By Uche Kalu
The Lions Clubs International District 404A2 Nigeria, Region 11, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people through education, humanitarian services and community-based interventions.
The organisation demonstrated this commitment during its visit to Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka South LGA, Anambra State, to commemorate World Literacy Day, where it highlighted the importance of education and direct community support.
The Chairperson of the District, Lion Kenneth Nnamani, said the organisation remained committed to identifying people and communities with needs and providing practical support to improve their wellbeing. He explained that the World Literacy Day programme was initially scheduled for September 8 but was postponed because schools had not resumed.
Nnamani further explained that Lions Clubs International was founded on the principle of serving people directly, rather than allowing those in need to depend on leftovers from society. He recalled the organisation's long-standing commitment to sight-related interventions, particularly following the 1921 appeal by Helen Keller to the Lions to assist people living with blindness.
He urged the students to take reading and writing seriously, describing education as a major factor in personal development and societal progress. He also emphasised the importance of teachers and trainers in shaping future generations.
The Principal of Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Lady Eucharia Osibe, expressed appreciation to the Lions Club for choosing the school for the programme, saying she was overwhelmed by the gesture.
Osibe encouraged the organisation to sustain its engagement with the school and pledged the commitment of the management to supporting the students’ development. She expressed confidence that the beneficiaries would make the donors proud through their academic pursuits.
The immediate past Region 9 Chairperson, Lion Vivian Chioma Agubosim, recalled that Region 9 was divided into Regions 10 and 11 as a result of the growth and expansion of Lions Clubs activities in the Southeast. She called on members and successors to preserve the organisation’s legacy and continue promoting its values of service to humanity.
The President of Awka Smithland Lions Club International, Lion Jane Dibor, said the initiative of the visit was aimed at equipping students with writing materials, particularly those who could not afford them.
Also speaking, Chairperson Onitsha Ado Central Lions Club, Lion Vivian Obianuju Egbuchie, said the project was the first regional project of the current Lionistic year. She said the school was selected because of its location at the geographical centre of Region 11, making it accessible to Lions members from across the region, which covers Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi, among other areas.
Egbuchie said the club had undertaken several humanitarian projects, including hospital visits, distribution of materials to health facilities, feeding programmes and other community interventions.
Lion Agbo Emmanuel Amaechi said the club distributed study materials to encourage students and make them feel supported. He noted that literacy activities formed part of the organisation’s regular community outreach and urged the students to make proper use of their time in school.
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Responding on behalf of the students, Isiokwe Faith and Emmanuel Godspower thanked the Lions Club for its benevolence and promised to remain committed to their studies.
In a related development, Lions Clubs International held its regional meeting, which featured the official handover of leadership and the emergence of a new regional structure.
The outgoing Chairperson of Region 9, Lion Vivian Chioma Agubosim, in her valedictory speech, described her tenure as a tremendous honour and expressed gratitude to members for their unity, commitment and faithfulness.
She said Region 9 undertook several humanitarian initiatives during the period, reaching more than 5,000 people across different communities, while clubs continued to grow and remain active despite challenges.
Agubosim highlighted participation in the 8th Global Course of Lions Clubs International, alongside projects covering vision, hunger relief, diabetes awareness, childhood cancer, environmental protection, youth development, humanitarian services and disaster relief.
She also called on leaders to establish channels and norms for transparent communication and respectful interaction among members, saying such measures would strengthen collaboration and trust.
The meeting further marked the creation of Region 11 from the former Region 9 and the assumption of office by Lion Kenneth Nnamani MJF LNCF as its pioneer Chairperson for the 2026/2027 Lions year.
In his acceptance speech, Nnamani described the creation of Region 11 as a historic milestone and an opportunity to deepen the organisation's community impact.
He said the new region brings together Awka Smith Land Lions Club, Onitsha Ado Central Lions Club, Neni Centinal Lions Club, Enugu Metropolitan Lions Club and Ebonyi Golden Lions Club, covering communities across Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.
Nnamani said his administration would be driven by the principles of unity, visibility and synergy, assuring members that his office would operate as a partner to clubs and remain open to their concerns and ideas. He said the administration would focus on sharing resources, supporting clubs, celebrating collective achievements and ensuring that every club was adequately empowered to serve its community.
According to him, the new region has a clear mandate to grow membership, establish new clubs, improve the quality of service projects and ensure that the Lions' motto, “We Serve,” is reflected in tangible interventions for needy and underprivileged people.
Nnamani expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and called on Lions across the region to contribute their ideas, passion and dedication towards building Region 11 into a model of efficiency, brotherhood and transformative service.
The event featured the official handover of leadership to the new chairperson, presentation of awards to deserving club members, and other activities.