ANNUAL CONVENTION CHIEF GUEST IN KISUMU

Fifty seven years old International Director, Lion Alexis Vincent Gomes, an attorney by profession is the Chief Guest at the 11th Multiple District Annual Convention  at Kisumu, Kenya.

The ever-smiling senior Lion, has a charismatic attitude, alert in responding to quick answers and very fluent in French language. Although in East Africa,  English and Kiswahili is well spoken and understood but ID Alexis Gomes  speaks English with a special accent and "flavour" which retains the audience attentive and makes one  laugh when he wants you to laugh! In fact, he has the natural gift to mesmerize his audience.

Lion Alex Gomes was born in 1955 in Brazaville in the Congo. He is married and is proud father. At an early age he took interest in law and after graduating in this faculty, he started practicing law and ultimately became President of the Law Bar of Pointe Naire.

He is a Member of the Lions Club of Pointe Naire Eucalyptus in Congo. He went through all the club leadership posts and finally became President of the club and later District Governor. Lion Alex Gomes is a Melvin Jones Fellow and holds a post in the Steering Committee of African Lions. In July 2013 he was officially installed as International Director during the Annual International Convention at Hamburg in Germany.

One of his memorable event as a District Governor was when he presented the Melvin Jones Fellow shield to the (Late) fatherly statesman and a great freedom fighter of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Story & Pix by Abdul Hai

Chief Guest at the 11th MD Annual Convention at Kisumu, Kenya, International Director Lion Alexis Vincent Gomes. The three-day convention for five countries officially begins today and hundreds of Lions, guests and family members have already arrived at Kisumu. (Picture from archive).

PRESIDENT AWARDS LION DR. RAJNI KANABAR

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: His Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete bestowed on Lion Dr. Rajni Kanabar, an attractive symbolic medal which exemplified his (Dr. Kanabar) humanitarian service to the people.

The colourful ceremony which was televised and broadcast live country-wide, was held at Ikulu where dozens of other Recepients who included high placed Past Presidents of the Tanzania Government, Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, retired prominent civil and political leaders, religious leaders and professionals.

 The occasion was to observe the 50th Year of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar Governments which treaty was signed by (Late) President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere on behalf of Tanganyika Government and the President of Zanzibar Revolutionary Government (Late) Abeid Amani Karume on 26th April 1964.

The celebrations to mark the Union Day Anniversary, Golden Jubilee was held at National level and also in many countries where Tanzanians grouped together at Tanzania High Commissions and Embassies and in private gathering. 

The Recepient of the appreciation medal, Lion Dr. Rajni Kanabar is a cause of great pride and a great honour for the medical practioner who is Executive Director of Regency Medical Centre in Dar es Saalaam. The medical centre, in coordination with Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Host has, over the past several years, sent hundreds of people (especially children) with heart diseases for treatment to India.

The care, surgery and medical management had always been a great success story of almost 99%. Through Dr. Rajni Kanabar and Regency Medical Centre, hospitals in India 

Lion Dr. Rajni Kanabar, recepient of  a special award from the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete on the occasion to celebrate the 50th Year Anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar which was put into effect on 26th April 1964.

which specialize in cardiac cases, accept patients from Tanzania at subsidized rates and similarly, the India High Commission in Tanzania expedites vizas on priority basis.

Lions Clubs International, through its clubs and members continue to serve children with "heart disease problems" whose parents cannot afford to meet the exorbitant cost of  private treatment else where.

Lion Dr. Rajni Kanabar, over the past couple of days, has been receiving continuous  messages of congratulations from Lion Members, including top leaders of the organization. Dr. Kanabar hails from the commercial lake-side town of Mwanza, in Tanzania.

Story & Picture by Abdul Hai

ELECTIONS OF GOVERNORS IN KISUMU

ELECTIONS: “NO MORE FEVERISH”!

The free elections for high posts (Governors) in Sub District 411B is free of tension, frictions and competitions simply because there are no competing candidates to vie for the same posts this Lionistic Year 2014/2015. This is not to confirm that the eleven years history of the sub district never had “restless excitement” during elections, the upheavals and debates, the victorious and the defeated were  at one time or the other, part of clean democracy in the system.

However, it seems that this year the ballot boxes for electing District Governor, 1^st Vice District Governor and 2^nd Vice District Governor are likely to carry a majority “yes” for  the only candidates for the respective posts. Sometimes docile agreements are made between the candidates as to who “will step down” to allow the other to steer through smoothly. This is often done in a friendly atmosphere behind the curtain!

All said and done, after the elections, the incoming elected Governors will have almost eight weeks to do the “warm up” preparations, time enough to start implementing their respective roles.

The candidates after elections, in both the sub districts A & B will get the opportunity to brush-up their knowledge in a one-day seminar at the convention in Kisumu. The veteran Lions, commonly referred to as the “gurus” (an Asiatic title for a Sage or a wise man) will impart their knowledge to the aspiring leaders. 

