Social clubs tasked on community devt as Capricorn 83 marks 40th anniversary

SOCIAL clubs and other similar organisations have been called upon to maximise their impacts on communities where they exist through the innovation of ideas and provision of services that have direct bearing on the lives of the local inhabitants.

The president of Ibadan Solidarity Club, Alhaji Ademola Ogunsesan, made the call on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, while delivering a lecture at an event to mark the 40th anniversary of Capricorn 83 Club of Nigeria, a socio-philanthropic organisation.

According to Alhaji Ogunsesan, to maximise the impacts of their social responsibility, there is the need for cubs like Capricorn 83 to ground their activities in clear understanding of the development needs of communities and forge a good working relationship with the constituted authorities in the process of meeting such needs.

The accounting and tax expert emphasised that the objectives of any organisation, however excellent or noble, could only be realised through the commitment of the members and adherence to the guiding principles.

The pioneer president of Capricorn 83 Club of Nigeria, Dr Olusegun Atere, said the organisation had been touching the lives of its members and lifting the underprivileged in society in many ways since it was established 40 years ago.

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According to Dr Atere, the club was founded in Ibadan in 1983 and had its inaugural meeting on December 31, coincidentally, the same day that the Buhari/Idiagbon coup took place in Nigeria.

He said the 40 years of impactful existence of the club was made possible by the active members of the club “who believe in the denoting signs of Capricorn which are strength, fairness, honesty of purpose and dependability.”

Many of us started as OND holders but now we have made our marks in this country. Today, we are happy to hold our heads up and say yes, we have done well helping one another, beyond helping the underprivileged in the society, he noted.

According to him, the organisation, which has engaged in land and banking investments for the benefit of members, is working towards having a clubhouse which will serve as a permanent place for its meetings.

Highlights of the event were the cutting of the anniversary cake and presentation of merit awards to members from across Ibadan, Lagos, Akure, Abeokuta and Abuja, for their contributions to the survival and progress of the club.

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