Over US $2 million to fight river blindness

Lions Clubs International has donated US $2.1 million to combat river blindness over a five-year period in Nigeria, the governor of the Lions' Lagos district, Ladiji Abidemi Gbadamosi, said at the weekend. Gbadamosi told the media in Lagos that some 60,000 recycled spectacles had arrived at Nigeria's ports from the US and would soon be sent to various Lions Clubs for onward distribution to those in need. The Lions, in collaboration with federal, state and local governments, also aim to dig boreholes and deep wells across Nigeria in the next year to make potable water available and reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases, the Lagos-based daily 'ThisDay' reported on Monday. Lions Clubs International, which comprises some 44,500 clubs in 186 countries, is known for its work with blind and visually impaired people.