There is a well known English saying: “no man is an island”. Governors, in particular District Governor cannot do every thing all by himself or herself, that is just next to impossible! The Governor has to depend on his Cabinet and District Officers and this is where he/she has to make a careful and rational choice of officers who can deliver the goods. This rational choice will mean appointing eighty or so officers out of 1250 members in sub district 411B.

District Governor for Tanzania and Uganda (Sub District 411B) will continue with his duties as the Governor until the end of the Lionistic Year 2013/2014 which is end of June when DG Elect, Lion Night Ndyarugahi (on background) takes over.

This Lionistic Year ie: 2014/2015 a new record will be set in Sub District 411B when a Lady District Governor will hold the reigns of the district for one year. She is none other than Lion Night Ndyarugahi, the 1^st VDG who will hopefully take-over from DG Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo. She is not at all new to the affairs of Lionism. She has been the First Lady of the Sub District when her Spouse Lion Polly Karimari Ndyarugahi was District Governor and this year he is Chairman of Multiple Council of District 411. She has had the opportunity to learn good many things when ever she accompanied her Spouse to Annual Conventions within East Africa or abroad or in international meetings. Her bio-data is rather longish!

A new record for the Sub District 411B to have a Lady District Governor Lion Night Ndyarugahi if she is elected for the post at Kisumu, Kenya during the 11th Multiple District Convention. She faces no challenger and is likely to have a smooth sail to clinch the title of District Governor Elect for the next eight weeks or so.

Lion Vennie Tinkumanya in the foreground is contesting for the post of 2nd Vice District Governor. It seems that he might be having a smooth journey to the post, in the absence of any competitor.

Her place as 1^st VDG is likely to be taken over

2nd Vice District Governor Lion Hayderali Gangji appears to be un-challenged in his contest for the 1st Vice District Governor post in Sub District 411B.

by Lion Hayderali Gangji who has no competitor when he steps up from his post of 2^nd VDG. He has been very active in several fields including club extensions and new memberships. His zeal and passion to conduct Lions projects is more than “power pack”. His Spouse Nimira Gangji is a great support to him and is a District Officer for women affairs.

Lion Vennie Tinkumanya,  from Lions Club of Kampala Central, the largest club (100 members)  with excellent track record of meaningful projects has vied for the post of 2^nd Vice District Governor. He is on record to have served as District Officer  and Cabinet for several years and can prove himself to be the right candidate for the post. His Spouse Lion Florense Tinkumanya is also a District Officer for Peace Poster Contest in Uganda. 

Story & Opinion by Abdul Hai

ALL LIONS TO KISUMU

All Lions from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Seychelles and Kenya are preparing to reach Kisumu (in Kenya) for the 11th Annual Multiple District Convention, an occasion which brings together hundreds of Lions from all the five countries under one umbrella. 

The District 411 is further split into two sub districts officially recognized as 411A currently spearheaded by District Governor Lion Teja S. Kalsi and Sub District 411B spearheaded by District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo. Both the Governors will separately hold their respective Cabinet Meetings, the final meetings  which will review the performances of Lions Clubs in the five countries, their successes and failures in meeting club or district targets.

This will also be the occasion when Governors make their decision in recognizing best clubs, best district officers and give out appreciation awards to deserving hard-working Lions. 

The three-day convention will also see the elections of top leaders, such as for the post of District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor and Second Vice District Governor for both the sub districts. The newly elected governors will be recognized with a descriptive "elect" word until the current ones finish their respective terms by the end of June. 

More Information: Dar es Salaam: Two separate teams of Lions are expected to leave Dar es Salaam for Kisumu on Wednesday early morning. A team of six people, District Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo and Lady Florense; PDG Lion Abdul Majid Khan and Lady Parveen; Cabinet Secretary Lion Kishore Simzia and Cabinet Treasurer Lion Mohamed Lalji will fly directly to Kisumu.

The other bigger contingent of 35 Lions will also fly out of Dar es Salaam for Mwanza via Kilimanjaro where they will be joined by other Lions from Moshi and Arusha. More Lions will join them at Mwanza where they will travel over land by air-condition bus to Kisumu. 

Some more info: A senior Lion estimated that there might be a total of sixty Lions from Tanzania. 

Story by Abdul Hai

NIMIRA WANTS WOMEN TO JOIN LIONS CLUBS

NIMIRA ADVOCATES WOMEN’S RIGHTS

District Officer for Women Membership Development & Participation, Lion Nimira Gangji has called for more women participation in Lionism and says: " in many ways women share a common language".

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: District Officer Lion Nimira Gangji advocated and emphasized  strongly to raise women’s role in society and give her (them)  equal chances and opportunities.

