By Musa Luka Musa
The Abuja Metropolitan Lions Club has organized a pre-investiture programme at Gwarimpa 1 Junior Secondary School in Abuja.
The event, part of the club’s ongoing mission to support underprivileged communities, featured free eye and diabetes screenings, and a feeding programme for the hungry.
Lion Oluyomi David Coker, the President of Abuja Metropolitan Lions Club explained the event’s significance, noting that the club is out to provide free medical services, including eye tests, diabetes screening, and medication for those in need.
According to Kola, the club’s involvement with the Gwarimpa community is not new.
“We’ve assessed the needs of this school, and one major concern is its lack of security due to a damaged fence, which allows people to use it as a thoroughfare. We plan to rebuild the fence to ensure the children’s safety. Additionally, we’ll fix the toilet facilities and look into renovating the classrooms,” he said, emphasizing the club’s commitment to improving the learning environment.
The Past District Governor of Abuja Metro Lions Club, Lion Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi, also shared her thoughts on the event and the club’s broader contributions over the years.
Reflecting on their projects, she mentioned, “We’ve done numerous projects, from eye surgeries to installing solar-powered boreholes in rural communities.”
Presenting gifts to secondary school teachers, the Charter president Abuja Prestige Metro Lions club Lion, Helen Joseph, said, “October 5th is a special day where we appreciate World Teachers’ Day. So, we use that to show appreciation to all the teachers in this school. Two weeks ago, we carried out the Bee competition here. And I will tell you that the children did excellently well. We were amazed”.
Asuquo Bassey and Rose Asuquo, a couple who participated in all eye checkups, diabetes screening, and Blood pressure checks, said they were privileged to have participated.
According to Bassey, with the present economic challenge, affording medical bills is no longer easy, while Rose commented, “I never knew I had high blood pressure until now’ she said.
Appreciating the club, the district head of Gwarimpa, HRH Umar Bayero, said the activities of the club are commendable and called on similar clubs and associations to engage in community service as they give back to the community.
“Today I’m seeing the people who don’t have money to afford hospital bills, but are receiving free medical care here, we thank them for choosing our community for this humanitarian work,” he said.