Events
Gala Nite 2022
PROTOCOLS Your Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adedokun Abolarin, Aroyinkeye 1, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Distinguished Fellow Diners Our very supportive and understanding Spouses Eminent Guests
OPENING
I am indeed highly elated to see the array of people seated here this evening for the 2022 Gala Nite of our Club which last held on November 29, 2019 when His Royal Highness, Oba Dr. Adetayo Haastrup, Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa was the Guest Speaker. Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 made us skip the annual event while the fear of Covid-19 by members caused the non-hosting of 2021 Gala Nite. Tonight’s event is the handiwork of some fearless members who at the July 2022 meeting directed the Executive Committee to ensure we reverted to hosting our spouses and guests again this year. I doff my cap to these members for their courage to scare Covid out of our midst rather than allowing Covid to deprive us of our rights and pleasure.
I especially welcome our Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adedokun Abolarin, having been raised in Gbenla, Agugu, Agodi and The Polytechnic, back home in Ibadan. I remember when you were part of us, as boys around town. Your revolutionary inputs into royalty in Oke-Ila and Yorubaland are well appreciated. Olodumare will continue to grant you wisdom and the wherewithal along with good health and strength to steer the ship of Oke-Ila while taking the people and the indigent but brilliant young ones to greater heights.
Please permit me to also recognize the spouses of some of our deceased members here present with us tonight.
OUR CLUB
Ibadan Dining Club, a league of gentlemen, was formed in the 1940s with the objective to afford an opportunity for members to meet one another socially at Dinner or Luncheon at least once a month.
The early members of the Club were drawn mainly from the colonial civil services; the foreign service, the academia and the business world, in Ibadan and its environs. They included Chief Simeon Adebo, a foremost administrator and Head of Service of Western Region; Sir Olumuyiwa Jibowu, then Chief Justice of Western Region; Honorable Justice R.A. Doherty, a Judge of the Western Region judiciary, Chief S. Ade-Ojo, of the Western Region civil service; Professor Oladele Ajose, the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The Ibadan DiningClub continues to live up to the ideals of the founding fathers. Through the Club, more harmonious relationship has since been fostered among Nigerians and non-Nigerians in top positions as well as between the public, including Agencies of Government and private sectors/individuals in Ibadan and its environs. Current membership of the Club includes Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Emeritus Archbishop Alaba Job, Dr.Tony Marinho Dr.Olutunde Oni, General Oladayo Popoola (retd), General S. Tuoyo (retd), Brig, Gen Ola Oni (retd), many academics and other professionals as you must have noted during the self-introduction session.
We meet on the last Monday of every month except in November when we host our spouses and other guests at a Gala Nite. No meeting is held in December. During our meetings, over dinner and drinks we discuss pertinent current issues in the economy, health and business while political matters are avoided. Suggestions at our meeting have been found to be useful to some government agencies and foreign embassies in Nigeria. Membership is open to respectable and responsible gentlemen who get invited to our meetings by current members. Their conducts and comportment are observed over a period of time, before they can be admitted as members.
At this point, I will like to specially recognize and appreciate Dr. Kolade Mosuru for being the member that sponsored highest number of guests (four) at Club meetings in year 2022, with a view to admitting them as members.
Tonight, we shall listen to a Royal message, be treated to some music and dance, dine and wine; and all the females here this evening will go home with at least a takeaway to serve as a memorial for leaving the comfort of your homes to be with us. I will like appreciate all our members who have donated cash in various sums and other items as gifts for our spouses and female guests, for their kind gestures. Your Royal Majesty, Distinguished Fellow Diners, our spouses and guests, please feel relaxed, interact and enjoy the rest of the evening with us.
ADETUNJI ADEPEJU
Chairman, Ibadan Dining Club
November 25, 2022
ALAIYELUWA OBA (DR.) ADEDOKUN ABOLARIN, AROYINKEYE I
ÒRÀNGÚN OF ÒKÈ-ÌLÁ-ÒRÀNGÚN
Oba Adedokun Abolarin was born into the Obasolo Ruling House, one of the three ruling houses in Òkè-Ìlá-Òràngún, Ifedayo Local Government area of Osun State.
