empowerment programmes and environmental disaster.

“The club has been providing variety of services across the country adding that his predecessor empowered many widows and women with grinding machines while Lions International donated $10,000 United States Dollar to victims of flood disaster in Borno state last year.”

Speaking on the theme of the convention; “Service without boundaries”, Fatoki said that it was brought to Ogbomoso to extend the services of the club to other parts of the district.

Lions International has been providing humanitarian services and it is firmly established in cities in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, we want to bring the service 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 said.

Speaking during a visit to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Fatoki said that one of the programs of Lions club was the treatment of Paediatric Cancer.

The Chairman Medical Advisory Committee of the Hospital, Dr(Mrs) Y. T. Olasinde who received members of the club said that blood Cancer was the commonest form of Cancer in children and urged the Club to assist the hospital with Cold Centrifuge machine which she said would assist in early detection of the disease.

“Research has shown that Blood Cancer is the commonest form of Cancer amongst the children and one equipment we need is the Cold Centrifuge machine which will help in early detection of the disease. The Hospital will be happy if Lions International can assist us with this machine”, the CMAC Chairman said.