Sir (Col.) Dr. Ademola Onalaja is the Chairman, Working Committee of the newly established Ago-Iwoye Club. In an interview with Great Achiever Magazine, Col. Onalaja, who is the Balogun of Ago-Iwoye, speaks on the justification for the establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club and its relevance to the development of Ago-Iwoye and its people.
Excerpts:
What was your immediate reaction when HRH Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba pronounced the establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club and made you the Chairman of the Club’s Working Committee?
The idea of establishing Ago-Iwoye Club is a very laudable one and I salute the brilliant initiative of HRH Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba, who in his wisdom and in consultation with Club 50, Ago-Iwoye, found it worthy to launch a Legacy Project and birth Ago-Iwoye Club on 26th October, 2024; and from his revered wisdom again, announced a formidable start-up 22-man working committee during the Club 50’s 50th Anniversary and immediately inaugurated all members.
Of course, the Club will serve as a vehicle to further promote overall social and economic development of our town. The positive impact it will have on the community cannot be quantified and I am happy about it. On my appointment as the Chairman of the Ago-Iwoye Club’s Working Committee, to be honest, I have no prior knowledge, but I am always happy to serve my community.
As for my choice why Kabiyesi made that decision, that is best known to Kabiyesi why he chose to make me the Chairman. As an individual, I put my heart and mind to anything I am called to do, and the establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club will not be an exception and I am happy to serve.
Before the establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club, we have in existence many Clubs, Associations and Regberegbes in Ago-Iwoye. Would you like to justify the establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club?
In order to stimulate development and accelerate socio-economic development in our town, the Kabiyesi in his wisdom birthed Ago Iwoye Club as a leveler for all indigenes and lovers of Ago-Iwoye to socialize and bond together for progress and unity. All the clubs and associations mentioned have always been part of the community and will continue to be part as they serve their purposes and commitments.
The establishment of Ago-Iwoye Club is entirely different in terms of what it will bring to the community; in terms of membership and expanding the opportunity for further development of Ago-Iwoye. Thus, the establishment is very relevant and I do not see any clash with existing groups mentioned. In fact, we have representatives of all regberegbes, social clubs and other stakeholders in town as eminent members of Ago-Iwoye Club Working Committee.
Tell us about the aims and objectives of the Club.
The main aims are to provide a Club House and ancillary facilities for its members and guests; to provide recreational facilities for its members and their guests (under terms and conditions); to plan symposia, seminars and lectures on issues of national, social, economic and public interest, etc.
The main objectives are to provide a platform for bonding and recreation for all interested indigenes of Ago-Iwoye, residents and indeed the general public who shall be expected to apply for membership and if found suitable may be formally accepted as member of the Club. Also, to affiliate or cooperate with other Club within or outside Nigeria having similar aims and socio-economic mutual benefits.
Give us an insight into membership of the Club.
Membership of the Club shall be open to all individuals of flawless and impeccable character that are not below the age of 18 years. Like what exists in similar clubs, we will be looking at few categories of membership, such as full members, honorary members, life members and distant members. Then of course, category of membership comes with different packages based on privileges and financial obligations. All these will be well defined in our Constitution, including criteria for membership application.
As the Chairman of the Working Committee, what is your dream for the Club?
As the Chairman of the Working Committee, my dream is to see the Club come to life regardless of the economic situation. We all know that things are hard at this point in time, but we are very optimistic. I will be glad to see that the Club comes to life and we all look forward when the Club will be inaugurated.
This is not just my dream alone, but the dream of all eminent members of the Working Committee saddled with this responsibility. We ultimately dream to see the Club become a centerpiece, a rallying ground to every indigene of Ago-Iwoye and friends.
Has the Club recorded any milestone since its establishment?
Yes, definitely we have recorded some achievements. Foremost, let me appreciate the competence of all the eminent working committee members, as we all believe that history is in the making and much is expected from us.
We have identified, inspected and acquired an existing facility within the town which is suitable for the Club House and we are also satisfied that the facility will meet our immediate and future expectations. Thus, we have taken full possession of the facility and sign-post it, which is well positioned with good accessibility.
I will like to use this medium to express our magnanimous appreciation to the previous owner, Otunba Tayo Okeowo, whose love for our town made the final transaction hitch free and necessary land ownership transfer (Deed of Assignment) duly executed. We are in the process of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), while the Club’s Constitution is being developed and also finalize all necessary internal organs of the Club administratively, and very soon Ago-Iwoye Club will commence skeletal operation.
Technical visitations have commenced, and in order to facilitate effective coordination of remodeling the existing physical infrastructure into a modern and befitting edifice, 5 sub-committees were composed with specific responsibilities and headed by eminent members.
The sub-committees are: Implementation and Technical Planning Committee, headed by Chairman; Fund Raising Planning Committee, headed by Oluomo (Dr) Femi Bakre; Infrastructure and Building Planning Committee, headed by Otunba Akin Ogungbe; Equipment and Material Planning Committee, headed by Otunba Ramon Odunsi; and Publicity and Programming Planning Committee, headed by Yomi Ogunsanu. The sub-committees’ members are sacrificing their time and resources, and performing wonderfully with many activities ongoing.
I am also happy to inform that we have successfully opened Ago-Iwoye Club accounts with Parallex Bank and Wema Bank in order to ensure smooth and transparent financial obligations. Some funds have been redeemed by donors and I specially use this opportunity to thank our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Secretary to State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, Senator Olamilekan Solomon (Alias Yayi), Senator Lekan Mustapha, Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, Hon. Segun Kaka, General S.A Awosanya (Baba Oba of Ago-Iwoye), Dr Alex Onabanjo (Asiwaju of Ago Iwoye), Prince Segun Adesegun, Hon Tele Ogunjobi. Others are: Club 50, Otunba Segun Akanji (Balogun Meleki) and host of others for their pledges and donations. Permit me to also seize this opportunity to solicit for generous donations from all the good people of Ago Iwoye both at home and in diaspora and our friends to support this noble cause. God will bless a cheerful giver.
Finally, on behalf of the Ago-Iwoye Club Working Committee, I hereby express our profound appreciation to HRH Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, for finding us worthy of this appointment.
