A foremost humanitarian organisation in the world, Lions club had on Thursday announced that diabetes awareness and actions campaign would form part of its core service project in Akwa Ibom State and beyond for the 2020/2021 service year.
It added that the choice became imperative following the upsurge in the reported cases of diabetes which it described as an ‘un-noticed killer.’
These were disclosed in a statement during the Investiture and Fundraising Ceremony of Lion Enobong Ekefre as the 16th President of Uyo Metropolitan lions club held at Breakforth event hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
The newly sworn in president noted that the group within the period would engage in pediatric cancer advocacy and care, clinical evaluation, diagnosis and staging that is, determining the extent cancer has gone.
He further disclosed that the organisation would make a deliberate attempt in relieving hunger by providing food to selected destitute homes and orphanages and the promotion of general healthy lifestyle.
He therefore urged members to continue to live a life of service despite the harsh economic effects of covid 19 pandemic adding that, with unity, the club will make great achievements this service year.
“This year our club has chosen diabetes awareness and actions as our core service project. We are taking this message and actions for the next twelve months, across the landscape of Akwa Ibom and beyond. Our budget is huge but our target this evening is to raise a minimum of five Million Naira to carry out this onerous task.
“We will also during this period give voice to pediatric cancer advocacy, early diagnosis and staging, access to treatment, relieve hunger by making food supplies to selected destitute homes and orphanages, promote safer environment and promote healthy lifestyle.” The statement read in parts.
Earlier, the District Governor, District 404 A2 Nigeria, Lion Sunday said the organisation would offer free medical treatment to 10million under privileged Nigerians suffering from different ailments.
He revealed that the club has touched the lives of thousands of Nigeria in the last 2019/2020 service year through free medical treatment, distribution of free text books to aid adult learning programmes and the construction of health center which is currently at the 70 percent completion.
His words, ‘despite the impact of the pandemic and the devastating adverse effects on the economy and on the social life of Nigeria and Nigerians, we shall work as an organised team, leveraging on our experiences, and putting our collective resources, time, talent and treasures to achieve our set goals.
“I am certain that you will be an effective team player and can boost of our succeeding in leadership, membership, and service excellence.”
He urged the members to continue to leverage on the training they have received and utilize all the club improvements tools on the learning Centre and the human resources that abound to achieve enviable legacies of service in their immediate community.