In a continuous demonstration of compassion and social responsibility, the Lions Club International has reached out to inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ado-Ekiti with the donation of essential relief materials and cash support, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian service and the welfare of vulnerable groups in society.
The donation, which formed part of the club’s ongoing humanitarian outreach, included soap, flip-flops, medical supplies, toiletries and other basic necessities, alongside a cash gift of ₦30,000 to support the smooth running of the correctional facility.
Leading the delegation, the Ekiti State Region Eleven Chairman of the Lions Club, Lion Otunba Ige-Olukayode, said the visit was carried out on behalf of the District Governor, Lion Eribake Oluwakemi, noting that all Lions Club chapters across the Ekiti axis participated in the initiative.
According to him, the gesture was aimed at giving inmates a sense of belonging and reminding them that they remain valued members of society despite their circumstances.
He stressed that the Lions Club is globally known for humanitarian service, adding that the needs of inmates informed the choice of items donated.
Otunba Ige-Olukayode described the donation as a token, assuring that the club plans to return to the facility to extend the intervention through a comprehensive medical outreach, including health screenings and related services.
He also used the opportunity to admonish the inmates to embrace positive change, urging them to see their present condition as a phase and prepare for a better life after regaining freedom.
Also speaking, the Past District Governor of District 404 B2, Lions Club, Professor Dayo Fagbohun, said the outreach was consistent with the core values of the Lions Club worldwide, which include caring for the hungry, supporting motherless babies’ homes and championing health-related causes.
Professor Fagbohun explained that the club has, over the years, played a leading role in eye care services such as vision screening, provision of eyeglasses, distribution of drugs, cataract surgeries and cornea transplants, describing the visit to the correctional centre as another expression of the club’s humanitarian mandate.
In her address, the President of Ekiti Splendour Lions Club, Mrs Olubusayo Abegunde, who is a medical caregiver, sensitised the inmates on the importance of timely health reporting.
She encouraged them to promptly seek medical attention through the appropriate channels whenever they feel unwell, while praying that they emerge as better and reformed individuals upon leaving the facility.
Responding on behalf of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Assistant Controller of Corrections and Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ado-Ekiti, Mr Olutope Amele, expressed profound appreciation to the Lions Club for what he described as a highly impactful intervention.
Mr Amele said the donated items were among the most needed in the facility and would significantly improve the health, well-being and general outlook of the inmates.
He conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche Ndid as well as staff and inmates of the centre.
He assured the donors that all items and cash support would be judiciously utilised for the benefit of the inmates and the effective administration of the facility.
Mr Amele, in his personal capacity as a member of the Lions Club, also donated an additional ₦20,000 to support the humanitarian gesture.
The event also featured an exhibition of products made by inmates trained in various vocational skills.
Mr Amele explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that inmates become productive and self-reliant members of society after serving their sentences, while calling for sustained support from the Lions Club, corporate bodies and philanthropic organisations.
In a show of encouragement, members of the Lions Club purchased a significant quantity of liquid soap produced by the inmates.
