The Oriwu Club Ikorodu, a foremost and prominent social club in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, was established with aims and objectives to foster brotherly and friendly relationship and association among others, to engage in charitable activities and to promote the progress, and prosperity of Ikorodu in particular and Lagos State in general.
The foremost club was set in motion in May 1973 by the late ‘Somi Jaiyesimi, the first President and the only Chairman of Oriwu Club Ikorodu.
Otunba (Engr.) Amid Adekunle Oduborisa, COC, FNES, the President of Oriwu Club Ikorodu, stated these while reeling out the Club’s half century milestones and also appreciating the surviving founding fathers at a press conference to flag-off the Week-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Oriwu Club, held at the Oriwu Club Bar, Ikorodu, on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
“To have lasted 50 years is a huge achievement. We came into being to attain excellence in Ikorodu and in Lagos State at large, wherein an assemblage of professional qualifications is requisite: with discipline intellect to suit subject to politeness, to imbibe a deep sense of morality, to preserve human dignity and foster a spirit of benevolence.
“I believe that the history of Oriwu Club illustrates the state and progress of Ikorodu. The very extension of the range of the Ikorodu community, in our vision, only increase the need for building up as never before, the social fabric of life, the home and the family, the neighbourhood and the metropolitan city. Oriwu Club members themselves, are a set of trumpet creeper flowers. No wonder the world hears us all round.
“At every step of the way, for a half of a century, the distinguished members of our Club have been there. The worth of Oriwu Club, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it. These single individuals are the power and the might of Oriwu Club.
He said, the club has been leveraging the network of those lofty dignitaries who are around them, and the membership of the club has grown steadily.
“However, disagreeing in petty things but agreeing in giant ones is part of what keeps up our oneness. This keep us ever-growing and capable of indefinite expansion”, he said.
“More importantly is our strength, which is embodied in our slogan, “Oriwu….. Ògá!” as well as, “The Club of Professionals”.
While announcing some of the good initiatives and major community impact initiatives the club has instituted to complement Lagos State Government efforts, Otunba Oduborisa also stated that Oriwu Club had already developed a 5-year developmental plan for the growth of humanity in Ikorodu Division as a whole, of which three have already been achieved.
“After all, it is our watchword that the only worthwhile achievements of men are those which are socially useful to the populace. Almighty God thus availed of us to bring the following into reality;
▪️Donation of 5 tons standing Air Conditioners to Ikorodu General Hospital’s reception.
▪️Donation of a brand new vehicle to Onyabo Vigilante Group.
▪️ Construction of the Main Gate to Sagamu Road Police Station.
▪️ Distribution of palliative during COVID-19 pandemic.
▪️Donation of thousands of face masks to Lagos State Government through the State Ministry of Health.
▪️Grant of hundreds of undergraduate scholarship and bursary awards to indigent students from Ikorodu.
▪️ Annual financial support to Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Ltd/Gte (IDPIL/G) to build up Ikorodu Division Security Architecture.
▪️ Donation to orphanages.
▪️ Installation of street lights on Oriwu Club road and Odofin Street to enhance security in our host community.
Otunba Oduborisa added that the club is ready to do much more by collaborating with the Lagos State Government as partners to cover a wider spectrum of the society.
He said Oriwu Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary for a week with different activities that have been lined up.
Present at the press briefing were the Board of Trustees, past presidents, members of the club, and other invited guests.
Also, a special prayer session was held as part of the activities to kick-start the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the club.
The special prayer which was divided into three segments, which witnessed the presence of the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Fadeelat Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Olowooribi who led the Islamic prayer; the Patriarch of Ikorodu Diocese of the Methodist Church of Nigeria led the Christian prayer; and the Olomba worshippers led the traditional prayers.
