The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; a former First Lady of Oyo State, Kemi Alao-Akala, and the lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Remi Oseni, among others, have canvassed support for the Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC) to raise a sum of N750 million in commemoration of its 100 years.
 
They made the call during the centennial celebration of the 1925 Ibadan Tennis Club (ITC) luncheon, lecture, and N750 million fundraising events at Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, the Oyo State.
 
Oba Olakulehin was represented by Dr Mogaji Ilori Alabi Koleoso, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, was represented by the Agbolu of Agbaje, Ile- Ife, Adekunle Adebowale.

At the event, which also had in attendance the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ajeniyi Ajewole, the chairman of the day, Oseni, commended the club for its century-long contributions to community development, stressing that its efforts in societal upliftment cannot be overstated.

He urged Nigerians to embrace sports as a pathway to better health, stating that wellness goes beyond medication and that sporting activities remain a natural and effective way to stay fit, healthy, and prolong life.
 
Earlier, the president of the 1925 Ibadan Tennis Club, Dr. Oladipupo Sule, described the club as a heritage-rich indigenous institution. He said that marking 100 years is not just a celebration of longevity but also of resilience, continuity, and relevance in community development.
 
He said: “Our club prides itself in giving back to the community, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare delivery, hence, the purpose of today’s centennial launch was to raise funds to be channelled towards this cause, along with sporting and infrastructural development.”
 
The wife of the former governor of Oyo State, Mrs Kemi Alao-Akala, said her husband, who was the Grand Patron of the club, held it in high regard and was committed to its growth.

She prayed that the club would continue to flourish for generations to come.
 
The lecture with the theme: “The Burgle Blast of Financial Technology in Nigerian Economic Space: Perspective, Choice and Implications,” was delivered by the Deputy Director of Payment System of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Isaiah Ademola Adeleke.