He obtained his First Degree in Political Science from the University of Ife (formerly University of Ife). Upon completion of his mandatory one-year service, he took up a lecturing job at the now defunct Oyo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS), Ile-Ife. where he taught Government as a subject.
He went back to the University to pick up a Law Degree and after leaving the Nigerian Law School, he set up his own practice - Dokun Abolarin & Co. He later moved to Abuja and became the Legal Adviser to Senator Anyim Pius Ayim, the then Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As is traditional among the Yoruba for a new king or monarch, Oba Adedokun Abolarin chose at his installation the “reign name” Aroyinkeye I, translating as “one who finds honey to tend the title”.
Oba Abolarin was the former Chairman of the Osun State Council of Arts and Culture. He is also a member of the 15-member committee of the Osun State Directorate of Amotekun.
Oba Abolarin is the Founder of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila-Orangun, State of Osun, a school set up to fight poverty through education and strictly for indigent students of Nigeria. He is also a member of the College’s teaching staff and he teaches Government as a subject to Senior Secondary students, who he also instructs on styles and etiquette.
Kabiyesi has contributed to the improvement of lives of people within and outside his domain. His culture of teaching, counselling and mobilizing everyone for civic responsibilities can never be overemphasized.
Professor Adeola Adenikinju
Guest Speaker
Gala Nite 2023
Gala Nite 2024
Held on NOVEMBER 29, 2024 AT MARCHFORTE COURTYARD HOTEL & SUITES, IBADAN
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME ADDRESS
PROTOCOLS
Distinguished Fellow Diners
Our very supportive and understanding Spouses
Eminent Guests
I am indeed highly elated to see the array of people seated here this evening for the 2024 Gala Nite of our Club.
OUR CLUB
Ibadan Dining Club, a league of gentlemen, was formed in the 1940s with the objective to afford an opportunity for members to meet one another socially at Dinner or Luncheon at least once a month.
The early members of the Club were drawn mainly from the colonial civil services; the foreign service, the academia and the business world, in Ibadan and its environs. They included Chief Simeon Adebo, a foremost administrator and Head of Service of Western Region; Sir Olumuyiwa Jibowu, then Chief Justice of Western Region; Honourable Justice R.A. Doherty, a Judge of the Western Region judiciary, Chief S. Ade-Ojo, of the Western Region civil service; Professor Oladele Ajose, the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The Ibadan Dining Club continues to live up to the ideals of the founding fathers. Through the Club, more harmonious relationship has since been fostered among Nigerians and non-Nigerians in top positions as well as between the public, including Agencies of Government and private sectors/individuals in Ibadan and its environs. Current membership of the Club includes, Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, Emeritus Archbishop Felix Alaba Job, Dr. Anthony Marinho, General Oladayo Popoola (retd), Brig, Gen Ola Oni (retd), Colonel Anifowose (retd); Emeritus Professor Onadeko, Mr. Tunde Aiku SAN, Professor Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa, Mr. Abel Abimbola, Architect Muyiwa Ige and many academics and other professionals from various fields of expertise, in the community.
Some of our deceased members are Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, Professor J. F. Ade Ajayi, Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande, Archdeacon Abiodun Iluyomade, Engr. C.S. O. Akande, General S. Tuoyo (retd), High Chief A. D. S. Odigie, Mr. Anthony Aneni, Over the years, we have enjoyed the company of the sitting Ambassador of United States of America, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Mechanised Division of Nigeria Army, the Commissioner of Police, The State Director, Department of State Services, Comptroller of Immigration, who are statutory members of the Club, along with other heads of Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, resident in Ibadan.
We meet on the last Monday of every month except in November when we host our spouses and other guests at a Gala Nite. No meeting is held in December. We hold our meetings in hotels and other high-profile restaurants, where we consider secure and befitting for the ideals of the Club and members. During our meetings, over dinner and drinks we discuss pertinent current issues in the economy, health and business while political matters are avoided. Suggestions at our meeting have been found to be useful to some government agencies and foreign embassies in Nigeria.