Addressing Lions from seven fraternity clubs in Dar es Salaam, including senior leaders District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo, PDG Lion Abdul Majid Khan and families of Lions Members, Lion Nimira emphasized that “women are untapped resources for membership in Lions Clubs”.

The Speaker is looking after the portfolio of  “women membership development  & participation” this Lionistic year. She lamented that according to the statistics, women Lions were only 23% of the total membership. The doors were wide open for dedicated and energetic women to serve their communities, she told her audience.

She called for a strong resolution and a determination (which I wish to reproduce verbatim): “ Let us determine today that we will in our life time see the last child ever to die from starvation or lose a son in a senseless war and let us ensure that our children are adequately sheltered and clothed.”

Information: United Nations is focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment not only as human rights, but also to achieve the Millenium Development goals and sustainable developments.

Lion Nimira Gangji told the gathering that recently Lions Club of Pwani inducted 6 women Lions, Lions Club of Dar es Salaam City 2, Host Club 1 and Amani Club 2. She was encouraged to see the trend of membership development and called on Lions (male) to bring in their spouses to join the clubs.

She concluded: “I have found that in many ways women share a common language, no matter what our culture or our background is. We can understand each other and together we can make the difference.”

Story & Pics by Abdul Hai

"KARIBUNI"...NEW LIONS MEMBERS

Lion Chirnne Ascot proudly holds the document which certifies her to be called a LION. On the right is Governor Wilson Ndesanjo and on the left assisting to distribute the certificate is Cabinet Secretary Lion Kishore Simzia.

  Christopher Chinyala proudly holds the document which certifies him to be known as Lion Christopher Chinyala. The induction was conducted by Governor Wilson Ndesanjo and in the middle is PDG/PMCC Lion Abdul Majid Khan. Lion Christopher is Trainer of Lions Quest Programme and has conducted more than fifteen workshops for 450 teachers in Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Twelve new Lions Members were inducted into the den of Lions by Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo to mark the World Induction Day in Dar es Salaam on last Wednesday night. The twelve members belong to seven fraternity Lions clubs in Dar es Salaam.

Some of the twelve new Lion Members being inducted by the District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo during the World Induction Day in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday night.

LIONS IN THE NATIONAL IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN

LIONS IN NATION-WIDE IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN

Measles and Rubella simply described as an acute, contagious viral disease which if  un-checked with precautionary immunization treatment will likely cause multiple deaths. In Sub District 411B, Uganda has already undergone immunization procedure and  will similarly have the national immunization week against Measles and Rubella in September this year.

The necessary ground work by  Tanzania’s Ministry of Health and Social Works has been afoot for quite some time and this time, Lions Clubs will be involved in the advocacy and campaign of this killer disease.

Lions Clubs International has sent a lone delegate Mr. Benjamin Futransky, Humanitarian Manager in the LCIF for the necessary  consultation with Tanzania Government Officials and Senior Lions Members in the Measles/Rubella Immunisation Campaign in Tanzania. 

More info: Mr. Futransky was expected to leave Dar es Salaam on Friday 25^th April. He was happy about his three-day stay in Dar es Salaam despite the fact that every day was a busy day. “The consultations were fruitful and am happy,” he told the Writer of this Blog. 

In Dar es Salaam, two meetings were held as a warm-up exercise which will see Lions Clubs actively involved in the national campaign exercise of measles and rubella immunization project. On Wednesday night, Mr.  Futransky told the seven Lions Clubs in Dar es Salaam to start planning for radio talks, TV talk shows, how to involve key personalities in the campaign.

The Coordinator of  Mr. Benjamin’s visit to Tanzania, PDG/PMCC Lion Abdul Majid Khan and District Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo and other senior Lions have been busy for the last three days organizing and attending the meetings for the campaign. 

A cross-section of the people who attended the Dar es salaam Fraternity Lions Multiple Activities which included World Induction Day, World Lunch Relay, Measles and Rubella Campaign, April Family & Friends Month.

Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo presenting his Friendship Banner to the Manager of Humanitarian Section of the LCIF Mr. Benjamin Futransky who was the main guest at the Measles and Rubella Campaign for Lions Clubs in Dar es Salaam.

The multiple activities programme at Bawarchi Restaurant, was ably conducted by 2^nd Vice District Governor Lion Hayderali Gangji who took exactly two hours to condense four events put

Twelve New Lion Members were inducted by Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo on Wednesday night to mark the World Induction Day.

together under one roof. The programme included key note address by Governor Wilson Ndesanjo, introduction of Guest of Honour Mr. Benjamin Futransky by PDG Lion A.M. Khan. The main events were World Lunch Relay (Key Note address by Lion Rizwan Qadri); World Induction Day ( 12 new members inducted by the Governor); Measles/Rubella Campaign By Mr. Benjamin Futransky; April Family/Friends Month by Lion Nimira Gangji.

Story & Pics by Abdul Hai