My Living Heroes, Memberships of Council of Governors, Distinguished Delegates, Lions and Leos, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Glory be to God Almighty for making today a reality and in fulfillment of His promise that I will attain this exalted position of District Governor at long last.
Every successful person will have a story to tell, mine is not different as you are all aware that the race have been very tough and historic by all standards.
In 2003, I was approached by some leaders to contest for the post of 2nd Vice District Governor, little did I know that it would turn out to be a fiercely contest. I took up the challenge but lost the race then. Glory be to God that I was able to remain focused until I was again invited to re-contest in the year 2007 at the historic venue – Ilorin where the race started at first instance, with your support I won the race.
Sincerely, Competition is sweet and the best option to elect would –be – leaders, it should be allowed to be scientific without room for acrimony and bad blood. I want to sincerely thank all lions for the Confidence repose in me to emerge to serve at this level, and to say that the mandate given to me will be used to the Glory of God, mankind and in furtherance of the Lions Purpose and Code of Ethics.
During my campaign, I was to interest and mend fences and put across my vision for the development of the District and Lionism in general. I emphasized the need top “Expand to Serve” this will manifest in my foregoing address to you. I promise to uphold the tenet of Lionism, and leave it better than I met it, by the Grace of Almighty God and the support and cooperation of all Lions.
ACCEPTANCE
My District Governors,. Past District Governors, Vice District Governors – Elect, it is with all sense of humility and gratitude to God that I stand before you to accept full responsibility to continue to serve humanity in the capacity of District Governor, District 404 B, Nigeria for 2009 – 2010.
ADMINISTRATION
Our District has been operating in a rented apartment for some time now. The dream of my predecessor was to have a befitting Secretariat Premises but a lot of obstacles have been on the way. An attempt to break the barriers necessitated my loving Governor Asiwaju Yinka Griffin to institute a long range Planning Committee to fashion a modality to achieve our dream through proper coordination of District future projects. This is presently being handled by no other person than our Pioneer Distinct Governor Engr. Jaiye Balogun. I am sure the dream will become a reality through concreted efforts of my successor. I will please invite all well-meaning members and Nigeria Public to join us to build a LION CLUBS VILLAGE that will eventually accommodate all our aspirations.
STAFFING
Presently, our secretariat requires an administrator of no less than a graduate of Business Administration with experience in Service organization. With prudent management of your dues, I will endeavor to consolidate and improve the standard of the existing staff to meet the present aspirations. I invite you to give me your absolute support to serve you better.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
You will agree with my predecessor Asiwaju Yinka griffin did improve on this matter in the out going year, I want to assure you that I am adopting other form of methods to make communication more effective. We shall reach out to members through SMS, Email and hand delivery letters/document through courier services at affordable cost. I will appeal to all Lions to take note of documented events and pass information across to members without hindrances. Let no one hoard or can information, as this will be retrogressive.
OUR THEME & LOGO:“EXPAND TO SERVE” / “ MOVE TO GROW”
You will agree with me that I have been an advocacy of service by expansion, having been involved in membership and extension services for many years. I was privileged to be appointed a member of African Membership Team in Kenya, with the task of giving African membership a boost within 2008 and 2010. We shall be at the forefront of making African dream of attaining 40,000 members a reality as per the resolution reached during the 14th African Forum, which will secure the constitutional Area for Africans. On our part in District 404 B Nigeria, we must embrace the challenge and contribute to the growth in no small measure. This prompted me to adopt the theme “EXPAND TO SERVE” meaning that clubs formation in all Religion is a task. I am challenging my region and Zone chairpersons to deliver at least two sustainable clubs per Region in this Lionistic year. In short, our goal is twenty new Clubs and I will want all Club presidents to attain at least three new membership gains during the year. We will by this set the ground for another Sub-District.
Expand to Serve will be our slogan in all facets of service and we must imbibe the spirit of growth as exemplified by the international President whose theme is also “MOVE TO GROW”. Fellow Lions, we have a herculean tasks before us this year if we are to meet the yearnings of the less privileged ones in our various communities.
