Kehinde Adeleye
Former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed that during his term of office from 2007 to 2015, he instructed his aides and commissioners to become members of various social clubs across the state.
This directive was issued with the intention of fostering greater communication between the government and the general public.
By having his administration’s representatives embedded in these social clubs, Fashola believed that they could actively disseminate information about government policies and activities, increasing transparency and engagement with the people.
“During our administration, I mandated my aides and commissioners to join social clubs in Lagos so they could gain insights and educate people about government policies wherever discussions were taking place,” Fashola said.
Fashola, who also served as a former minister and is a patron of the Eko Club, shared these insights during the club’s 50th-anniversary lecture last Wednesday.
The lecture was titled “The Role of Social Clubs in Social Engineering.”
Former Governor Fashola highlighted the pivotal role that common interests play in social clubs, encouraging the members of Eko Club to revitalize their commitment to sporting activities.
Fashola emphasized that sports, often overlooked, can be a powerful tool in combating youth unemployment, especially in an environment where job opportunities are scarce.
By emphasizing the importance of sports, Fashola highlights the potential for social clubs to not only serve as venues for recreation and social interaction but also as catalysts for economic growth and community development.
“Eko Club must return to its sporting objectives and lead the revival of youth inter-club competitions. We cannot rely solely on government efforts for the success of our athletes at international sports events,” he said.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also called for the club to be more engaged in matters of public interest.
He added that Eko Club should expand its role beyond hosting events and be more involved in societal issues.
“It is my humble view that we have been somewhat detached from issues that affect our common interests. Eko Club is too significant and prestigious to be known merely as a venue for parties, anniversaries, and weddings, important as these may be to social engineering,” Fashola remarked.
He encouraged the club to focus on its future rather than dwelling excessively on its past, advising them to prioritize the next 50 years of development.
