The Lions Clubs International may have caught a big fish with the induction of His Majesty, King (Dr.) Dandeson Douglas Jaja, JP, JekiV, Treaty King, Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Natural Rulers and Amanyanabo/Natural ruler of Opobo Kingdom, into its fold.
In a brief but colourful ceremony which took place at Council’s Secretariat, Isaac Boro Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt on Monday, delegations of Lions Clubs from Rivers, Bayelsa and Abuja regions performed the induction on the Opobo monarch and capped the ceremony with decoration of the king with the Lions crest, which was pinned on his breast pocket.
Welcoming the Opobo monarch into the organization, the leader of the delegation and District Governor, 404 A2, Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi, described King Jaja as an exceptional leader whose attributes clearly defined the values upheld by the Lions Club.
The District Governor said the Lions are elated to admit the monarch into its fold, describing him as a like mind who is working tirelessly for the health and well-being of the society.
She expressed confidence that his membership of Lions Club would add more zest to the activities of the organization, even as she noted that the history of Lions Club in Nigeria would not be written without celebrating the input of Opobo sons and daughters.
Reeling out the vision and mission of the organization, Odu-Okpeseyi said the Lions focuses on the wellbeing of humanity such as improving sight, ensuring a healthy environment, relieving hunger, preventing cancer and others.
She seized the occasion to intimate the King of the commissioning of a jetty in Opobo on Saturday, adding that the jetty was built by Abuja Metropolitan Lions Club to ease transportation in the area.
The District Governor also disclosed that her organization would be in Opobo at the weekend for free medical diagnosis. The free tests would cover areas such as eye tests, checks and treatments for diabetes and cancer.
While commending King Jaja for honouring their visit despite the short notice, she urged him to ensure that a build is constructed to link Opobo Town to the hinterland, as according to him, some persons have phobia for water, hence the need to commute on vehicles.
In his response, the Amanyanabo of Opobo expressed thanks to the Lions Club for finding him worthy of membership, while assuring to do his best and add value to the reputable organization.
