Seven years after the Committee of Friends was founded, all the 11 members that made up the group are now proud owners of a befitting edifice in Ikorodu, Lagos, just as the group has called for more concerted efforts in community development initiatives.
And expectedly, those that shared the success story of the group recently include Prince Osiyoku Felix Adeboye, Bashir Alabi, Ajetunmobi Tunde, Olugbenga Onasanya, Olaiya Fatai, Adebajo Wale, Sonaike Kunle, Egbucha Emeka, Kalejaiye Sesan, Olatomiyan Moroof and Obayomi Hakeem.
The club house, located at Supreme Bus Stop, 2 Adegoke Adewale Avenue, Offin-Ile, Igbogbo Baiyekun LCDA, Ikorodu, Lagos, was the first of its kind in the community and its environs.
While expressing his excitement, the chairman of the group, Osiyoku Felix Adeboye, disclosed the reasons for establishing the group.
“Committee of Friends started initially with four of us coming together to refresh our memories about past events and the present situation in the country. But it later became a reality when other friends and colleagues joined the league. So, on that fateful day, one of us mooted the idea of founding a group to cement our relationship. That was how the club started, and afterwards, the group was named the Committee of Friends officially on March 7, 2013, and we registered it under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) thereafter,” Adeboye said.
He also applauded the loyalty and commitment of all the members, saying the level of understanding and maturity exhibited by all members of the club brought about the progress of the association.
The vice chairman, Mr. Bashir Alabi, also told Nigerian Tribune that the success story celebrated by the group was not accidental.
“As friends, our relationship is purely that of one, indivisible family. We have the same ideology and we are driven by the same desire to impact our community. Plans are on to improve on our Corporate Social Responsibilities CRS).
“We want to improve on the quality of lives of residents of this community. We want to rehabilitate the road leading to our secretariat. We want to build a big recreational centre in Offin-Ile. We want to build private schools and we are also looking forward to exploring new opportunities in tourism, health and social services. All these are in the pipeline as part of the dreams of the club,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the general secretary, Ajetunmobi Tunde, pointed out that members of the club are men of integrity in their various fields.
“We have among us industry and men of noble deeds and character. We intend to impact our immediate community,” he said.
He also spoke about other sundry issues, including security, finance and maintenance of the new facility.
In his remarks, the assistant general secretary, Olugbenga Onasanya, who is also a member of the screening committee, said the group will soon open its door to new members, noting that the committee has the mandate to invite new members into the group.
He said, “In case we have issues, we also have a disciplinary committee that handles issues of disagreements and misconducts within the association. Moreso, leadership is always rotational and all members are potential leaders. So, whoever is in the driver’s seat for each of the available positions serves for two years and all elective positions cover two tenures. We are all potential leaders,” he explained.
The group’s secretary also expressed hope in the maintenance of the project, stressing that maintaining the facility is never a problem.
“Our members cut across all religions and tribes. We are people of like-minds; we have Igbos among us and there are Yorubas. For us, it is not about religion or tribe, it is about unity of purpose and drive towards the same goal and ideology,” he added.
The chairman, Mr Adeboye, gave assurances about the quality of leadership expected at the club, pointing out that there is a lot to achieve.
“As the pioneer chairman of Committee of Friends, it is my plan to lay a foundation of trust, and unity among our members, so that my successors will build on that. As far as I am concerned, it is service and nothing more and each time I am called upon to offer my service, I am always available,” he said.
Police Arrest 30 Footballers For Violating Lockdown In Kano
The Police Command in Kano on Tuesday confirmed it had arrested 30 youths allegedly involved in a football match in defiance to the lockdown order imposed on the state to contain the spread of the Coronavirus virus. Mr Abdullahi Haruna, the Commands’ spokesman, made the disclosure in an interview with the… Read full story
Seyi Makinde Announces New Appointments
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu as his Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by Moses Alao, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media… Read full story
COVID-19: UN Study Reveals ‘Baffling’ Inequality In Distance Learning
A study by the United Nations (UN) and some partners has revealed a “baffling” disparity in digitally-based distance learning around the world. This is coming amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has forced the closure of schools in 191 countries, leaving most of the world’s students at home… Read full story
COVID-19: Another WHO Staff Tests Positive In Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government on Tuesday confirmed that another official of World Health Organisation (WHO) has tested positive of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total of active cases in the state to three. The Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this… Read full story
US Senate Passes Additional $484bn COVID-19 Relief Package
The United States Senate on Tuesday passed an additional coronavirus relief package worth $484 billion (N181 trillion) to address emerging public health and economic challenges occasioned by the pandemic. Specifically, this will replenish a depleted loan package for small businesses and provide funds for hospitals and coronavirus… Read full story
Kyari: Buhari Writes Borno Community, Says ‘Borno Has Lost An Outstanding Personality’
President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Governor of Borno, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and some leading traditional rulers, commiserating with them on the passing of their illustrious son and his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari. Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday… Read full story
North Korean Media Silent On Kim’s Whereabouts As Speculation On Health Rages
North Korean state media on Wednesday made no mention of leader Kim Jong Un’s health or whereabouts, a day after intense international speculation over his health was sparked by media reports he was gravely ill after a cardiovascular procedure… Read full story
Coronavirus Hits Morocco Prison As 68 Test Positive
Sixty-eight people, mostly staff, have come down with the coronavirus at a prison in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, prison authorities said on Tuesday, without reporting any deaths. Earlier this month Morocco released 5,645 prisoners – some of them in poor health – to help reduce the risk of the coronavirus… Read full story
EDITORIAL: The Increasing Lawlessness Of Security Agencies
THE unusual circumstances which the advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic has foisted on many countries of the world, including Nigeria, has, in turn, elicited unusual official responses such as total or partial lockdown of activities. One of the significant consequences of restrictive orders is transient impairment… Read full story