OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Iganmode Club, Ota, has kick-started festivities marking its 50 years anniversary with various landmark events expected to revalidate its prominence and spice the ancient city of Ota with life impacting programmes.
"From January 7, to January 19, 2025, the historic city of Ota will come alive as we celebrate our rich collective heritage, honor our Founding Fathers, and showcase the rich hospitality culture and legacy of the Awori people to celebrate the glorious 5 decades of our existence." Hon. Chief Waliu Ojuko, the President of the Club said at a Press Conference held on Tuesday.
He assured the residents of Ota, including the business community of adequate security in the city, as the Olota of Ota, Oba Kabiru Adeyemi, Obalanlege II, working with all security agencies, has put necessary security apparatus in place to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the ancient city.
Fielding questions from journalists, on the Club Golden Anniversary, Chief Ojuko further said; 'Kabiyesi Olota has been so concerned about security affairs of Ota, and that being the Grandpatron of Iganmode Club, Ota, at every meeting held, he would be particularly interested in the security reports of the ancient city.
"We would tell him what we knew, he too would tell us security reports at his disposal and we would try to reach a resolution at solving every security challenge and nip it in the bud before escalating.
"We, in Iganmode Club, Ota, taking the cue from our royal Father, Kabiyesi Olota, have been working seriously with various security agencies in our local government council areas. We have our member representing us at PCRC and other security outfits, private and government. "Security of Ota has always been one of the items slated for discussion at every meeting of Iganmode Club, Ota. We review reports of crime and criminality in Ota. Quite often, we get the number of people arrested and prosecuted, at particular periods of time, nature of their crimes, to see where we can be of help, all for the purpose of reducing crime rate and improve security in our community.
"We are presently prosecuting by ourselves, one man caught within the premises of our club house, when we realized police were developing cold feet about it. We took over the prosecution, and charged the man to court. The case is still pending. You can see we don't compose security in Ota at all.
"We have been so up and doing to ensure the security of our community is very safe.
Speaking on the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Iganmode Club Ota, Chief Ojuko said from January 7th to January 19th, 2025, the historic city of Ota would" come alive as we celebrate our rich collective heritage, honor our Founding Fathers, and showcase the rich hospitality culture and legacy of the Awori people to celebrate the glorious 5 decades of our existence".
He said further "This legacy of openness and progress continues, as Ota remains a space that encourages innovation, knowledge-sharing, and economic growth.
"The Iganmode Club Ota started with 18 promising and young Ota sons that have the spirit of sportsmanship at heart, though most of them have gone to the great beyond now, but we still have two of them, our founding fathers, alive today and still kicking → they are Asiwaju Senator Ayodeji Otegbola and Asiwaju Dr. Gbolabo Oyede.
"These our founding fathers, both dead and alive, have laid down series of unforgettable legacies for the upcoming generations and the Club will be launching a ₦500 million Multipurpose Building project in their honour.
"Before I continue on the details of the 50th Anniversary, please allow me to briefly showcase Iganmode Club Ota from inception to date
"Iganmode Club Ota started as a gathering of promising Ota sons, who journeyed to Lagos and some, outside the shores of Nigeria, all in search of a bright future.
"They were then called "Ota Young Socialites" and were more of a football club. Aside from working hard and smart, they created time to play together at what used to be known as Race Course in Lagos in those days, which is the today's Tafawa Balewa Square.
The group later metamorphosed into "Blue Star Circle", assuming more of community responsibilities and less of sporting activities.
"The community activities, the zeal and passion to drive it was the reason the name "IGANMODE CLUB OTA" was ultimately suggested and unanimously adopted by the eighteen (18) great minds, who were the brains behind the Club.
"The genesis of the Club began in 1975 and by the grace of Almighty God, the Club is now celebrating her Golden Jubilee this year 2025.
"Iganmode Club Ota has come a long way in mediating on issues that bother on Ota and environs, giving scholarship to the needy, donating necessary infrastructures".
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