EXPANSION OF REGIONS AND ZONES
It become imperative to expand the region and streamlined the zone structures to accommodate the intended additions of clubs and increased membership as depicted by our slogan for the year. The Regions have been increased from nine to eleven, where as we have the Zones reduced from twenty-four to twenty – two for administrative convenience. By this arrangement it will be more comfortable to fix in new clubs from different locations as they may emerge.
DISTRICT COMMITEES
There are twenty – three (23) main committees stipulated by the international Association of Lions Clubs in Oakbrook, USA. We have however, created more committees in view of our local demands. It was observed that some lions were appointed into positions in the past without actually participating and giving value to these positions. We have looked inwards and consulted widely to appoint leaders that will actually make meaningful contributions. We have equally taken cognizance of new emerging leaders whom we feel will be inspired to make impact. I need to reiterate that, whoever feels he has no guideless or require information to assist in the performance of his/her duties should not hesitate to ask in order to make a difference this time around. Together we can achieve more………………. TEAM.
You will observe too that there were some new committees created due to circumstances and dictates of this time, they are:-
1) Lions History Book Review Committee.
2) Charter Presidents/Elders/Founders’ Day.
3) Dinner in the Dark Committee – (Sight & Non – Sighted).
Members of theses committees are advised to leave up to expectations and provide necessary justification for continuous existence of the program for the betterment of our better people.
Special Sports Committee
This is not a new program but it will be conducted differently this year, as we have adopted a proposal to distribute PETs (personal Energy Transportation) to Leg physically disable peoples in Nigeria. This will provide vehicles for individuals with disabilities that have no means of mobility. The distributions will hold in two locations, Lagos and Kaduna. This Program will be coordinated by Lion Alhaji S.A.O. Koleosho who is the brain behind the program.
MERLO
This committee will be chaired by the first Vice District Governor, our Ambassador Lion Segun Bamigbetan – Baju who will coordinate the activities of MEMBERSHIP, EXTENSION, RETENTION, and LEADERSHIP AND OREINTATION Committees. Those serving in these capacities remain unchanged as this will equally facilitates continuity and growth. This administration will encouraged and support aggressive membership drive and formation of new clubs as expressed earlier. The fact is that continuous existence of Lionism in Nigeria and the world in general depends on ability to RETAIN and EXPAND on membership base. We shall be ready to go extra miles to achieve our goals by providing incentives to any Lion who is ready to work with Merlo team to achieve the desired results. Awards and Recognition will be given to such Lions, not only at the Club or District levels but at international office for the highest recognition by the international President.
Membership and Leadership Training
Members are the blocked of our Association, Therefore we must continue to scout for quality, dedicated and committed members. Our recent past had been impressive in terms of growth, we have 1,570 members as at March 2009, we hope to aggressively add abut 400 members from mew clubs, 290 members from various clubs through addition of three members per club and look forward to have 50 new Female Lions members. Finally, we intend to strike a net of 2, 300 members at the end of the Lionistic year. Ambitious and tough as it may seem, this goal is achievable and realistic. We shall take the training of members as a priority and would make it affordable and comfortable all the time. We intend to have a retreat for all cabinet officers and later conduct the President/Secretary and Treasurers training. There will be Orientation workshops Retention Clinics and Extension Seminars on quarterly basis. I therefore enjoin all lions to take full advantage of this program to improve their individual and personal skills in the administration of human and material resources. In this regard I would implore Lon Dr. Abiola job, the Leadership Chairpaerson to package the training program in such a manners that will attract the participations of all Lions in the District.
