The Governor of Lions Clubs District 411B, Tush Naturinda, has urged Senior Four and Senior Six candidates at Bishop Iluko Rodals Secondary School to approach their national examinations with confidence and determination.
Speaking at a special event, Governor Naturinda encouraged students to build on their knowledge and skills to transition successfully to the next stage of their education.
“With or without cuts, you must pass. You must move from one class to another. Go and put down what you have worked on all these years,” she told the candidates.
The governor also commended the Lions Club of Kumi Central for nurturing young people through the newly established Leo Club at the school, which already has over 200 members.
Naturinda emphasized that Leos are the future of Lions International, highlighting the club’s core values: Liberty, Intelligence, and Our Nation’s Safety (LIONS).
“From being a Leo, we hope you will later become Lions. Together, we work for one cause: to be good citizens and serve our communities,” she noted.
The event also showcased the Lions’ ongoing initiatives, including environmental conservation, hunger relief, cancer awareness, mental health, and wellness.
Naturinda pointed to the school’s forest, planted with Lions’ support, as an example of sustainable service.
Johnson Opolot, President of Lions Club Kumi Central, said the Leo Club gives students an opportunity to take ownership of community service. “We want students to take the lead, nurture one another, and grow into responsible leaders,” he said.
The governor encouraged students to live responsibly, avoid destructive behaviors like drug abuse and unsafe sex, and focus on building meaningful futures.
“Your background should never determine your future. If I made it from a grassroots school, you too can excel,” she said.
Dr John Ekure, proprietor of Kumi Orthopedic Centre and Lions Club member, shared his journey from a humble rural background to becoming a senior orthopedic surgeon.
He urged learners to dream big, work hard, and avoid distractions such as drug abuse, illicit sex, and truancy.
“Your background should never determine your future. The bad things happening around us should never distract you from your goal of becoming doctors, engineers, or good citizens who will develop this nation,” he said.
Dr Ekure also emphasized the role of positive family and community role models, and encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered through the Leo Club to develop discipline, service, and leadership.
The event included sensitization on lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and cancer, stressing the importance of early detection and healthy living.
The day concluded with a call for students to embrace service, discipline, and resilience as key pillars to achieving their dreams.
