Ikoyi Club rolls out plans for memorable 85th anniversary celebration

Photo : L-R: Catering Adviser, Architect Abimbola Ajayi, Ikoyi Club 1938; Vice Chairman, Mr. Rufai Ladipo; Chairman, Chief Tafa Zibiri-Aliu and Bar Adviser, Mr. Jide Adekoje during a press conference to mark the beginning of a week-long celebration of the Club’s 85th anniversary.

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

The premier social and recreational club in the country, Ikoyi Club 1938 has rolled out a weeklong long programme of activities to celebrate it’s 85 years of existence.
In a well attended Press Conference to unveil activities for the event, the Vice Chairman of the prestigious Club who also doubles as the Chairman of the anniversary committee, Rufai Ladipo noted that while the club might not hold the record as the first recreational club in Lagos State but he’s proud to say that the club is the best among equals and will continue to maintain the legacy left behind by the founding fathers as well as maintain its leading position amongst sister clubs not only in Lagos but in the country.
According to him, there will be a jazz night on Wednesday September, 27,2023 with an anniversary symposium coming up on Thursday, September, 28 with the topic, “Managing Change in Ageing Institution”. The lead paper will be delivered by the former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works and Housing Babatinde Fashola ( SAN) who will be supported by eminent personalities. This will be followed by the ladies night later in the day.
On Friday, the 29th, there will be an elders party where all the past chairmen will be honoured while there will be health work in the morning of Saturday the 30th September.
The celebration will continue on Sunday, October 1, with awards ceremony and childrens party in the afternoon while the activity will be rounded up on Monday, October 2 with Gala nite and staff party where some deserving members of staff will be honoured.
The Vice Chairman used the occasion to invite well meaning Nigerians to be part of the celebration just as he commended all their sponsors for being worthy partners.
In his remarks, Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Chief Tafa Zibiri- Aliu expressed happiness that the club is waxing stronger even as he posited that all the eight sports sections of the club have contributed in one way or the other in the development of the country’s sports.
” I’m really excited that Ikoyi Club is still waxing stronger and dictating the pace for other clubs since it was founded 85 years ago.
“It will equally interest you to know that at Ikoyi Club, every member identifies with one sports as a way of keeping fit and all our eight sections namely; tennis, table tennis, squash, golf, badminton, swimming, aerobic, and other sports have contributed one way or the other in moving Nigerian sports to greater heights.
” Recently our children travelled abroad to participate in swimming competition where they won medals and we’re also collaborating with Badminton Federation in developing the racket game.
The chairman assured that there will be no dull moment in the weeklong anniversary celebration.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Zenith General Insurance Company, Limited, one of the major sponsors of the anniversary, Jude Modilim, explained that his company decided to partner with the club because it creates a bigger bound among families and friends, promising that the company will always be there for the club whenever they’re called upon