VICTORY FOR THE SOLE CANDIDATES!

Kisumu, Kenya: It was landslide victory, 97% of "yes votes" for all the three un-opposed candidates for the post of District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd Vice District Governor during the Elections at the 11th Multiple District Annual Convention at Kisumu in Kenya. The three Governors Elect will officially take-up their duties effective 1st July for the coming twelve months.

It was all jubilation and merry-making when the results were officially announced in front of the voters, all the registered delegates from Tanzania and Uganda under Sub District 411B. The current District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo will continue to exercise his authority as the Governor in charge for the coming two months. 

The incoming Governor Elect, Lion Night Ndyarugahi has set a new record by being the first Lady to hold the reign of power of the Governor in the ten years history of Sub District 411B. Many years ago when her husband Lion Polly Karimari Ndyarugahi was exercising his power as District Governor, Lion Night Ndyarugahi was equally given the honour to be addressed as First Lady of the Sub District. 

The Victorious 2nd Vice District Governor Lion Vennie Tinkumanya (2nd right) with DG Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo (1st left), next to him is Lion Florense Tinkumanya, in the centre Region Chairperson Lion Eleanor Bageine and extreme right First Lady Florense Ndesanjo. All seem to be in a jolly mood of celebration! (sorry for out of focus picture).

As at now, PDG Polly K. Ndyarugahi is Chairman of the Multiple Council of District 411. 

Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo congratulating the incoming District Governor Elect Lion Night Ndyarugahi as soon as she was announced as the next Governor. (apology for out of focus foto)

2nd Vice District Governor Lion Hyderali Gangji has also secured a comfortable 97% to hold the post of 1st Vice District Governor. Lion Vennie Tinkumanya, a seasoned Lion with lots of experience in various fields has been elected as 2nd Vice District Governor.

All the elected Governors in both the sub districts will undergo a brush up of their knowledge of Lionism and in particular their respective duties as Governors. The seminar will be on Sunday just before their departure to their respective stations.

Story by Abdul Hai

Information from the Convention Centre

THE LAST CABINET MEETING

Chief Guest, International Director Lion Alexis V. Gomes performing the opening ceremony of the Cabinet Meeting of Sub District 411B at Kisumu, Kenya.

Delegates listening attentively to Speakers at the 3rd and Final Cabinet Meeting of Sub District 411B.

Kisumu, Kenya: Convention Chief Guest, International Director Alexis Vincent Gomes was obviously sentimental when he officially announced the opening ceremony of the 3rd and Final Cabinet Meeting of the Sub District 411B under Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo. Exactly ninety days ago in Dar es Salaam, he was Chief Guest during the 2nd Cabinet Meeting and every programme turned out to be at its best.

He was therefore visibly emotional and said he was very please to be with the same  Lions once again. In Dar es Salaam he inducted 22 new members and in Kisumu he repeated his call to bring in not less than 4,000 new members so as to get a Constitutional Area for Africa.

He said that one easy way to get good quality member is to bring your son or daughter to your own clubs. He further advised African Lions to build an African White House as a monument for Lions.

Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo welcomed the Chief Guest of the 11th MD Annual Convention to the Cabinet Meeting of the Sub District 411B.

By the time this story was being published, our Correspondent Lion Rizwan Qadri sent in a message that the Cabinet Secretary Lion Kishore Simzia and Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo were giving a final touch-up of  the presentation of Gifts, Awards and trophies to the best and deserving Lions and Clubs of Tanzania and Uganda. 

This event is the time when the Governor assisted by his Cabinet Secretary spells out his appreciation for those who worked and served the needy people during the last ten months.

District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo addressing the Cabinet Meeting. Next to him (on his right) is International Director Lion Alexis V. Gomes and extreme left is PDG/PMCC Lion Shem Bageine who is also Minister for East African Affairs in the Government of Uganda. On extreme right is Multiple Council Chairman Lion Polly K. Ndyarugahi.

Election Information: There are 18 clubs in Tanzania out of which only 9 are registered thus giving power of voting to only 23 delegates. In Uganda, there are 25 clubs out of which only 13 clubs are registered and only 38 delegates have the power to vote. Those standing for elections are: 1st Vice District Governor Lion Night Ndyarugahi (District Governor); 2nd Vice District Governor Hyderali Gangji (1st Vice District Governor) and Lion Vennie Tinkumanya for 2nd Vice District Governor.

Pictures by Rizwan Qadri

Story by Abdul Hai & Rizwan Qadri

GOVERNORS' COUNCIL MEETING

Kisumu, Kenya: The Governors' Council for Sub District 411B met late night on Tuesday and managed to finish the agenda just beyond midnight hour.

In the absence of PDG Lion Satish Sharma (Chairperson), PDG/PCC Lion Abdul Majid Khan took over the responsibility to conduct the meeting. All that was discussed was "in the camera" but what was revealed that the meeting went beyond midnight hour.

The meeting was attended by District Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo; MCC/PDG Lion Poly Karimari Ndyarugahi; PDG Kamal Joshi; PDG Joseph Kiwanuka; PDH Lion Wilson Tumwine, 1st VDG Lion Night Ndyarugahi and 2nd VDG Lion Hyderali Gangji.

According to today's 1st May time table, both the Governors for Sub District B and A will be having a busy afternoon when they will conduct Cabinet Meetings which will hear presentations of written reports from Cabinet and District Officers.

The District Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo will present his eight pages of Final Report, which in nutshell covers observation and remarks of performance made by his district during the last ten months which he managed as Governor.

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