20 Years After Conception: Lions Clubs build eye centre in 7 months, hand over to Delta Government

20 years after the idea was mooted by the Management of Delta State Government owned Central Hospital, Warri, Lions Clubs International, District 404A1, with the support of Lions Clubs International Foundation, LCIF, has successfully built a state-of-the-art Eye Centre at Central Hospital, Warri in seven months and handed over to Delta State Government.

Front View of the Lions Clubs International Distrcit 404A1, Eye Centre, Central Hospital, Warri

Exclusive Video Clip of the Commissioning

Fresh Angle International can authoritatively report that the District Governor, Lions Clubs International, District 404A1, Lion Fortune Wagbatsoma, in an address Wednesday June 22, shortly before handing over the medical facility at Central Hospital, Warri, explained: “The centre has been rebuilt and equipped through the kind support of the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), Chicago.

“This facility is a culmination of a decade long relationship between our association and the management of the hospital. In that time, we have collaborated and sponsored uncountable free eye surgeries and supported the eye clinic, with donation of various equipment and consumables to expand their impact and service.

Dr. Mordi Ononye (3^rd left) Lion Fortune Wagbatsoma (2^nd right) Dr. Omu Patrick (right) & others

“The new facility sits on two floors and consists of consulting rooms, operating theatres, treatment rooms, patient and staff lounge among other spaces. It is equipped with state-of-the-art eye diagnostics, surgery and treatment machines. The project also provides for the training of the existing personnel. The end result of this gift, will be hitch free eye care for the people of Warri and its environs, within a conducive and friendly environment.

“Lions Club International, has recently exceeded our goal of serving 275 million vulnerable and less privileged persons annually. Our grant making arm, LCIF, has extended over US$1.1 billion in humanitarian assistance grants globally and the eye centre project is one of such projects.

Photo-Grid of some of the medical equipment in the Eye Centre. Photo Credit: Loveth Chineye Chukwuma

“Our International office and district administration also recognize the immense support this project and indeed our other activities have enjoyed from the government and shall use the occasion of this project commissioning, to once again appreciate the Delta State Government ably led by our Ekwueme Himself, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for the conducive environment you created to make service to humanity worth the while.

“We deeply appreciate the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. (Mrs.) F. Omoraka for your support, especially during the signing of the MoU, the Medical Director CHW, Dr. Patrick Omu for creating a friendly environment for this project to thrive smoothly, Dr. Paul Okubor for believing in the Lions Club International and of course our great supporters, friend of the needy, a gift to eye care in Nigeria and a beautiful woman of valor, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Ejegi, HOD Ophthalmology, who was there from the very beginning”.

Lion Wagbatsoma (right) conducting Dr. Mordi round the Eye Centre

In his opening remarks, the Project Chairperson, Lion (Dr.) Louis Esenwa, disclosed that the ground breaking ceremony of the medical edifice, “took place in this very spot in November, 2021, with a promise to deliver this project in record time. The project is in three parts, namely the construction/renovation of the eye clinic building and its equipment with state-of-the-art facilities, training/updating of the clinic professional staff and conduction of outreaches over a period of three years. Today, we are witnessing the delivery of the first and most extensive part of the project in record time”.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in a message through the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, stated: “Lions Clubs, we are proud of you, because of your deep sense of responsibility to the society. Within seven months, you were able to complete this project, it is most commendable. You keep to your words. Your collaboration with the hospital management, speaks a lot. We will put this project into the best of use”.

A Cross Section of some members of Lions Clubs International, District 404A1, Nigeria

The Chief Medical Director, Central Hospital, Warri, Dr. Omu Patrick, gave a detailed background of the project and expressed happiness that it was completed in record time, assuring that management of the hospital, will protect and use the project judiciously, even as the HOD Ophthalmology of the Hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Ejegi, described the project as one of its kind in the whole of Delta State.

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, was represented at the ceremony by the Warri South Council Supervisor for Health, Mr. Sunny Bodor.

×