The Custodians of Lagos culture and traditions have unanimously given the present executives of Eko club and her founding fathers excellent marks.
The executives were given a pat on the back by the Erelu of Lagos, HRH Princess Abiola Dosunmu at the golden jubilee anniversary of the Eko Club. The cultural day was a day set aside in the one-month-long anniversary celebration of the indigenous social club to showcase the rich Lagos cultures.
The cultural event attracted other high-ranking traditional rulers in the state and beyond which included the Alapin of Lagos Chief Gbolahan Odeinde and HRM Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi. The traditional rulers were unanimous in their praises for the present executives who in their estimation have achieved a lot in the Administration of the foremost indigenous social club.
According to the Alapin, “The President of the club, I greet you. He did a lot to ensure I came here. I hope you are not angry that I am mixing English with Yoruba. If we look back at 50 years, it is not a joke, and the name given to this place “Eko Club”, is powerful. Whatever a person might be searching for in Lagos, the person ought to see it at Eko Club. I greet the representatives of the gods who are seated. I also thank the members of the Eko club.
Since it’s situated within Lagos, it ought to be a citadel of knowledge, whatever one is searching for that pertains to Lagos or knowledge of Lagos State, the person would find the knowledge in Eko Club.
The pathfinders of Eko Club are to be praised because someone needs to cover his or her property.
Those who colonized us did so with everything they had within their reach, clothing, language, and different aspects.
We are in an era of civilization and the realization of many things that we ought to do so that we can uphold our cultural heritage. “If proper measures are not taken, with the way things are going, some traditional practices will be eradicated to the extent we might not hear about them and that is why, We need to practice them so we don’t forget our tradition.”
He however urged that efforts should be made to celebrate the Lagos Cultural Heritage yearly. He cited the example of the popular “Ojude Oba” festival which has gained international recognition over the years. Lagos, he added, can organize an elaborate festival like that which will project the rich cultural heritage of Lagos.
The Monarch frowns at the popular saying, that nobody owns Lagos, describing it as derogatory
“We also contribute to the popularity of this statement since we don’t have a yearly program that symbolizes our presence in Lagos and creating that awareness.
For example, during the Eyo festival, there ought to be a public holiday just like other days,” the Monarch noted.
The Erelu of Lagos Princess Dosunmu, thanked those who have been supporting the Club which she said is very obvious from the progress the club has made so far
“The club has improved tremendously since the beginning and I congratulate you for your great effort and comradeship concerning this wonderful family gathering of Lagossians. I congratulate you because many clubs have been formed since the inception of this club and some of them have gone into oblivion but you are waxing strong, making input, and adding value to your environment. I congratulate the current President for keeping the flag flying.
I remember back then I just gained a title. Mrs Fernandez and I were informed that the Eko Club would be established. At that time, we don’t attend social gatherings or functions. Anyone who knows Mrs Fernandez would know that she does not joke about upholding cultural heritage. She insisted on attending the program and convinced me to join her. We got to the hall and I am happy that today we can celebrate 50 years,” she added.
.
She recalled that the Eko club started at City Hall with few people but now it has grown tremendously with its befitting edifices
Erelu further said, “I can’t stop congratulating you and I appreciate your efforts to have built up not just a building or field but almost a village.
Our cultural heritage is our way and identity. How we uphold our culture is the way other people will value our culture. If we leave it for strangers, they would trample on it, making it look worthless. If we make it inferior, other people will look down on us”.
It was indeed the showcasing of the rich cultures of Lagos that you never imagined was on display at the Eko Club 50 Years Cultural Day. The peak of the event was the performance of Ojee Ayoka of the Lagos Island and masquerade dancers which dominated the scene to the amazement of everyone.
The frightening displays of the San Gbeto troupe from Egun were the climax and the day’s event was brought to a crescendo with Saheed Osupa’s life performances.