CLUBS INVESTITURES
This is an important activity of Lions Clubs whereby new officers and the Presidents of Clubs in particular are invested and raise funds from the public to undertake various humanitarian projects in the year. It is important to say that the event require thorough planning and execution. Presidents are advised to inform the District Governor who is usually the host Lion on time of the event, and be time conscious in their arrangement. As much as possible, I will endeavor to be present but where it becomes impossible, my vice District Governors or Region Chairperson will stand in for me. It is incumbent of all Presidents to advice the District Governor early enough for planning purposes. All investitures must be concluded on or before December 2009, while Charter Presentation is a Priority to be attended by the District Governor.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION(LCIF)
You are hereby informed that our revered PDG Lion Thaku Chugani had been appointed LCIF Ambassador and MD Coordinator of the above mentioned program in the entire MD 404 Nigeria. By this development, the efforts of theses LCIF coordinators will help increase both awareness of LCIF’s work and donations received, allowing Lions to provide greater humanitarian service when needed locally and globally. Please note that the new LCIF MD and District coordinator will fill the role formerly served by MD and District LCIF Chairpersons. This new structure will be effective from next Lionistic year 2009/2010.We have unanimously also appointed our pioneer District Governor Lion PDG Jaiye Balogun as District 404 Coordinator strongly appeal to all Lions to give all the support required o these appointees to successfully perform their functions.
PUBLICITY & MEDIA RELATIONS
My predecessors had been doing a lot in giving our activities the necessary publicity it deserves. Their efforts have been tremendous and we shall continue t improve it this year. There has been insight into other areas to make further impact, which a team led by Lion Doctor Funke Adebajo is rightly coordinating. We need publicity to attract financial assistance from within and without our country and from Oakbrook.
LEO PROGRAMME
The Leo activity has been streamlined and properly managed under the able leadership of Lion princess Toyin Atobale who was the first Female Past Leo Chair person. Though the appointment has become a three\-year term, we have sought the approval of Oakbrook to relief her of the assignment which will now be continued by another capable and experience Lion Leader, Lion T.A.K. Soniregun. The Leo District President – elect has been consulted and his program has been equally harmonized with ours to ensure proper coordination and effective management. I have been assured that the Leos will reciprocate our laudable gestures.
Youth Outreach
This program is aimed at giving our youth the right orientation from the early stag that is “Changing tomorrow today”. Emphasis is placed on the many opportunities available for young people to volunteer in their communities in order to help them gain responsible citizenship skills.
LIONS – QUEST
This program has taken off properly in Nigeria. It requires further boost and impact on the lives of our children. We need to take it wider in the district to other areas. The Lions-Quest Skills for Growing (Grades K-5), Skills for Adolescence (Grades 6-8) and skills for Action (high school) teach youth how to make healthy decisions and to say “no” to drug abuse and other negative behavior. All three Lions-Quest programs also include community service and violence prevention/conflict resolution components.
INTERNATIONAL FORAS
We are billed to attend the following intercontinental forum this fiscal year. The India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East (ISSAME) will hold in India between 4th and 7th December 2009 while the Africa forum will hold in Morocco between 3rd & 6th February 2010. it is important that attendees prepare adequately and timely for these foras to avoid the Haphazard preparation and undue disappointment that had been experienced in the past.
PARTNERSHIP WITH CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND MULTINATIONALS
This initiative is a development we must embrace in all ramifications. We have enjoyed the cooperation of this organization in the past and it has added great value to serve delivery to the less privilege. We must look outwards to attract the participation of relevant organizations to partner with us particularly in the area of::
1. Shell Nigeria Plc - Roll Back Malaria
2. Global Com Nigeria - Branding
3. Intercontinental Bank Plc - Visa Cards
We have held discussion on modality to participate for the great advantage of our members. Please be prepared to make contributions when the ways and means are been finalized.
CONCLUSION AND APPRECIATION
My MDCC, IPDGs, PDGs, VDGs, Fellow Lions and Leos, the above represents my vision for the District, inter-continental and International program for this year. Let me Thank God Almighty for taking us thus far, and your unflinching support to see me through to this stage. I am grateful to you personally and collectively. To my immediate predecessor, Asiwaju Yinka Griffin, your leadership capabilities and tutelage had been of tremendous benefit to me. You have molded me so well to carry on the good work.
I am thankful to the entire Egbada Lionss members, for giving me, the platform to serve in this capacity and for their support at all times. To my lovely and loveable wife and children, the encouragement, the sacrifice and prayers have made the impossible possible. We are the Lion’s Family unit, let the spirit of services continue.
Finally, I have unfolded my plans and dream for this Great 404B District, your collective support to actualize the above stated program cannot be overstated. Please I anticipate your continued support and prayers as we step graciously to implement themes.
Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)