By Akeem Lasisi
Members of The Ibadan Patriots (T. I. P.) renewed their love for the great city weeks ago when the club rolled out the drums for its 10th anniversary. The event held at the Senior Civil Service Club, Total Garden, in the popular city, also saw many other dignitaries rally round them, all with one loud song, which is to join hands to uplift the iconic land. The programme featured reflections on the journey so far, words of inspirations that included an anniversary lecture and bold promises for a bigger future.
In his inaugural address, the new President of the Club, Mr Adekunle Glad Adebisi, promised to preserve the ideals of the Ibadan Patriots, while listing projects he would embark upon.
Adekunle, who is the Head of Audit at the First Technical University, Ibadan and immediate past Auditor of the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes, said, “This programme marks the 10th anniversary of the Patriots. It is one that symbolises a successful dream, unbroken friendship, and sustained commitment to the advancement of our beautiful land, Ibadan, the home of Oluyole, land of unforgettable legends and monumental firsts.
“Ten years ago, 10 noble, forward-looking and teni-n-teni people came together with the idea of establishing a Pan-Ibadan group, which would focus on the progress of members and development of our city. They started thinking and working systematically and persistently towards realising this great objective. Day and night, we had a burning desire to contribute our quotas to the continued development of Ibadanland. Ten years after, here we are with our heads standing straight atop our necks, with smiles radiating on our lips, with a sense of fulfilment flowing like a river in our heats. We kept the dream alive and so today is a big reality.”
He recalled the memorable steps taken to make the club relevant and impact positively on indigenes and others. He added, “Year in year out, we reached out to different indigenes and institutions at several times. We have intervened in matters of state advancement at different times. Today, The Ibadan Patriots has secured a land on which it is going to build its own house, so that we too will be more reckoned with within and outside the city and beyond. Are these feats not worth celebrating my dear people and our dear guests? Indeed, it has been a decade to be proud of, with a future pregnant with bigger dreams and impacts.
“It is against this backdrop that I feel honoured to be inaugurated as the new President of our great club this very day. I appreciate all members for the confidence reposed in me to lead the patriotic family at this strategic time. I cherish the opportunity; I understand the challenge. I, however, want to promise that, by the grace of God, I shall do more than my best to deepen the pedigree of our organisation and make it more impactful so as to boost the respect we have earned in these past years. I shall work with humility, with open arms and with an unblemished sense of purpose.
“Our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, ladies and gentlemen, among my top priorities as your humble President, I will inspire us to build the Ibadan Patriots House. Thank God, we have already secured our land. I will thus urge all and sundry to heed our call when we call on all and sundry to contribute your own quotas in cash and kind to the success of the project. I will also tirelessly work to improve on the welfare of members. I will work towards expanding membership base within and outside Nigeria – because we have members in the Diaspora too. I intend to improve on the relationship we have with fellow indigene associations and our umbrella body, the CCII. Under my guide, The Patriots will be more heard on state, national and international matters.”
At the event were prominent Ibadan sons and daughters , including Alhaji (Chief) Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, who is the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes; his predecessor, Chief Yemi Soladoye, who was the Chairman of the Occasion; Chief Mustapha Adebayo Oyero, Father of the Day; Chief Mrs J’ T’ Raimi – the Asiwaju Iyaloja of Oyo State – who was the Mother of the Day; and Professor Adedeji Tosin Ademola, the Guest Speaker.
In his welcome address, the immediate past President of the T. I. P., Chief Amoo Abiodun Sunday JP, highlighted the achievements of his tenure. He said, “I like to spend time recalling the past, my biggest feelings, enthusiasm and I am deeply touched remembering the ay my past President, Dr Maruf Oladejo, insisted that I take after him as President. Thank you, sir for the confidence reposed in me. Hope you were not disappointed.
“When we took over, we had only two agenda, which were to mobilise members and improve the financial status of the club. To God be the glory, these were achieved to a large extent. As a registered member of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, our financial obligations to the umbrella body were and are still being observed.”
The Patriots, which launched a N50m Fund for the building of its Club House, also presented awards to several worthy personalities. Among those so honured are Engr. Oyetunde Adeoye Adeaga, who is the Acting Head and Reader in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Forst Technical University, Ibadan; Dr (Engr)Gregory Omosigho Ero, Engr Ayoade Kolawole Maruf, Chief Abdullahi Abiola Alli and Hon. Olusola Owolabi, Mr Banjo Falowo, Dr Sunday Adeyemi, Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole.
The Ibadan Patriots (T. I. P.) which started as a socio-cultural club established on December 28, 2013, has a rich and fascinating history. The club was founded by a group of like-minded Ibadan indigenes who recognized the need for a space where people could come together to celebrate and explore various aspects of society and culture.
The primary motive behind the establishment is to protect the good image of Ibadanland. The meeting that led to the establishment of the great club was convened by Patriot Oladejo at the Ibadan House on December 27, 2013. It lists the following as its founding members: Patriots Dr Maruf Oladejo, Adekunle Adebisi, Waheed Ganiyu, Ayoola Ojo, Wasiu Tiamiyu, Wasiu Alabi, Adewale Ojo, Wasiu Popoola and Mutiu Isola.
Meanwhile, other Patriots working with Adekunle as Executive Members are Wasiu Tiamiyu – Vice President; Akinpelu Akinniyi Gbenga – General Secretary, Saheed Oyebamiji, Assistant General Secretary, Isola Mutiu Olawale – Treasurer, Mustapha Jelili – Financial Secretary, Alabi Ademola – Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sanusi – Social and Welfare Secretary, Oladimeji Rasheed, Chief Whip, Adeolu Adejimi, Internal Auditor and Amoo Abiodun Sunday – Immediate Past President.
