Johnson Efunkomaya has assumed office as the District Governor, Lions International, District 404A3 (2026-2027 Lions Year) with a pledge to unite members across the district and strengthen humanitarian interventions.

Speaking after his investiture at a ceremony held at Musical Village, Ikorodu, Lagos, Efunkomaya said his emergence was the product of years of perseverance.

“This is a position that I have been looking up to for years. I remember the first time I contested was about 10 years ago. Since then, I have not relaxed,” he said.

He urged members to remain committed to their aspirations, noting that his experience had taught him that persistence was essential to achieving one’s goals.

Efunkomaya, who joined the Lions Club in 1985, said the organisation has remained a major platform for humanitarian service and pledged to make unity in service the cornerstone of his administration.

He said his administration would focus on providing modernised solar-powered borehole water systems as the district’s flagship project for the 2026-2027 Lions Year in different parts of the district, adding that two sites had already been identified and work was expected to commence before the end of the month.

On funding, Efunkomaya acknowledged the rising cost of materials, saying the N100 million target would be insufficient to execute all the proposed projects within one year.

He said: “There is no way we can complete all these projects in one year. So, we just provide N100 million to do what we can do, while whoever is taking over from me will continue from where I stop.

“Along this flagship initiative, we will remain steadfast in advancing the global causes of Lions International: preserving sight, fighting diabetes, supporting children with cancer, alleviating hunger, protecting our environment, empowering our youth and responding to humanitarian needs wherever they arise. But I cannot do this alone. No district governor succeeds alone” he said.

On youth participation, he said his administration would prioritise recruiting young people between 25 and 35 years through the Lions’ New Voices programme.

He said attracting younger members was critical to the survival of the 109-year-old organisation.

“If we don’t catch them young, the association might collapse,” he said.

He added that the initiative would help create a new generation of Lions committed to humanitarian service and community development.

Past International Director, Hamed Olugbenga Lawal, admonished Efunkomaya not to be complacent with the gains of the previous years as his achievements in office would be measured against the successes of his predecessors.

LCIF Constitutional Area Leader, CA8 (Africa) PDG (ESV) Dr. Taiwo Adewunmi commended Efunkomaya for accepting the call to serve.