Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has assured that the State Government is willing to enhance the existing partnership with the Lions Club International to sustain various initiatives being witnessed in the state.
The Deputy Governor gave this assurance today while receiving the International President of the Lions Club International, Dr. Patti Hill on a courtesy visit in his office at the Round-House, Alausa-Ikeja.
Dr. Hamzat who received the President and her entourage on behalf of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, noted that the state is willing to boost the existing partnership noting that “the club donates its time, and resources to help various communities, so basically the little we can do is to give them support and that can be taken for granted and the members are men and women of integrity and that is what Lagos stands for.”
The Deputy Governor reaffirmed that the club’s partnership request can be taken for granted as he is aware of the various partnerships existing between the club and the state government with different initiatives in the local communities, Youth Development Initiatives and Mentoring at the Lagos State University.
Speaking further, Hamzat stated that the grant initiative be extended to the local alliance to enhance and improve ongoing initiatives, noting that the government cannot do it alone. “As such, partnership is something the government cherishes, adding that in various parts of the world organizations such as this take major parts of development and as such, Nigeria cannot be different and this is something we are willing to do”.
Earlier in her remarks, the International President of Lions Club International, Dr. Patti Hill solicited for enhanced partnership between the state government and the Club, urging the government to support the club whenever opportunity occurs.
She appreciated the state government for the current alliance which has facilitated a smooth collaboration and seamless execution of their services. She however charged the government to look with an open mind for future partners.
Hill noted that since her arrival in the state, she has seen the collaboration between the Lions Club and the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. “I have seen the lion’s village where young people are given the opportunity to really become the future citizens we want them to be amongst other initiatives developed by the alliance in partnership with government and other institutes” she said.
Hill made it known that “the international association offers grants to countries to partner with hospitals, schools and government agencies to leverage the dollars we want to invest in health, humanitarian work and in the future”, as the International President, she travels around to 206 countries, to look at the local alliances; to address their needs locally and seek the opportunities to work together with governments and partner with civil societies to ensure that the club is building a better world. She therefore commended the State Government for their support and partnership.
The highlight of the courtesy visit was the decoration of the Deputy Governor as an Honourary member of the Lions Club International.
