Lagos Country Club celebrates Lagos at 50

Eminent Nigerians have continued to tell of the importance of Lagos to the country and the opportunity it offers to both indigenes and non-indigenes residing in the state.

Among those who sang the praise of the state created 50 years ago are Dr. Oluyomi Finnih of Finnih Medical Centre; President of Lagos Country Club Tajudeen Adegboyega Akande; Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Francis Babatunde Oke, at an event organized by the Lagos Country Club in commemoration of Lagos at 50 and 68 years of the club.

According to the President of Lagos Country Club, Tajudeen Adegboyega Akande, “Lagos is different from other states in Nigeria to the extent that it’s only in Lagos that wherever you come from, you are just part of the society, able to blend with the trend and thrive within a short period of stay. Nobody cares about where you come from, that is the uniqueness of Lagos, where every culture mixes and everybody feels comfortable being part of the society.

On celebrating Lagos at 50 months after the main celebration was done, he said “we are doing it now because Lagos Country Club birthday is in August.

Lagos country club is unique; there are so many clubs in Lagos but there is only one country club so, we decided that we want to celebrate Lagos in a unique way so, we made it to coincide with our own birthday thus, we can have an extended celebration.

On the club clocking 68, he said ‘‘for anybody either human or a corporate entity, to survive 68 years is not a joke; there must be something that is sustaining you. The club itself like Lagos as a society is a melting point of different culture, ethnicity and people with different ideas on how to get things done. 68 years for us is a big deal because looking back to when the club was founded in 1949, and see the kind of facility we’ve put in place for recreation, sports, and for social interaction you felt very good to be here better than it was ten years ago so, we thought it is worth celebrating and that’s exactly what we have done

On his part, Finnih who was the guest speaker at the occasion, while speaking on the topic Eko In My Eyes said, “I’m a Lagosian ‘through and through’ from all sides, born and bred, nurtured and have my children here and so as my parents before they change position. There is so much to say about Lagos, it’s a city where if you know how to live your life with some control, you’ll get maximum benefit, but if you do it in excess, you will lose virtually everything.

My ability to grow has to do with the fact that I grow up here and I saw those who are overdoing things and how they ended up so, Lagos is a very happy place to be and we all love each other here, the way we should continue to do.

Finnih also advised, “what we hope for is that the hate trend going on should just be buried and people should start loving each other again the way we’re known for, but if we continue with this ‘I hate you, you hate me trend, we are going to destroy ourselves and nobody is going to be a win at the end of the day.

“We are all Nigerians, let us live with that spirit that we are all Nigerians and we are going to live and die as Nigerian. Giving an overview of the event, Chairman of Onigbongbo local council development area (LCDA), Francis Babatunde Oke who is also a member of the club, said, “celebrating Lagos is a continuous thing. I came to Lagos at the age of four and I’ve been staying and working in Lagos since; my dreams are coming true. I am a Lagosian and there is no denying the fact that Lagos is accommodating and remain home for all.