The newly installed District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 404A2, Lion Engr. Edward Aigbedion, has unveiled plans to tackle blindness, youth unemployment, diabetes and childhood cancer as the organisation’s major humanitarian priorities for the new service year.

Aigbedion disclosed this on Thursday in Port Harcourt while briefing journalists ahead of the Club’s three day activities and his formal presentation as District Governor on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

He said the administration would move beyond ceremonial activities to implement projects capable of directly improving the lives of people in underserved communities.

One of the major projects is the planned development of an eye hospital in Igbokwe, Anambra State, which Aigbedion said would be supported through a partnership with another Lions club in Germany.

He said the project was particularly important to him because of the impact of preventable and treatable blindness in people’s lives.

“You only need to just close your eyes in a minute and you’ll see what will happen. It’s darkness, total darkness,” Aigbedion said, stressing the need to make eye-care services accessible to people who cannot afford treatment.

In Rivers State, the Lions plan to take a different approach by providing start-up equipment to graduates of the state skills acquisition centre.

Aigbedion said beneficiaries trained in tailoring would receive sewing machines, while those trained in auto mechanics would be provided with complete toolboxes. Similar support, he said, would be extended to graduates in other vocational fields, including plumbing.

He explained that the initiative was designed to help young people translate vocational training into actual livelihoods, while reducing unemployment and youth restiveness.

He pointed out that Childhood cancer is the fourth priority, with the organisation planning to partner with health institutions on support and early detection of paediatric cancer.

Aigbedion said the four priorities were selected from the organisation’s broader humanitarian areas, which include vision, childhood cancer, hunger, diabetes, disaster relief, youth empowerment, mental health and the environment.

Also, the past District Governor, Lion Lynda Odu-Okpesegi, said the organisation had renovated facilities at the School of Special Needs in Abara Road, including a classroom and toilet facilities, and also renovated a school and provided seats at different schools.

She said Lions had also provided relief materials and medical outreach to communities affected by flooding in Bayelsa State, including drugs, food and other essential materials.

According to her, Lions have also undertaken regular eye checks and partnered with hospitals in Bonny and Port Harcourt to support people requiring eye-care services.

Odu-Okpesegi said the organisation’s interventions extend beyond healthcare to environmental and educational projects, including tree planting in parts of Port Harcourt and back-to-school initiatives that provide learning materials to children.

Meanwhile, the District Governor’s formal presentation in Port Harcourt will be preceded by a series of activities beginning with a Hospitality Night on Thursday for Lions arriving from across the district.

Officers’ training and capacity building will hold on Friday, while Saturday will feature a breakfast meeting with club presidents and a cabinet meeting to set the agenda for the new service year.

The main presentation ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday and is expected to also serve as a fundraising platform for the planned humanitarian projects.

Aigbedion said his administration would be guided by the principle of WIRED for Quality Service — Welfare, Integrity, Respect, Excellence and Discipline.

He appealed to government, corporate organisations, development partners and members of the public to support the Lions in delivering the planned interventions.

According to him, the presentation is not simply about unveiling a new District Governor, but about mobilising people and resources for another year of humanitarian service.