By Lekan Adejuwon
Barely two weeks after a successful hosting of the national annual conference of frontline Non-Governmental and philanthropic organization, Lions Club Ado Central District, the Club on Thursday February 29, extended its hand of benevolence to some vulnerable government retirees by giving them cash gifts to cushion the effect of economic hardship in the country.
The cash donation to the elderly citizens of the State was at the instance of the 68th birthday of one of the Club’s precious members, Deaconess Caroline Joke Martins-Ojo.
Held at, the Pensioners House Old Governor’s Office Ado Ekiti, the brief ceremony was used to draw attention to the numerous self-less activities of the international organization since it debuted in Ekiti many years ago after the creation of the state from the Old Ondo State.
Lion Kehinde Odebunmi who spoke on behalf of the District Governor Prof. Dayo Fagboun in a keynote address traced the history of Lions Club to its American founder, Melvin Jones about 107 years ago and has today grown to be the largest philanthropic organization with a membership strength of 1.4million people globally.
Odebunmi, who reeled out some of the laudable projects since its inception in Ekiti State said the international organization has been instrumental to the building of diabetics diagnostic center, Aramoko, Health Post at Secretariat, borehole projects at different locations, solar street lights at Aisegba Health Centre.
Others are scholarships to the physically challenged including a blind student who recently graduated as a lawyer from the Ekiti State University.
He used the occasion to solicit for more indigenes of the State to join the club noting that there was a urgent need to replace the present aging members with fresh youthful members for continuity.
Speaking on the checquered life history of the Deaconess Caroline Joke Martins-Ojo, Lion Taiwo Odebunmi popularly known as ‘Iya Jesu’ who was born on a leap year 29th of Aprill 1956
According to him, the Ijero Ekiti-born woman left the shores of Nigeria many years ago and relocated to the UK where she was confronted with debilitating health challenges as a result of wrong diagnosis from Nigeria but after rigorous treatment abroad she got healed and offered a job until she retired.
Deaconess Joke Martins-Ojo in appreciation of the mercy of God over her life as a widow of ten years donated her pension for the vulnerable retirees in Ekiti on behalf of the Lions Club, Ado Central District.
The high point of the memorable event was the presentation of the cash gifts to 20 beneficiaries who had served the state meritoriously.
Prayers were offered by the retired elderly citizens for the kind hearted donor and Lions Club for the public spirited gesture.
