ISG: Still safeguarding the interests of Ibadan indigenes

IBADAN Solidarity Group is one of the pan-Yoruba associations in Ibadan. Established over three decades ago in the ancient city of Ibadan by a group of like-minds, it all began with the utmost goal of having a platform with the intent of socialising deeply ingrained by a common identity.

The group started with about seven friends, according to one of the prominent members, Kola Animasaun, and specifically in 1983. It has its structure rooted in a firm loyalty and the pursuance of their socio- cultural ideology that friendship with a communal coloring could have a human face. Since then, the group has repeatedly provided the platform to assess a most cosmopolitan outlook for the interests of Ibadan indigenes.

The group has always drawn its membership from the mix populace of the Ibadan metropolis. It consists of vibrant, brilliant entrepreneurs, civil servants, men and women in both the public and private establishments. With members who are largely indigenes of Ibadan, the club is also affiliated to the larger umbrella body of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

One of the foundation members, and indeed the first president of the club, Engineer Lere Adigun, of the famous Sahara Engineers, is today the chartered president of the club. His influence, dedication to the task of moving the club forward, including his persistence in positioning the club as a frontline association in Ibadan earned him a most enviable reckoning.  This is mirrored in his emergence as the club’s chartered president. Remarkably also, he has not relented in giving back to the club by way of motivating the present crop of members and its executives.

Ibadan Solidarity Group prides itself as a foremost social group in Ibadan, hence, it jealously guards its requirements for membership as first “a true Ibadan boy who can be traced to its village.” This was the position of the chairman, 2016 family get-together planning committee, Kola Animasaun.

According to him, “an aspiring individual must be an Ibadan boy, traceable to his village. You should know that there is no Ibadan man who does not have a village. That is the first qualification. That is followed closely by temperament of the person who wants to be a member. The interested applicant must be a responsible member of the society. We welcome individuals from different professions as members because the club comprises of different classes of people.

“Our current president, Professor Olatunde Fawole, is an academic of note. We also have members who are from the bar, academics, engineers, entrepreneurs and other fields, as well as prominent members like the current governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

“In short, I can best describe the ISG as a topmost club in Ibadan with lots of professionals bent on touching lives in many distinct ways. Our members are committed to the club and the society. We have a scholarship endowment scheme to the tune of N1.5million awarded to students of various institutions.”

Today, the once relatively small club has grown to rank shoulder high with every other club in the city, and even across the South West. With its large membership cutting across every major professional sector like medicine, academics, business, architecture, surveying, media, law among others, the shared burden of spearheading the interests of Ibadan indigenes is lightened at the table of brotherhood.

The open door policy of having its members spread across various human endeavour has in no small measure influenced the rapid growth of the club. This was evident in the contributions of these members to the development of the club till date. This was enacted in particular by the final relocation of the group to its permanent club house on Reverend Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku, GRA, Ibadan, recently.

Before now, the Ibadan Solidarity Group had operated on several locations, the last being around Agodi Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ibadan, but the untiring efforts of various administrations helped in securing a massive space around such an auspicious location in Ibadan. Although the club since its inception witnessed various challenges, as described by its president, Professor Olatunde Fawole, the efforts have been worthwhile considering the levels of progress attained. In his assessment, Professor Fawole argued that one of the yardsticks of measuring the improvements recorded was the venue of the 2016 family get-together of the club. The celebration was held at the association’s permanent club office. “The group is growing stronger despite many twists and turns on our side,” Fawole stated.

The conviviality was infectious at the celebration. Members re-united with friends, igniting the bond of fellowship and togetherness. The 2016 party was remarkably one with a difference. Members were not restricted to attend alone as many of them came calling with their family members and friends who were not registered members of the club. They danced; they celebrated; they reunited.

The celebration was indeed full since they had achieved one of their long-awaited desires—the provision and erection of a recreation facility of their choice, a place where they could call their own. But despite celebration in the air, the president of the club did not hesitate to call the attention of his members to the challenges ahead as ISG prepares to mark its 34th founders’ anniversary this year.

Professor Fawole while appreciating the members’ contributions, at various levels and fora, to the success of the club house, charged them to be ready for the tasks ahead of the association.

“We thank God for how far he has led us this year. His provisions, mercies, kindness and love have been overwhelming. By His grace, we have been able to move into our new clubhouse. This is not a small achievement. Not many associations can boast of the progress that we have recorded. We brought out various targets at various stages of our growth. One of such targets was building a permanent residence for the association—a place that we could safely call our own. This is the reality of that dream. We toiled; we denied ourselves of so many comforts just to see this happen. Primarily, we were focused; we kept our eye on the target. Here we are today. This is an achievement; it is landmark. It is a clear representation of greater things to come. We are confident. We also recognise the fact that it is a clear pointer that we can achieve whatever we want to achieve. Other projects are in front of us but we know that we will accomplish every single one of them. The group is growing stronger despite all twists and turns on our side,” he said.

For the task, Professor Fawole urged members to display greater levels of commitment, just as he stressed that putting the interests of the association at the top of the list of priority would trigger further developments for the group.

He further assured that “by the grace of God, the 34th anniversary of our great club which will hold in March 2017 will provide bigger and more convincing reasons for celebration. As we all know that it is always a great occasion, I want us to be fully prepared for this upcoming event in such a way that it will be beneficial to our immediate communities. I believe we should have greater impact and improve upon our corporate social responsibilities. Our group should not just be a social cultural group but a developmental one.”