Chief Ayobola Samuel becomes District Governor of Lions Club International, District 404 B2

The Kwara State Government has announced its intention to create the country’s next generation of entrepreneurs particularly among youths in the state.

The state governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed who made the announcement during the investiture and presentation ceremony of Chief Ayobola Samuel as the new Century District Governor of Lions Club International, District 404 B2, said the government as part of efforts to spur economic development, the government had set up credit support scheme.

The scheme according to the governor includes, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Scheme which offers single digit interest rates to entrepreneurs.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government(SSG) , Alhaji Isiaka Gold, said currently, over 50,000 businesses had benefitted from the programme.

He also disclosed that about N2billion had been made available to entrepreneurs in the state.

He further explained that N 500 million had been allocated to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Scheme in the 2017 budget to accelerate socio-economic growth of the state.

The governor therefore, praised the Club for its social intervention in some communities in the state, stressing that its health care programme connects with his administration’s objectives and goals for the people of the state.

“As a government, we are committed to the well-being of the people. We have embarked on various initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery to Kwarans especially at the grassroots level.

“In order to ensure access to affordable and quality healthcare, reduce exclusion and social disparities in healthcare coverage.

“Additionally, through our award winning Community Health Insurance Scheme(CHIS) , over 600,000 rural dwellers have been provided access to premium health services.

“The scheme has been adjudged as one of the most successful by the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD)”.

Dr Ahmed disclosed that plans were on the way to expand the scheme across the state under the amended Kwara State Health Insurance Law.

The governor also assured that the state government is open to partnership with any International organisation and Non-Governmental organisation to find innovative ways to develop the state especially at the grassroots level.

He also assured Kwarans that his administration would continue to put in place policies and initiatives that would improve the well-being of citizens of the state.

Governor Ahmed enjoined other Non-Governmental Organisations to emulate the Lions Club and impact positively on the lives of the people.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali (SAN) advocated good governance with corresponding good citizenry for the growth of the country.

Mallam Ola-Olu Ali called on Nigerians to work in unison irrespective of differences for national cohesion.

The legal luminary also tasked the Club to encourage efficiency and high ethical standards at all times.

In his address, the new Century District Governor of Lions Club International, District 404 B2, Chief Ayobola Samuel assured that his tenure would focus more on
health and environmental protection services.

Chief Samuel said he is mindful of the task ahead and encouraged members to continue to work towards providing humanitarian services to Nigerians.