Wale Jagun with Simisire Oluatobiloba and Olaleye Taiwo (Trainee Students)
-Residents, Oke -Eletu traditional head recount ordeals, thank humanitarian body
The Lions Club International, on Wednesday, put smiles on the faces of over 150 families in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), that were affected by flood in Oke -Eletu and adjoining communities with the distribution of relief materials to the affected families .
The international organization, which exists in 210 countries, through its humanitarian arm — the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), distributed relief materials – rice, beans, garri, cooking oil, tomato paste, toiletries, mosquito nets, pillows, mattresses, and bottled water, among other supplies, to the affected families of the devastating flood of August 4, 2025, at the Oke – Eletu Town Hall.
The relief gesture was facilitated by Mrs. Inasa Thomas Elizabeth Oluwatosin, Chairman of the New Generation CDA and Secretary of the Lagos Sapphire Lions Club District 404B4, who had made an appeal for assistance to the LCIF through the District Governor of District 404A3, Lion Mary Onu.
Lion Mary Onu, District Governor, District 404A3 Nigeria, explained that upon the requests for assistance, the club wrote to the LCIF to secure support for the victims.
She emphasised that the club would continue to intervene wherever there is need and support the people, especially those in dire needs.
Mrs Thomas Oluwatosin, the Chairman of the community that the flash flood mostly affected, explained the circumstances surrounding the intervention of the Lions Club International.
“On the 4th of August, 2025, there was a flash flood within my community, though, I later found out that it wasn’t only my community that was affected but because of the way the community is designed, there is a valley and the larger part of the community resides there, so, they were really hit by the flood.
“So when I went out that morning to assess the damages, it was huge and as a Lion, where there is a need, there is a lion. We got moved by the situations like this. So, from that moment, I felt the need to help.
In fact, my desire was not only to get help from Lions Club, but also from every NGO I can get, because I know there is nothing Lions can give them that will make up for their loss. So, I’m still looking for other NGOs that can come to their aid”, she said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the humanitarian organisation’s gesture recounted their experiences, while appreciating their community leader and the Lions Club International, for their interventions.
Mrs Sarah Obayangbor, who said that she could not fully explain the disaster, added that her father, who was about 99 years, was caught in the situation and sustained injuries, but he was rescued.
“It’s not something I can explain, but we thank God that during the flood, no life was lost. Although, my father sustained injuries as it was difficult for us to bring him out of the house.
“By the time we got to know the water had gotten to the bed level, it was difficult for him to come down from the bed. Thank God that there was rug in the bedroom, I don’t know what would have happened to him. He’s about 99 years of age. They had to carry him down to the next building”, she said.
Recounting the damage done to residents’ properties, she commended the roles played by the CDA Chairman whom.he said rose up to the occasion by providing the much – needed leadership during and after the crisis.
“A lot was damaged. In fact, as I speak to you, virtually all our electronics are down, including our generators, stabilizers, freezers. Aside from that, even some of our clothes got destroyed and our mattresses too. Then, two days after, the chairman in the person of Mrs Ade Inasa Thomas, went round the vicinity to check the area.
“Our CDA chairman acted like a man and she was going round the vicinity to find out those places that were affected. She later promised the community that she was going to invite the group she belongs to which is Lions Club International, and they came. They investigated so many of us. I was among those they investigated and they promised to come back”.
She expressed her surprise at the gesture of the club.
“To the glory of God, what I’m seeing this afternoon, I cannot express how happy we are.
“This has never happened before that a particular group would promise to meet the needs of the masses and they fulfilled their promise. I don’t know how to quantify it, but I want to thank the association that has done this, and my prayer is that God will continue to expand them and replenish their purses in Jesus name”, she prayed.
Another beneficiary, Princess Adetoun Ademola, also stated:
“It really affected us. It happened in the midnight, so my neighbors woke us up around 2am in the morning and by the time we got outside, we realized everywhere was flooded to the point that our sitting rooms were flooded and all the rooms in my building too. So, we were confused, wondering how we would escape from the flood but we thank God”
The traditional head of Oke – Eletu, High Chief Adeniyi Omotayo Ajayi, the Eletu of Oke – Eletu, expressing his appreciation said that the Lions Club responded to his people’s pain swiftly.
He described the concern as true love shown by the charity organization to is people.
“When the heavy rain struck Oke-Eletu and our people were left in pain, confusion, and loss, you did not turn your back. You did not wait to be asked twice. You came to us swiftly, with open hands and compassionate hearts, bringing relief materials that wiped tears from many eyes and restored hope to weary souls.
“What you have done is more than charity — it is love in action. You reminded us that even in our darkest hour, we are not alone. You stood by us like family, and for that, Oke-Eletu will forever remember the Lions Club of Nigeria.
“On behalf of my people Oke-Eletu and the entire benefactors of good gesture, I say thank you. May the same comfort you have given us return to you in countless folds. May your light of service never grow dim, and may God continue to bless and strengthen you to touch even more lives than this.
“From the depth of our hearts, Oke-Eletu says: Thank you, thank you, and thank you,” Eletu said.
