The Lagos Egbeda Lions Club, District 404 B3, Nigeria, has been urged to make a shift from traditional charity to sustainable community empowerment, with a focus on technology, collaboration, and environmental sustainability.
The urge was made by Lion Eddy A. Ademosu, Ph.D who was keynote speaker during the investiture of the 25th President and officers of the Lagos Egbeda Lions Club, held in recently in Lagos with the theme ‘Revolutionizing Service: Embracing New Paradigms for Humanity’s Sake’
Ademosu in his speech explained that studies have revealed that old paradigms of humanitarian service focused on international organizations and government-led efforts, often with limited local involvement.
He noted that these approaches have several shortcomings, including a lack of sustained funding, which has hindered lasting impact. He cited examples of old paradigms, such as food aid that focuses on importing food rather than supporting local agriculture, and reliance on foreign experts instead of building local capacity.
The speaker criticized these paradigms for creating dependency, undermining local economies and self-sufficiency, and lacking accountability.
According to him, the digital revolution is a gift to every humanitarian. He noted that mobile health platforms can deliver eye screening to remote villages, while data analytics can predict where hunger will strike next, thereby enhancing humanitarian efforts.
“The digital revolution is a gift to every humanitarian. Mobile health platforms can deliver eye-screening to remote villages; blockchain can ensure transparent distribution of aid; data analytics can predict where hunger will strike next.”
He emphasized that no single organization or nation can solve complex challenges alone, stressing the need for collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and communities to expand impact locally and globally.
He shared success stories, including a partnership with a local tech startup in Edo State to launch a mobile eye-care unit, which provided free glasses to over 10,000 children within six months and now serves as a model for the region.
“In the heart of Edo State, a Lions Club partnered with a local tech startup to launch a mobile eye-care unit. Within six months, over 10,000 children received free glasses, and the startup’s app now serves as a model for the entire region.”
He urged people to embrace innovation, partnerships, and sustainability in their service delivery, stressing that the future of humanitarian work lies in empowering communities to become self-reliant while creating lasting social impact.