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“Association of Friends” Launches N220 Million Development Fund As It Marks 45th Anniversary
A foremost social club in the city of Lagos, Association of Friends, has announced its plans to launch a N220 Million Development Fund as the club marks its 45 years of existence.
The President of the club, Otunba Kole Olatunji, while addressing the media on Tuesday on the programmes lined up for the celebration, revealed that the club was founded by eight friends.
“The birth of the Club came out of the vision of some young men, eight of them, who decided in 1978 to concretise their fledging relationship and dominance of Lagos city social space into a sustainable institution that will outlive them,” he said.
Olatunji spoke glowingly about the patron of the Club, Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu aka Baba Ijebu, who he said single handedly built a sports center for the club.
He however, revealed that the anniversary will hold on November 21, 23, 24 and 26, 2023.
Olatunji said that on Tuesday November 21, there would be Community Health Intervention, when there would be free eye test for the residents of Maryland and Onigbongbo neighbourhood.
The take off point, he said, is Association of Friends, Maryland, Lagos.
Wednesday November 23 is reserved for Business Summit titled; “Omoluabi” with Tenets, Concept, Ethos as well as Practices and Culture.”
“Lecture to be delivered by renowned banker and financial expert, Chief Abayomi Makekodunmi and the Hon. Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, who is expected to deliver a lecture on “What Citizens need to know about the Centre of Excellence,” at Alhaji Sule Onabiyi Hall, Association of Friends, Maryland, Lagos at 11:00 am prompt,” he said.
The President added that on Friday November 24, there would be inter-religious prayer session and hosting of friends and well-wishers to a special Suya Night.
This, he said, will be in honour of the founding fathers and Elders of the Club at Alhaji Sule Onabiyi Hall, Association of Friends, Maryland, Lagos.
The 45th Anniversary Gala night, Presidential Night and induction of new members will hold from 2:00pm inside Alhaji Sule Onabiyi Hall, Association of Friends, Maryland, Lagos at the grand finale of the anniversary on Sunday November 26, 2023.
“At this event, the pioneer members of the Club will be honoured, while a special Asso Development Fund shall be launched and new members will be inducted in a mixed programme of fun laced with sumptuous lunch and beautiful music from the stable of Bonsue Fuji King, Dr Adewale Ayuba.
“The Chief Launcher of the Asso Development Fund is Mr Hameed Akintunde Balogun, a distinguished member of our great Club based in the United States of America.
“Other eminent dignitaries, including royal fathers, captains of industries, are expected to attend the anniversary gala night,” he said.
Speaking further, Otunba Olatunji said that the then young men, who founded the club, some of whom he said are later, while others are now in their 80s and late 70s, were determined to actualise the vision of the club and at their second meeting, named the Club Association of Friends.
He gave the names of the founding fathers of the club as the late Alhaji (Chief) Suleiman Onabiyi, who died on October 22, 2023 and was the club’s Life Chairman, Asiwaju (Arch) Festus Adeleke Adesina- pioneer President, who was in office for 18 years, and Asiwaju (Engineer) Akinlawon Akanni Abiola aka Gentleman, the pioneer Vice President of the Club for 14 years
Others, he said are, Oba Fatai Irawo, the second President of the Club, the late Prince Ayinde Adesiyan, Evangelist Kola Sanyaoli, Mr Sunday Adigun and the late Otunba Kunle Adesanya (Liberty), the pioneer General Secretary.
“These young men met for the first time in the 50s, when they were struggling to gain admission to secondary schools and technical colleges across the country.
“After their secondary education, some of the young men sailed out of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America in the early 1960s to pursue further education.
“Even outside Nigeria, the conviviality among them waxed stronger as they met every weekend after hard working week days. Their regular meetings went on till they all returned to Nigeria.
“In 1978, these gentlemen came together again at the home of Otunba Kunle Adesanya to celebrate the official introduction of his wife. At this event, the idea of forming an organised Club came to the fore and it was well received and accepted,” he said.
He revealed that the founding fathers thus became the Pioneer Executive Committee members, now known as Management Committee members of the Association of Friends.
Others who spoke at the event were Arch Festus Adeleke Adesina, Engineer Akinlawon Akanni Abiola, and Otunba Akin Ogunyemi, who spoke about the beginning and the exploits of the club.
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