Ikoyi Club 1938 ends 88th anniversary celebrations

Ikoyi Club 1938 has ended its week-long 88th anniversary celebrations with an Anniversary Gala on the Main Lawn on Sunday, October 4, closing events that began on September 28 under the theme “Legacy in Motion”.

The Lagos club opened the week on Monday with a Media Connect event at its Rotunda, where it unveiled the official anniversary logo. The event drew entertainers and media personalities, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Shaffy Bello, Ireti Doyle, Sola Sobowale, Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Elizabeth Benson, Ekpeyong Bassey and Muyiwa Ademola. Several of them received awards for their contributions to the media and entertainment industry.

Officials present included the club Chairman, Akinwunmi Akintola, Vice Chairman and Anniversary Committee Chairman Bolaji Martins, Golf Captain Afolabi Balogun, and General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Dr Babajide Orungbeja.

Akintola, who has been a member for more than six decades, said the celebration was as much about the future as the past. “For 88 years, generations of members have built, nurtured and preserved this club. They have given us traditions, friendship, values and an institution of which we can all be proud. But a legacy is not something that belongs only to the past. It is something we inherit, protect and continue to develop for those who come after us,” he said.

He described the logo as “a visual representation of our theme, our heritage and our continuing journey”, and paid tribute to the media and creative industries. “Through your talent, creativity and hard work, you have helped put Nigeria on the global stage,” he said. He added that the club would keep its traditions while embracing new ideas and technologies. He declared the week open with the words: “88 years behind us, a living legacy before us, and a future we continue to build together.”

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Martins said hosting so many entertainers was “the honour of a lifetime”. “We are honoured to have such assets and treasures, people who have brought laughter to us. Thank you so much,” he said.

Competitive tournaments filled the sporting calendar, with members contesting honours across the club’s sections. The club has eight sporting sections, including golf, lawn tennis, swimming, squash, badminton and table tennis. Top performers received trophies and awards at the closing gala.

The programme also featured a colloquium titled “The Ikoyi Club Story”, a Staff Talent Showcase, Banking and Finance Day, an art exhibition and auction, an Elders’ Party and Digital Night, and Ladies’ Night, which was themed around table tennis. A Real Estate Expo, a health walk, Global Cultural Day, Foods of the World and a Diversity Night with Caribbean, Indian and European themes completed the week. Veteran musician Ebenezer Obey was billed to perform at one of the events.

The gala night featured dining, live music and addresses by the club’s leadership.

The club was formed through the merger of the European Club and the Lagos Club on September 29, 1938.