The importance of social clubs in the development of the society cannot be overemphasized, said the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat noting they play a crucial role in reshaping and strengthening the community.
Dr. Hamzat who spoke on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive of Ikoyi Club 1938 to his Office at the Roundhouse, Alausa, Ikeja, stated that they foster connection, promote personal growth, and encourage collective progress and initiatives.
According to him, “Clubs like yours are extremely important. It helps the fabric of the society and has people from different backgrounds, diverse opinions, and so on in it as they help to reshape the society for the better,” he said, adding that what the clubs do is important for Lagos and the country.
Besides, the Deputy Governor noted that their ability to transform and uplift the nation through social cohesion is indispensable. He therefore charged them to use the club to help build the nation as they are an important part of the society.
He stressed further that the organization should help mode and moderate public opinions, discuss issues without being abusive, and let the more intelligent topic take the most of the discussion because people see things from different lenses.
Reiterating that the country’s problem is the negative public commentary as it modes people’s opinions on issues affecting the country, he said Lagos is doing a lot of things in terms of engaging the youth and providing them with the facilities they need to survive in the modern age of technology. Hamzat stated that Lagos wants to become the Financial Centre of Africa, which means it will have a free trade zone for financial services.
“Beyond that, Lagos is the first city in Africa to attend the Lord’s Mayor Show over the past 300 years, where the state was able to showcase its heritage and culture to the world,” said the Deputy Governor.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Ikoyi Club, Mr. Mustafa Zibiru-Aliu stated that the purpose of the visit is to invite the Deputy Governor to the club’s 86th anniversary and to be the keynote speaker at the event with the theme “Ikoyi Club: Repositioning for Modern Age.”
Mr. Mustafa added that the club wants to change the narrative of the people that the Ikoyi Club is for the old men and not the youth. “We are inviting you to tell people that believe that our club is for old men and not the youth. We want them to know that the club is repositioning itself to the modern age which is for everyone, irrespective of age, background, and so on,” he said.
