Ooni, Olubadan, lawmakers grace Ibadan Tennis Club's 100th anniversary
The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; and the lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East federal constituency, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, were among dignitaries who attended the centennial celebration of the 1925 Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC).
The grand event, which featured a commemorative luncheon, lecture, and a N750 million fundraising, also had in attendance the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Hon. Stanley Olajide, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole and Mrs. Oluwakemi Akala, wife of the late former governor of Oyo State, among others.
The luncheon lecture, titled “The Burgle Blast of Financial Technology in Nigerian Economic Space: Perspective, Choice and Implications”, was chaired by Hon. Oseni. In his address, he applauded the club for its century-long contributions to community development, stressing that its efforts in societal upliftment cannot be overstated.
Oseni urged Nigerians to embrace sports as a pathway to better health, stating that wellness goes beyond medication and that sporting activities remain a natural and effective way to stay fit, healthy, and prolong life.
In his remarks, President of the 1925 Ibadan Tennis Club, Dr. Oladipupo Sule, described the club as a heritage-rich indigenous institution. He said marking 100 years is not just a celebration of longevity but also of resilience, continuity, and relevance in community development.
Dr. Sule noted that the club has evolved with time, adapting to societal changes while maintaining its core values and fostering a sense of belonging among members.
He emphasised the club’s enduring legacy in shaping the cultural and social landscape of Ibadan and its environs.
He said, “Our club prides itself in giving back to the community, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare delivery, hence, the purpose of today’s centennial launch was to raise funds to be channelled towards this cause, along with sporting and infrastructural development
“We intend to identify 100 brilliant pupils selected from public secondary schools across selected local government areas of Oyo State whose families are less privileged in the society for payment of WAEC fees and proceed to follow up and monitor them for eventual scholarship awards up to the University level for the duration of their courses.
“We are partnering with 10 local governments out of the 33 local governments of Oyo State, with the support of the Ministry of Health, for a medical outreach program in the selected local government.
“We are also collaborating with the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners of Oyo State for the medical outreach, which includes sensitisation, blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar check, eye screening and cataract surgery for identified cataract patients.
“For the centennial year, we are organising a tennis tournament for a minimum of a hundred talented school children and providing them with tennis balls, rackets, jerseys and a training coach throughout the centennial year.
“As the club celebrates its 100 years of sporting and recreation excellence with reach history of indelible mark and contribution to the socio-economic well-being of the western region and Nigeria at large from the colonial era, we have earmarked a number of notable projects to mark the centennial celebration.
“The above projects are the basis of our desire to host this fundraising luncheon today to raise the resources from the prosecution of these projects.”
Meanwhile, the wife of the former governor of Oyo State, Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, said her husband, who was the former Grand Patron of the club, held the club in the highest regard and was so committed to its growth.
She, however, said the Club shall continue to flourish for generations to come, adding that the memory of those who have contributed to the journey of the Club since 1925 will forever flourish.
