Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Friday said his administration is ready to partner with an international service organisation, the Lions Club, in checking paediatric cancer, hunger, diabetes, vision impairment and protection of environment among others.
He gave the assurance while playing host to members of the Lions Club District 404-B1 Nigeria, covering Lagos, Oyo and Ogun State who were on a courtesy call to his Agodi Government office, Ibadan.
The delegates, led by the District Governor, Mr Lekan Babalola were on the visit to solicit the support of the government in actualizing its vision and also invite the governor to the induction as the new District Governor at an event slated for today (Saturday).
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Dr Gbade Ojo, Governor Ajimobi said, “all over the world, there is no society or any human collectivity, where government alone can provide everything that we want. So, I can assure you that the Oyo State Government will willingly partner with the Lions Club. One thing that marks out the developed society with the developing ones like ours is the fact that the rich amongst us are not sufficiently giving back to the society. It is either they are evading tax, or they don’t have the required milk of human kindness.
“When you look at foundations in Europe and America like Ford Foundation and several others, they have gone far in taking care of people. Also, a number of former American presidents have global foundations, through which they either combat malaria, guinea worm or other health conditions. So, the rich among us need to do more people, either by joining the Lions Club, or whatever other ways. If they join such organizations, they will donate more in taking care of the society.
“No doubt, at all levels of government, we need more influence and appearances of non-state actors. While the society is hungry for infrastructural provisions, which the government alone cannot provide, non-state actors are supposed to fill that gap so that we can live in a better society.”
Earlier in his remarks, the new District Governor, Babalola, said the club was on the visit to solicit government’s support for its project such as an outreach to at least 10,000 people living with diabetes, free cataract surgery and distribution of eyeglasses, cornea transplant, eradication of hunger and provision of food, protection of environment, reduction of paediatric cancer among others.
He thanked the government for pass support in various areas of interventions embarked upon by the international organization, noting that, the club has been growing in leaps and bounds because it has continued to give back to those in need, especially the poor and less privileged in the society.