By Sharon Akuboh, Abuja
In a demonstration of how strategic partnerships can transform education and expand access to knowledge, the Abuja Mega Lions Club has honoured two top education administrators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for their outstanding support towards the successful delivery of a modern digital library project.
The FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and the Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre (ERC), Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, were inducted as Automatic Lions Members during the commissioning of the newly upgraded Digital Library at the FCT City Library, a project executed by the Abuja Mega Lions Club in collaboration with the FCT Education Resource Centre.
The recognition was more than ceremonial. It reflected the club’s appreciation of the pivotal roles played by the two education officials in facilitating the project’s approval and implementation, which has now provided students, educators and researchers with improved access to digital learning resources.
Representing the District Governor of Lions International, Pastor Ezekiel Umoh described the honour as a token of gratitude for the prompt and proactive support received from both the FCT Education Secretariat and the Education Resource Centre.
According to him, the project benefited from an unusually seamless approval process, allowing the intervention to be completed on schedule despite the bureaucratic procedures often associated with engagements between government agencies and private organisations.
“The request for this intervention and commissioning received immediate attention. Their responsiveness demonstrated a genuine commitment to development and partnership, making it possible for this project to be delivered successfully and on time,” he said.
Pastor Umoh noted that the successful completion of the digital library further demonstrates the value of collaboration between government institutions and humanitarian organisations working toward a common goal.
He emphasized that while government efforts remain critical to national development, non-governmental and humanitarian organisations also have important roles to play in complementing those efforts through impactful interventions.
“The government cannot do it all. As a humanitarian organisation, we recognise the need to partner with government institutions to bring meaningful interventions that improve lives and strengthen communities,” he stated.
Over the years, the Abuja Mega Lions Club has implemented several projects across various sectors, particularly education, with a focus on creating sustainable solutions that benefit communities.
This philosophy was echoed by the President of Abuja Mega Lions Club, Dr. Charles Bassey, who explained that the club adopted the theme, “Service Beyond Today,” for the 2025/2026 Lions Service Year.
According to him, the theme underscores the need for humanitarian projects that continue to create value long after their completion.
“Service Beyond Today is a call to embed sustainability into our interventions. We want every project we undertake to continue serving communities and impacting lives for years to come,” he said.
Dr. Bassey revealed that the digital library project emerged after a comprehensive needs assessment, which identified the urgent need for a modern learning environment capable of supporting literacy, research, innovation and access to information in a rapidly evolving digital world.
He explained that the intervention was designed not only to improve infrastructure but also to create opportunities for knowledge acquisition and intellectual growth.
“Education remains one of the most effective tools for societal transformation, and we are proud to contribute to that mission,” he added.
The project goes beyond the renovation of the physical library space. It also includes the provision of electrical infrastructure, installation of bag shelves for users, and sponsorship of a one-year internet subscription, all aimed at ensuring the facility remains functional and accessible.
For the beneficiaries, the intervention represents a significant boost to educational development in the Federal Capital Territory.
In their separate acceptance speeches, Dr. Hayyo and Dr. Abdulrahim expressed gratitude to the Abuja Mega Lions Club for both the recognition and the investment in education.
They described the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service as exemplary and worthy of emulation, noting that the upgraded facility would greatly enhance learning, research and innovation within the territory.
The officials pledged to ensure proper maintenance of the facility and assured the club that the project would continue to serve its intended purpose for years to come.
According to them, the intervention demonstrates what can be achieved when government institutions and responsible organisations work together to advance public interest.
They also expressed delight at their induction into the Lions family and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, community development and human welfare.
Beyond the honour bestowed on the two education leaders, the commissioning of the upgraded digital library represents a broader success story of partnership, innovation and shared responsibility.
At a time when technology is increasingly shaping the future of education, the project stands as a reminder that sustainable investments in learning infrastructure can empower future generations, bridge knowledge gaps and create pathways for national development.
For the Abuja Mega Lions Club and its partners, the upgraded digital library is not merely a building filled with computers and internet connectivity. It is a gateway to opportunities, a centre for innovation, and a lasting legacy of service beyond today.
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