The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, gave the commendation on Thursday during the commissioning and handover of a reconstructed and renovated dining hall at Lagos State Junior Model College, Ojo.
Represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Tolani Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Hamzat expressed the appreciation of the Lagos State Government and its people for the humanitarian interventions of Lions Clubs International across the state.
He noted that the organisation has demonstrated integrity and consistency by fulfilling its commitment to undertake a similar project at the Junior Model College after successfully reconstructing the dining hall at the Senior Model College in 2025.
“The Lions Clubs International has shown that it is an organisation that keeps its promises. Having completed the dining hall project at the Senior Model College, it pledged to return for the Junior Model College, and today that promise has been fulfilled,” he said.
The Deputy Governor stressed that government alone could not meet the developmental needs of society, calling on more corporate organisations, philanthropists and development partners to support government efforts through strategic interventions.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with Lions Clubs International in promoting education, healthcare and other community development initiatives.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, House Committee on Planning and Budget of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Zaad Lukman Olumoh, applauded the numerous projects executed by Lions District 404B3 across Lagos State.
Olumoh disclosed that the State Assembly would begin considering the activities and contributions of charitable organisations such as Lions Clubs International in its planning and budgeting framework to encourage greater collaboration between government and the private sector.
He also acknowledged the organisation’s contributions to leadership development, describing himself as a beneficiary of Lions leadership training, which, according to him, has greatly enhanced his effectiveness in public service.
Earlier, the District Governor of Lions International District 404B3, Lion Adelaja Adeleye, appreciated the Lagos State Government for its unwavering support, particularly the prompt approval of the organisation’s proposals and letters of intent, which, he said, had made many of its projects possible.
Adeleye also thanked corporate organisations, individual donors and Lions Club members for their financial and moral support, noting that their contributions had enabled the organisation to positively impact communities across the state.
He equally commended the management of the Lagos State Model Colleges for embracing the Lions Clubs’ vision and appealed to students to safeguard the newly renovated facility against vandalism.
“As leaders of tomorrow, you must protect these legacies and strive to do even more for society in the future so that generations after you will also remember your contributions,” he advised.
The event also featured a free lunch sponsored by Lions Clubs International for all students of Lagos State Junior Model College.
Among dignitaries present were the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Tolani Jamiu Alli-Balogun; the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, represented by the Provost of Lagos State College of Health Technology, Prof. Raheem Olasupo; the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Hassan; and the Principal of Lagos State Junior Model College, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Olusola, alongside other senior education officials and Lions Club members.