Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is expected to lead other dignitaries to the 40th anniversary of the famous social club, Association of Friends, which kicks off on Monday, November 12, 2018 with a Public Lecture in Lagos.
The lecture entitled; “Restructuring, To Be Or Not To Be” will also be graced by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, royal fathers, captains of Industries, politicians and professionals.
The Secretary of the Club, Otunba Bayo Babatunde, who stated this in a press release, which he personally signed, listed other programmes for the 40th anniversary celebration to include Community Health Intervention within the Maryland, Mende and Onigbongbo neighbourhood in Lagos as well as a visitation to an orphanage.
Babatunde added that the club shall be hosting the Anniversary Business Summit on Tuesday, November 13 and that on Thursday, 15th November, the finals of the anniversary games will be played and medals and trophies will be awarded to winners.
“An inter-religious prayer session will take place in the morning of Friday November 16, while in the evening, the Club will host friends, and well-wishers to a special Anniversary Suya Night in honour of the Founders/Elders of the club, while a distinguished member, Dr. Adewale Ayuba will be on the band stand.
“The Anniversary Gala Night will take place on Sunday 18th November, where the pioneer members will be honoured and new members inducted in a mixed programme of fun, comedy and music extravaganza with another distinguished member, King Sunny Ade on the band stand,” he stated.
The Secretary recalled that the Association of Friends, popularly known as “Up Asso” came out of a vision of some young men, adding that eight of them decided in 1978 to concretize their fledging relationship and dominance of social space into a sustainable institution that will outlive them.
He gave the names of the then young men, who he said are now in their late 70s and early 80s, as Alhaji Sule Onabiyi, Otunba (Arc) Festus Adeleke Adesina, Engr Akinlawon Akanni Abiola, Oba Fatai Irawo-Ogunsi, the late Prince Ayinde Adesiyan, Evangelist Kola Sanyaolu, and Mr. Sunday Adigun.
“As the name implies, “Association of Friends” was formed by Jolly childhood friends and you have to be recommended by two friends amongst other qualities before admission into probation in the Club. “That condition precedence is maintained as an integral part of our admission policy.
“Our membership include an elected ex-governor, royal fathers, serving Right Honourable Speaker and distinguished legislators (serving and past), captains of industries, retired security top chiefs, honourary commissioners, directors and senior management of corporate giants, high ranking politicians and commercial entrepreneurs amongst others,” he said.
