Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 49,000 clubs. Our association is made up of clubs with selfless individuals who bring hands and hearts in making positive impact in the communities we serve in nearly every country on earth. Our Lions and Leos help hundreds of millions of people every year, actively serving their communities in over 200 countries and geographic areas around the world..
LIONISM IN NIGERIA
Lionism was birthed in Nigeria following the efforts of Lion Rene Loiuseau who initiated the formation of the first Lions Club in Nigeria in 1963. This efforts culminated in the charter of the then Lagos Lions Club on 21st December, 1964. From a humble beginning of 24 members in one club, the then Lagos Lions Club, now The Lagos Doyen Lions Club, we now have about 9,666 members in 400 clubs. From being part of the then District 403, we now have Multiple District 404, Nigeria, with six distinct districts.
As the only Club in the country, the Lagos (Doyen) Lions Club was grouped along with others, mainly Francophone Countries in West Africa, into what was then District 403A. Unhappy with this grouping, especially as the Congress was conducted in French with inadequate simultaneous translation facilities and also the monopoly of District Offices by the French speaking countries, concerted efforts were made at home by the Doyen Club to start off new clubs. This led to the Charter of several Clubs viz: Apapa, Yaba, Ikeja, Benin etc. These new Clubs in turn started sponsorship of other Clubs and with the efforts of several Lions, most prominent of whom were Doyen Akintola Williams, Lions Harry Knoop, Jaap Spiering, Olubunmi Odebiyi, Sam Alamutu, MON, Chief Layi Balogun, Ayo Rosiji, Fola Odufuye, Labi Silva, Chief Gbadamosi, etc. A sizeable member of clubs was chartered in several parts of the country. Having therefore formed enough clubs to constitute a new District, the International Office at Oakbrook, U.S. granted Nigeria a District Status name District 404 in April 1984. This was the the result of the “coup on Nigeria Airways” flight from Doulda, Cameroon in 1983 after Lion leaders in Nigeria attended a Lions Club Conference and provision wasn’t made for English speaking participants by the then leadership of District 403A. The new District had Lion Harry Knoop as the first District Governor. On board with him was Lion Sam Alamutu as the Lieutenant Governor, Lion Fola Odufuye as the Disrtict Cabinet Secretary while Lion (Chief) L. Gbadamosi served as the District Cabinet Treasurer.
MULTIPLE DISTRICT 404, NIGERIA
By 2004, membership has grown tremendously and following an avalanche of leaders across Nigeria, steps were taken that resulted in granting of a multiple district status. This followed the failed attempt of 2001. With this, Princess Adetope Tychus became the first Multiple District Council Chairperson in 2005/2006. She was followed by others as Council Chairpersons: AVM Anthony Okpere, Dr. Teslim Sanusi, Engr. Abiola, Sir William Park, Dr. Yinka Griffin, Engr. Jaiyeola Balogun, Oqua Itu, and currently PDG Ano Anyanwu.
The multiple district status has impacted positively on membership drive as the two districts grew rapidly. Following deliberate and concerted efforts, District 404A started the process of redistricting in 2012 and got redistricted into 404A1 and A2 in 2013. District 404B applied for redistricting into 404B1 and B2 in 2013 in what became a record breaking accomplishment as the step to achieve that were started and completed within a period of four months by late DG Yinka Bolarinwa and effectively completed by PDG Gbolagade Adebisi. That was indeed phenomenon.
Also at the end of 2022/2023 service year, District 404A1 and District 404B1 under the leadership of DG Ano Anyanwu and DG Kema Ashibuogwu bifurcated into District 404B3, District 404B4, District 404A3 and District 404A4 respectively.
It is worthy to note that the giant stride made by Nigerian Lions has opened tremendous Leadership door at the international level as MD 404 has produced two International Director namely PID HOB Lawal and ID Adetope Tychus whose 2 years tenure started in July 1, 2024.
