Lions District 404B5 Nigeria has formally commenced its first year of operations with the installation and public presentation of its pioneer District Governor, Lion Phina Origho PMJF NLCF, alongside the induction of officers who will serve in various leadership capacities during the 2026/2027 Lions service year.
The landmark ceremony took place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Queens Park Events, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme, “Behold the Power of Service.” The occasion also featured the launch of a ₦750 million fundraising campaign aimed at supporting major community service initiatives across the district.
The event attracted Past District Governors, Lions leaders, club presidents, members, guests, donors and other dignitaries from Nigeria and beyond, marking a significant milestone in the history of Lionism in the country.
District 404B5 was created following the restructuring of the former District 404B2, which was divided into Districts 404B5 and 404B6 as a result of membership growth and the district’s achievement of the required targets for expansion.
Speaking at the occasion, the pioneer District Governor, Lion Phina Origho PMJF NLCF, expressed appreciation to God, the leadership of Lions Clubs International and the Lions who had contributed to the growth of the organization over the years.
She described the creation of District 404B5 as an opportunity to bring Lions leadership closer to clubs and the communities they serve, with greater emphasis on member support, leadership development and responsiveness to local needs.
According to her, the new district is built around the principle of proximity ensuring that the ability to serve communities effectively is strengthened by having leadership closer to the people.
Food Bank: A Sustainable Response to Hunger
A major highlight of the new District Governor’s agenda is the establishment of a food bank, conceived as a sustainable response to food insecurity and wastage.
Explaining the rationale behind the project, Lion Phina noted that Nigeria’s food challenge is not simply a question of agricultural production. Despite the country’s significant production of crops such as cassava, yam and sorghum, considerable quantities of food are lost before reaching consumers because of inadequate storage, transportation, aggregation and distribution systems.
She explained that food wastage between the farm and the consumer creates a situation where food can be available in one location while people in another location struggle with hunger. The proposed food bank, she said, is intended to help address this gap by creating an organized system for collecting, storing and distributing food to people and communities in need.
Beyond providing immediate assistance, the initiative is designed to become a platform for collaboration between Lions and individuals, businesses, government institutions, foundations, faith-based organizations and other humanitarian bodies.
Lion Phina emphasized that hunger does not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, education or social standing.
For Lions, she said, the objective goes beyond distributing food; it is about developing systems that can make humanitarian intervention more structured, sustainable and impactful.
Service Is a Force
Also speaking at the event, the Multiple District Chairperson, Lion Adedipe Adekunle Adedoyin PMJF NLCF reflected on the significance of the district’s theme, “Behold the Power of Service.” He described service as a powerful force capable of restoring hope, strengthening communities and changing lives.
He noted that when Lions combine individual commitment with collective purpose, seemingly small acts of service can produce lasting results and extend the organisation’s humanitarian reach.
According to him, the theme represents a call for Lions to overcome barriers created by distance, division and doubt while embracing quality, dignity, passion and unity in the delivery of service.
He further described the vision for MD 404 as one in which the impact of Lions service can be experienced across communities and wards, with Lions continuing to challenge perceived limitations through collaboration and collective action.
IPDG Kemi Eribake PMJF NLCF Hands Over Leadership of the New District
The Immediate Past District Governor of the former District 404B2, Lion Olukemi Abimbola Eribake PMJF NLCF formally handed over the leadership of District 404B5 to Lion Phina Origho PMJF NLCF.
Reflecting on her tenure as District Governor during the 2025/2026 Lions service year, Lion Eribake described the responsibility as one of the most significant honours of her life.
She expressed appreciation to the district’s leaders, cabinet officers, region and zone chairpersons, club presidents, committee chairpersons and members whose contributions, resources and commitment helped advance the district’s service objectives.
She also identified the successful bifurcation of District 404B2 into Districts 404B5 and 404B6 as one of the major milestones of her administration.
According to her, the creation of the two districts demonstrates the growth, unity and determination of Lions in Nigeria to expand their humanitarian footprint.
While formally handing over to Lion Phina Origho, she expressed confidence in the new District Governor’s ability to lead, citing her experience and capacity for the responsibility before her.
During the event, the Pioneer Leo District President of Leo District 404B5, Leo Damilola Abisoye Philip, 100%P, NLEF, LAH was officially installed by the representative of the Multiple Leo District President and formally presented to the public by the District Governor.
Another significant highlight of the event was the installation of key District leaders by the District Governor. These included the GAT Team Coordinators, First and Second Vice District Governor, Region and Zone Chairpersons, Committee Chairpersons, and Club Presidents, who were officially inducted into their respective roles and entrusted with the responsibility of advancing the district’s vision and service objectives for the 2026–2027 Lions year.
The historic inauguration of District 404B5 therefore represents more than a change in administrative structure. It signals a new chapter in Lions service, with the district positioning itself to strengthen leadership, support clubs and expand its impact through sustainable community-focused initiatives.
With the launch of the ₦750 million fundraising campaign and the proposed food bank among its key priorities, District 404B5 is set to pursue its vision of turning the power of service into measurable and lasting impact across the communities it serves.
More pictures coming on the gallery link.. Watchout!!
