Segun Atanda/
Pulsating fuji music from King Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1) enveloped the expansive Sir Kesington Adebutu Legacy Hall, at Abeokuta Sports Club that was all glitz and glamour on Friday, December 2, 2022, as eminent Nigerians were honoured by the 118-year-old exclusive club.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of projects, investiture of patrons and vice-patrons, induction of new members, and presentation of awards.
Resplendent in an array of white attires, the Very Important Personalities honoured at the event included Lead Doyen Tobi Abiola FCA, the Honorary Treasurer of ICAN; Kwam 1, AIG Adeyinka Bode Adeleke mni, who oversees Zone ‘2’ Police Command headquarters, Onikan, Lagos; AIG Kayode Egbetokun, who heads Zone ‘7’ Police Command headquarters, Abuja, and Alhaji Lanre Akanni Rasaq Muhammed, the CEO of LAMEX.
Also honoured were former Ogun State deputy governor – Alhaja Salimot Badru; Ogun State commissioner of police, CP Lanre Sikiru Bankole; HRH Oba Lawrence Olawale Odeyinka, the Olu of Siun; HRH Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, the Towulade of Akinale; Aare (Dr.) Kola Oyefeso, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, Deacon Atilade Bolarinwa FCA, Otunba Wasiu Jaiyeola Taiwo, Alhaji Tajudeen Olori, Chief Isaiah Oluwasesan Sofoluwe, Chief Soji Ogunjobi, Chief Kolawole Ibrahim Akinyele, Chief Oluwole Adeyi, Alhaji Fatai Olatunji, Mr Bayo Sodade, Mr Taiye Aruwajoye, Mr Adeyanju Akanbi Adelakun, Mr Isaac Sowemimo, Chief Chris Kolawole Soetan, Dr Kehinde Osinfade, Mr Hassan Adedamola Gbemisola, FATGBEMS Executive Director; Otunba Saheed Adeyemi Lawal, Mrs Ebunoluwa Oyindamola Shittu, Otunba Olumide Osunsina, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Mr Olatokunbo Talabi, Mr Oladapo Rahmon Okubadejo, Princess (Dr.) Rosemary Osula Mku-Atu, and Dr Nafiu Aigoro.
According to its history published in the event’s programme, Abeokuta Sports Club was founded by mainly expatriates in 1904.
Besides being a meeting point for the elites, the club, which is reputed as the oldest club in sub-Saharan Africa, had also served as a meeting point for relaxation for members of the West African Command Headquarters, and it was visited by the Governor of the Gold Coast then.
It boasts of a Golf Course, Cricket Pitch, Tennis Courts, and Billiards Room. The Club has developed sporting activities and won trophies in the country and outside. It has been active in Golf, Shooting, Cricket, Football, Motor Car Racing, Tennis, Billiards, and Snookers.
The President of Abeokuta Sports Club, Dr Olusola Egbesola urged members to take advantage of the sporting facilities at the Club to keep fit and healthy.
He thanked the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his patronage, and the patrons of the Club, former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Sir Kesington Adebutu for their support.
The event was chaired by Otunba Tunji-Lawal Solarin, and the Special Guest of Honour was Senator Olamilekan Adeola aka Yayi.
Royal fathers at the event included Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke Ona Egba; Oba Saburee Babajide Bakre, the Agura of Gbagura; Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu, and Oba (Dr.) Jacob Olufemi Omolade, the Olubara of Ibara.
