By Juliet Umeh

To strengthen healthcare delivery for residents of Ajah and its environs, the Lekki Elites Lions Club, District 404-A3 Nigeria, has announced plans to provide a 40kVA diesel generator valued at N20 million to the Orchid Road General Hospital.

The announcement was made during the investiture ceremony of the club’s second President, Lion Ivy Ikpeme-Mbakwem, where the club also unveiled its legacy project aimed at improving essential medical infrastructure at the hospital. 

In her acceptance speech, the new president shared how her lifelong exposure to Lions International, through her parents, “shaped my passion for service.”

She said although “I once joked that I would never follow in their footsteps,” she now stands ready to carry forward their legacy.

She explained that the club decided to adopt the Orchid Road General Hospital after a needs-assessment visit led by the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Olufunmilola. 

According to her, “the hospital urgently requires an ECG machine, air conditioners, mammoth bins, wheelchairs, printers, chairs, an ambulance and the 40kVA generator, which forms our immediate focus for this legacy project.”

She emphasised that “equipping the hospital will improve patient care and enhance the working environment for medical staff.” 

She called on members, partners and the community to support the initiative, stressing that “collective effort will help save lives and strengthen the community.”

The club has already recorded several impactful projects this Lions Year, ranging from digital literacy for students, breastfeeding support for nursing mothers, back-to-school initiatives, donations to orphanages and participation in global awareness campaigns.

Chairperson of the Investiture Planning Committee, Abasifreke Mbede, appreciated members and Lions leaders for their support, noting that the success of the event was due to the guidance of the District Governor, Lion Mary Onu, and the commitment of club members.

In her valedictory message, the Charter President, Mrs. Vera Odu, highlighted achievements from the previous service year, noting “our educational support to students, maternal and child care interventions, environmental protection efforts, free screenings for hundreds of residents, and support for multiple orphanages and the visually impaired community.”

She also paid tribute to late Charter Member Lion Emana Eke, describing her as “a vibrant and dedicated Lion whose passing in May 2025 left a huge void.”

Lion Odu expressed confidence in the new leadership and urged members and well-wishers to support President Ivy Ikpeme-Mbakwem’s service year. She noted that the club, though young, “has established a strong foundation in service, education, health and community development.”

The Lekki Elites Lions Club reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting the community, emphasising that “meaningful change begins with a vision and the willingness to act.”