Abeokuta Club inaugurates 43 new members at 50th edition of president’s party

Christianah Alade (Intern)

The Abeokuta Club, a social and cultural platform on Saturday January 17, 2026 held its 50th edition of the President’s party with inauguration of 43 new members at the ceremony attended by hundreds of members within and outside the country.

Penpushing reports that the club became a movement shortly after its inception, with record having it that the formation was muted by a group of dynamic Egba professionals based in Lagos and led by late Chief Sobo Sowemimo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

The foremost club in Nigeria came to life in 1972 when the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, late Oba Oyebade Lipede I, laid the foundation stone on his coronation day, om August 5, 1972.

Penpushing reports the initial name was Abeokuta social club but later changed to Abeokuta Club after considering the wider scope of Egba interests, and the inaugural meeting was held at 1, Adams Street, Yaba, Lagos, the residence of Chief Sobo Sowemimo on June 4, 1972.

The President of the club Dr Adewale Adeola in his welcome speech at Alake Hall venue of the ceremony within the club headquarters located along Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta, called for a minute silence in memory of deceased members, praying for their souls to rest in perfect peace

Penpushing also reports that he celebrated the achievement of the current executive council of the club. As well as expressing optimism towards the bright future of the esteemed socio-cultural club.

‘The Abeokuta Club has always been a beacon of excellence, a place where elites and intellectuals converge to share ideas, foster camaraderie and shape the socio-cultural landscape of Egbaland’, Adeola said.

Penpushing reports that he added that the club’s rich history is a testament to the enduring spirit of unity, friendship, and service to Egbaland., recalling that the 2025 Annual Sobo Sowemimo lecture was delivered by Dr Mutiu Sunmomu, CON, the former Managing Director of and Country Chief for Shell Companies in Nigeria.

The President added that the guest lecturer spoke on the topic: Fixing Nigeria- Disruptive Thinking for Sustainable Development, pointing out that the take-home from the lecture was that fixing Nigeria will not come from comfort but courage.

‘From disruptive thinking that dares to imagine a better future and then builds it. We, therefore, become the generation that didn’t just talk about change but engineered it. I am also happy and proud that for the first time, Abeokuta Club organized a Christmas Carol and Service of Seven Lessons in December, 2025’, he stated.

‘This past year we were blessed with two new Vice Patrons Chief Olusegun Osoba and Chief Olusegun Osunkeye. We also have a new Life President and Chairman Board of Trustees, Prof. Afolabi Soyode. We have no doubt that their extensive knowledge base, wisdom and leadership will inspire us for many years to come’, Adeola added.

‘The Leadership of the club is committed to modernizing our premises for the comfort of our members and our guests. We have completed two new television rooms for the comfort of members and renovation of the Club’s toilet facilities’.

‘The face-lift of the chalets and the re-modelling of the administrative block is ongoing and will be completed by God’s grace and your benevolence. We welcome your kind donations to these projects. These projects will significantly enhance our profile as a foremost Egba Club’, he stated.

‘As we embark on this new year, let us reaffirm our commitment to the values that have made our club a pillar of unity, culture and development in Egbaland. Let us continue to nurture our traditions, promote our culture and work together to build a brighter future for our community.

Penpushing further reports that the Life President and Chairman Board of Trustees, Prof. Afolabi Soyode spoke on the theme: Abeokuta Club – Nurturing the Root and Respecting the Foundation’.

The Life President explained that the theme invites need to pause, to reflect, and to reaffirm a timeless truth: stressing that no institution can endure, let alone flourish, if it loses touch with its origin.

‘A tree may grow tall and wide, but its strength, nourishment, and permanence come from its root. Abeokuta Club stands tall today precisely because its foundation was laid with vision, discipline, and honour’, Soyode said.

‘Our Origin – A Foundation Built on Distinction and Purpose men who were well-to-Abeokuta Club was founded by distinguished Egba professionals do, accomplished, confident, and widely respected in their various callings’, he added.

‘They were not merely successful individuals; they were men of selflessness, patriotism, cultural consciousness, and deep respect for age, tradition, and order. They came together not for social convenience alone, but to create a unique institution one defined by prestige, honour, integrity, and purposeful impact’.

‘Their overriding goal was clear and noble: to foster harmony and unity among all sections in Egbaland and to contribute meaningfully to the rapid growth and development of our land. This was the root. This was the foundation. And it deserves our constant respect.’

‘The collegiate Spirit – Leadership Anchored in Collective Wisdom In furtherance of this vision, the founding fathers adopted a collegiate system of governance. Leadership was not concentrated in one individual, but exercised collectively, with all founding members actively involved in guiding the scope, direction, and public image of the Club.

Penpushing also reports that some notable members of the club to grace the occasion include Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, grand patron, Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, club patron.

The others are Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor of Ogun State, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, former High Commissioner United Kingdom, Senator Salisu Shuaib, Hon Kayode Amusan, Yinka Kotoye, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tunde Oluwasola (Chairman, Publicity of the ceremony), Hon. (Dr.) Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo (Chairman Abeokuta North Local Government, Alhaji Salawu(Retired Permeant Secretary), Dr Kehinde Sogunle(Former Commissioner of Finance, Ogun State) and Captain Raji(former military administrator) among others

Meanwhile, Sakara musician, Abideen Yusuf-Olatunji, grandson of late Sakara music legend, Yusuf Olatunji was on band stand who treated members and guests to sonorous songs, which equally lighted up the venue

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