It was, figuratively, a triumphant outing for beautiful Ms. Olufunke Abike Hamzat NLCF, on Saturday, 26th November 2022, at Adesba Hotel, Panseke, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where she was officially presented to the public as the 2nd President of Abeokuta Triumphant Lions Club.
Lion Hamzat who was visibly joyful as she beamed occasional smiles of excitement to all and sundry that came to rejoice with her, and other new officers of the club, took over the mantle of leadership of the globally recognized social club from a debonaire man of means, Lion Akeem Ajobiewe NLCF, who is fondly called Ajoo or Keem, by admirers.
The well-organised event which was anchored by Lion (Engr.) Adewale Ogundele as the Master of Ceremonies (MC), started with National Anthem and was immediately followed by Lions Club Anthem. Right after that, Lions International Code of Ethics was taken by Lion (Dr.) Oba Abimbola Aina-David, after which Lion Ayo Orija delivered the Lions International Purpose to the gathering.
Without further ado, the Chairman of the 2022/2023 Investiture Committee, Lion Akinlabi Mary Olubukola took her Welcome Address as already published in the event brochure. After the Welcome Address was well delivered in immaculate English, it was time for the cynosure of all eyes at the event, Lion Hamzat, to dance triumphantly into the hall. And as sonorous music blasted from the bandstand with pretty Princess Adeola and Her Amazing Band delivering the songs, Lion Hamzat in the company of fellow club members, and friends from sister clubs like Lion Joke Ojubanire-Kuti and Lion Mopelola Famuyiwa, danced energetically into the venue.
Keynote address by the Chairman of the Event, Lion Olatunji Jubreel PMJF, the Chairman of Dejavu Hotel and Suites, was the next thing on the agenda. Still, his representative, Lion (High Chief) Olusegun Olayinka Sanya, took the address on his behalf. After a short musical interlude from the music band of Princess Adeola who happens to be a member of the Abeokuta Triumphant Lions Club herself, the Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Ayo Odetoyinbo from the Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta, spoke on a subject he called: "Stress" and how to manage it from the angle of sociology of communication.
In her own address at the event, the District Governor of Lions Club (DG), Lion Kema Benedicta Ashibuogwu, made it known that the Lions Club started more than 100 years ago, and it is the largest service organization in the globe, as it is well represented in more than 200 countries of the world. She later pronounced Lion Hamzat as the CEO of the Abeokuta Triumphant Lions Club, and that she is equally a servant to the generality of the club in the next year of her tenure. She advised her to be the last to talk by listening to everyone first. And to also avoid cliques within the club.
After it was confirmed by the Club Secretary that, all the new officers of the club were duly elected, the new officers were tested on their knowledge of their various positions before they were all sworn in. And intended members of the club were also inducted as new members of the Abeokuta Triumphant Lions Club. That exercise was followed by group photographs, after which it was time to do Fund Raising for the club. And some of the people who donated money handsomely to the club included: Lion Jubreel and Lion (High Chief) Sanya who represented him.
Others were: Chief (Mrs.) Foluke Junaid, the Erelu Gbobaniyi of Gbagura, Mr. Adewale Dosunmu, the Chief Launcher who was represented by Mr. Yemi Amusa (Awikonko), Mr. Junaid M. Abolade who was represented by Lion Tunbosun Adeleye, and a host of other donors. There was a presentation of awards to some deserving personalities, before the official presentation of Lion Hamzat by the DG, Lion Ashibuogwu. And during the presentation, family members of Lion Hamzat were invited to the podium, and they were all asked if they would be giving her all the support she would need to perform, and they all answered in the affirmative.
The highest point of the event was when the exchange of Abeokuta Triumphant Lions Club's Emblem which had been hanging and dangling around the neck of Lion Ajobiewe, the outgoing President, was removed dramatically by him, and placed around the neck of Lion Hamzat, to signify the end of a tenure and the beginning of a new one. It was a scene to behold on the stage.
The event which had guests eating delicious food, and drinking choice drinks to their satisfaction, ended with a raffle draw during which those who bought raffle tickets won many great prizes.
By Saheed Ojubanire.
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