At each meeting, we listen to invited guests and members to speak on non-political, non-religious issues that may benefit members. At the October meeting, we had the benefits of having some security tips given by two of our guests.
I am pleased to inform you that we had improved attendance at our meeting this outgoing year.
Outgoing 2024 - Milestone Celebrations
General Oladayo Popoola - 80th birthday in March
Engineer Akinjo - 80th April
Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo - 90th on May 2, 2024
Archbishop Felix Alaba Job - 86th in June
Oba Kolawole Adegbola got elevated on August 30, 2024 in the Olubadan of Ibadanland heirachy
Ibadan Dining Club and Educare Trust
As you may be aware, the visioner of Educare Trust, Dr. Anthony Marinho, the NGO that has played a responsible role in the development of the ‘Youth and Community’ showing that much can be achieved with little provided the will is strong., has been supporting and encouraging good citizenship among the youths. In the past 30 years of the Trust’s laudable achievements, individual members of Dining Club have been serving in various roles and contributed financially towards the running to the organisation. I must mention Chief Dr. Raymond Zard, Prof. Ayo Banjo, Mr. Wale Olaniawo, Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, Dr. Kolade Mosuro, Dr. Olutunde Oni, Col. Anifowose, and of course, Dr. Tokunbo Abiose (Chairman) and Architect Sunkanmi Onadeko (Secretary) as well as Mr. Funso Ogunkeye, the Legal Adviser. Names of many Diners are listed in the ABC of Donors on the Trust’s website.
I am pleased to inform you that a new Board of Trustees for Educare Trust was put in place in October 2024 at the 30th anniversary celebration. The members are Adetunji Adepeju (Chairman), Gbenro Adegbola (Member), and Sir. Muyiwa Ige (Member) - all members of Ibadan Dining Club.
I will like to use this opportunity to solicit for your continuing support to Educare Trust.
Transitions
Mrs. Aderonke Mosuro, spouse of Mr. Ayodeji Mosuro
Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo May 22, 2024 (we were to hold him to a Special Dinner session on May 27, 2024)
Chief Raymond Zard July 2024 in Lebanon (supplied poultry products at our past Gala Nite events)
Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola JSC (Guest Speaker at our 2018 Gala Nite)
Mama Tsaegbe Tuoyo, spouse of late Brigadier General Tuoyo
Guest Speakers at previous Gala Nites
General Oladayo Popoola (retd), (former Military Governor of Oyo and Ogun States); Dr. Jane Adebusuyi, (Professor of Medical Social Work); Sir Ademola Aladekomo (Chairman Of Chams Plc); Oba Dr. Adetayo Hastrup, the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa; Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila; Professor Adeola Adenikinju, (President of Nigerian Economic Society); and late Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, (formerly of the Supreme Court and Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission) amongst other distinguished eminent personalities had been Guest Speakers at our previous Gala Nite anniversaries.
Donors for 2024 Gala Nite
I wish to appreciate Colonel Anifowose, Professor Femi Ogunbiyi, Professor Arowojolu, Rev. Adepoju, Dr. Adegebo, Mr. Funso Ogunkeye, Mr. Demola Are, Hon. Abayomi Oke among others for the cash donation towards the hosting of this event.
As usual, all our female guests shall have a “take-away” from this Gala Nite.
Membership
Membership is open to respectable and responsible gentlemen who get invited to our meetings by current members. Their conducts and comportment are observed over a period of time, before they can be admitted as members at properly designated meeting for admission of new members.
Induction of New Members
At the October 2024 meeting two guests, namely Professor Bekibele and Professor Abiodun Adeyinka were admitted as members and shall shortly be formally inducted.
Please enjoy the rest of the evening
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and most prosperous 2025. You are most welcome.
ADETUNJI ADEPEJU
Chairman, Ibadan Dining Club
29 November 2024
