The foremost and most prominent social club in Ikorodu Division, the Oriwu Club Ikorodu celebrated its 50th anniversary milestone with commissioning of the renovated hospital facilities tagged, ‘Legacy Project’ and recognition and honouring of club members that have made outstanding contributions to the club’s remarkable achievements since its inception.
The foremost club commissioned two buildings at the General Hospital, Ikorodu, Agbala Annex, renovated by the Oriwu Club as part of the activities organized to mark the grand finale of the golden jubilee celebration which was graced by royal fathers and other high-profile dignitaries.
The building consists of a block of reception, ward and doctor’s consulting rooms. The legacy project, with a reconstruction cost of over thirty million naira (₦30M), will improve access to quality and affordable healthcare services for the people of Ikorodu. However, to meet the basic functional requirements, the hospital building requires an estimated amount of twenty million naira (₦20M) for furniture and medical equipment.
At the very colourful ceremony which was held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at ‘Somi Jaiyesimi Hall, the hall was named after the demise of Barr. Somi-Oluwa Ayowale Jaiysesimi, LLB, BL, the first President and the only Chairman of Oriwu Club Ikorodu which was founded in May 1973.
While giving the opening remarks, the President of the Club, Otunba Amid Adekunle Oduborisa, COC, FNES, expressed his gratitude to the royal fathers, Board of Trustees, Past Presidents, and other eminent personalities and described the golden year of remarkable existence of the club as a testament to all the hard work over the years that it is continuing.
The President of Oriwu Club, Otunba Oduborisa said, “I do think it is fantastic we are here today celebrating the Club’s 50th anniversary. It is a testament to all the hard work over the years that it is continuing, although I think we will all agree the club looks very different today to the one that was set up 50 years ago.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I will end this note by saying that we have come this far with a positive mindset to project the image of Ikorodu and be a force that facilitates good tidings for our dear fatherland, Ikorodu”, Otunba Oduborisa stated.
He went on to say that the club is the foremost social club to be proud of in Ikorodu Division.
“Today we are proud to say that over the years our membership has propelled with more vibrant and well-off sons of the soil.
“I cannot help but extend my profound gratitude to our Board of Trustees for bestowing on us a club to be proud of and our past presidents for their years of relentless service,” he said.
Oduborisa, speaking at the commemoration of the club’s 50th anniversary listed some of the major achievements of Oriwu Club Ikorodu.
“Despite the nation’s harsh economic environment, infrastructural deficit and insecurity, we have continually maintained our obligations as a Club, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to our community.
“The Club donated thousands of face masks, during COVID-19 pandemic to Lagos State Government and distributed essential food items as palliatives to the community at a cost of over ten million naira (₦10M)”, Otunba Oduborisa emphasized.
“We have granted so far awards of more than twenty million naira (₦20M) in undergraduate scholarships to many brilliant and deserving students from Ikorodu.
“In addition, we donated a brand-new vehicle at a cost of ten million naira (₦10M) to Onyabo Vigilante Group to boost their operations in ensuring security of lives and property across Ikorodu Division” he noted.
“The Club has made it a point of duty to make donations worth millions of naira to orphanages.
Also, as part of our efforts to enhance security of lives and property, the Club donated the sum of two million naira (₦2M) in the Year 2021 and thereafter contributes annually one million naira (₦1M) to Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Ltd/Gte (IDPIL/G), a community initiative and a ‘child of necessity’ birthed by the rising wave in crime.
“By illuminating dark alleys, we are able to install street lights especially on Oriwu Club Road and Chief Odofin Close to facilitate night-time activities and forster a sense of security in our host community. Very soon, we intend to pave Odofin Close with interlocking stones”, the club President said.
A major highlight of the event was the formal commissioning of the renovated hospital building at Agbala Health Centre, by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
Meanwhile, merit awards were given to recognize the key roles and outstanding contributions of some members and individuals to the club’s remarkable achievements. The awardees includes, Prince Olabode Ogunleye, FCA, KCOC; Alhaji Musbau Mudashiru; Otunba Adekunle O. Oyebola, FCIB, FCIS, KCOC; Engr. (Chief) Oriyomi Benson, KCOC; Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, ACII, KCOC; Oloye M. Oye Solebo, KCOC; Prince Tajudeen A. Odofin, B.Sc, ECON, FCA; Sir Chief Engr. R. Omokayode Shoderu, FNSE, KCOC; Prince Modupe A. Enigbokan; Sir (Barr.) Samson O. Sowemimo (KJW), KCOC; Engr. Olukayode O. Anibaba, (FNSE, FCHIT, COREN), KCOC; Prince Amid Adekunle Oduborisa, COC; High Chief Adewuyi Ogunsanya, SAN; and a posthumous award was given to Barr. Somi-Oluwa Ayowale Jaiysesimi, LLB, BL.
While giving the votes of thanks, the Vice Chairman of the Club and the Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Hon. Ola Animashaun thanked immensely the members of the Club, sponsors, donors, guests and all those present at the event for taking time out to grace the grand finale of the Club’s 50th anniversary.
The event was well attended by Royal Fathers, Board of Trustees, Past Presidents of the Club, Council Chairmen of LCDAs and Local Government in Ikorodu Division, members of the Club, and other high-profile guests within and outside Ikorodu who were gaily dressed in their traditional attires.
