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ne w s a b o u t the c l u b , o u ts i d e an d w i th i n
Paying homage
M
embers of the General Committee led by Mr. Richard Giwa-Osagie left the premises of Ikoyi Club 1938 in a two-car convoy at 6.25pm on 16 June to keep a 7pm appointment with the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akinlolu, Olowo Eko (owner of the riches of Lagos). We arrived at the palace and were quickly processed into the cosy Reception lounge. Pretty soon, Entertainment Chairman Jide Adeola, at home in the palace, made the royal guests ultracomfortable. Palace staff brought out an array of assorted drinks, from chilled water to vintage red wines. The lavish refreshment over, “Royal Ambassador” Adeola announced that the Kabiyesi would now receive us. We filed into another palatial room, larger and appeared to be the living room of the Kabiyesi. There already seated were a few chiefs...and five minutes later, the Oba joined us in his majesty. The Oba insisted we have to pray before anything else. The spirit moved “Brother” Owolabi, the Table-tennis Chairman, who said a l-e-n-g-t-h-y prayer....Thereafter, Mr Giwa-Osagie took the floor to address the monarch. As soon as he uttered “Kabiyesi” (The One Who Can’t Be Questioned) Oba Akiolu cut him short noting that it is only the Almighty Allah who deserves that appellation. The chairman took note...and continued his speech rendered in the English Language spiced with smattering Yoruba – which made a seated chief to remind the Oba that the chairman is one of his own – from the Benin Kingdom. The Oba
agreed but pointed out that his own kinsmen arrived Lagos over 500 years ago whereas it appeared the chairman represented those who remained in Benin. The chairman went on to introduce his entourage, after which the Oba formally welcomed us to the palace. He stated that the palace was over 500 years old and that Lagos welcomes everybody to prosperity but will not condone “nonsense” from anybody. The Oba added that the traditional and spiritual character of Lagos was such that visitors, more often than not, prosper than indigenes, citing the examples of today’s successful “Lagosians” who arrived Lagos virtually naked and with nowhere to sleep at night but under the bridges but who have gone ahead to prosper in life. All the while, we were still enjoying the royal hospitality with more wine, champagne and other non-alcoholic beverages and roast goat meat. Affirming that recreation is crucial to healthy living, the Oba stated that but for Providence both the Ikoyi Club 1938 and the Polo Club would have been converted to schools by a past Lagos government. He revealed that he had visited Ikoyi Club 1938 incognito for
below: WITH ROYAL RESPECTS... FROM IKOYI CLUB... THE CHAIRMAN, SUPPORTED BY THE VICE CHAIRMAN, PRESENTS A GIFT TO OBA AKIOLU; bottom: GROUP PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE KING
over eight times but that henceforth he would be there once invited. After about an hour, it was time to leave but not without a group photograph with the Oba in the Royal Courtyard. The team departed the palace after the photographs at about 10pm. The chairman presented modest gifts to the Kabiyesi and also gave tokens (“shook body”) to the sundry palace boys before we departed. Back in the car, members requested that having had a good outing we should retire to the cosiness of the 44 Restaurant within the Club premises for a night-cap but the chairman responded to type – it’s not in the budget. - Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi
harmony
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