The Lagos Country Club is the foremost family club in Nigeria which was officially founded on 3rd, August 1949. It has a membership strength of over 14,000. It was set up to promote the recreational and social interest of members, so also to promote inter-ethnic and inter-racial understanding amongst people.
Membership spreads across all the ethnic groups and is made up of people from different professions, businesses, political groups and royalty. It has an impressive list of eminent personalities as distinguished members, Patrons & Vice Patrons.
Let’s tell you about some of them. The Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi is one of them. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, is a Patron, so also the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. There are other royal fathers like Oba Adedotun Gbadebo (the Alake of Egbaland), the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Osile of Oke Ona (Oba Adedapo Tejuosho and the Olu of Mushin (Oba Fatai Aileru).
Let’s add other prominent Nigerians like Chief Kessington Adebutu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Chief Rasaq Okoya, Sir Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chief (Mrs.) Bolaji Osomo, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Chief Allen Williams, Chief (Hon.) Adeshina, Barrister Akin Akintoye, Deacon John Adeyemi Soetan, Otunba Wale Dada Bello, Dr. Oluyomi Finnih and Chief Oliver Ogbonna to mention a few. There is also Chief Babatunde Okunuga, the former President of the Club (2008-2011). He was the DG of the Lagos Country Club’s 70th Anniversary Committee. The club is 72 now.
Also on the list are other eminent Nigerians like former head of state, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former professional footballer, Segun Odegbami, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, member House of Reps, Chamberlain Usoh, Producer & News Anchor Channel TV, Hon. Bola Oyebamiji, the current Commissioner of Finance, Osun State and Dr. Wale Ahmed, the current Commissioner of Local Govt Affairs, Lagos.
The current President of the club is Architect Funmi Bamkole. He assumed office 11 months ago. He is the MD of Holdman & Dot Nig. Ltd and he holds a Masters degree in Architecture from the Obafemi Awolowo University.
Many don’t know that Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu is also a member, just like Air Commodore Luke Ochulor, the former Military Administrator, Delta State. Prof. Olufemi Peters, the current VC of National Open University is also a member. Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan is another life member.
Other members include Prince Olusegun Adesegun, Chika Momah, former Nigeria and Confederation of Africa Tennis, President, Michelle Obi (Sports Analyst), Alero Edu, (Channels TV Presenter), Brig General B.T. Oginni, rtd (former Director, Dept of Co-ordination, Nigeria Army) and Maj. Gen. Jide Ogunlade (Multinational Joint Task Force Commanding Officer Chad). Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) is also a member. Let’s also add, Hon. David Satonji (Lagos House of Assembly), Gabriel Ogbeche (Rain Oil CEO), Serena Teluwo (Nigeria Junior National Tennis Player, Olamide Aluko (Nigeria Junior Tennis Player).
There are other prominent Club members who have been members of the Management Council. Mr. Tajudeen Akande, Mr. Ayokunle Sufian Jimoh (Secretary-General) Mr. Bolarinwa Akapo (former Treasurer), Mr. Niran Fafowora (former Membership Secretary), Mr. Adewole Folarin (former Social Secretary), Dr. Ahmed Sanni (former Sports Secretary), Barrister Ade Adeoye (former Legal Adviser), Mr. Taiwo Oyeyemi (ex-Chairman, Other Games), Barr. Ayo Ogunsusi (ex-Chairman, Squash), Engr. Charles Osuntuyi (ex-Chairman, Table Tennis), Mr. Oderinde Adesina (ex-chairman, Scrabble), Mr. Seyi Adewunmi (ex-Chairman, Tennis), Mrs. Nimota Omope (ex-Chairman, Aerobics/Taekwondo), Engr. Tunji Amosu (ex-Chairman Darts), Mr. Vincent Olasogba (ex-Chairman, Badminton), Engr. Olafemi Olaniyan (ex-Chairman Swimming), Mr. Wole Robinson (ex-Chairman Snooker/Billards).
There is also Chief Semiu Oganla, a former Vice-President, Mr. Igho Okor (former Secretary-General), Mr. Niran Fafowora (former membership Secretary, Akinyele Akinrimisi (ex-Social Secretary), Princess Tola Oladoyin (ex-Sports Secretary), Mr. Obakoya Babatunde (ex-Council member), Engr. Obafemi Kazeen (ex-Chairman, Scrabble), Gerald Yomi Olunaike (ex-Chairman, Other Games).
There are other prominent members like the Solarin Twins who are 76. They are Adebola Kehinde Solarin and Adedeji Taiwo Solarin. There are others like Mr. Tunde Bajela, Mr. Tony Awe, Nimota Omope, Asiwaju Olasunkade Azeez, Princess Tola Adele Oladoyin, the first female Sports Secretary, Mr. Dele Oshiga (former Treasurer), Barrister Ayo Olanrewaju (Legal Adviser), Mr. Peter Mgbeahuru (former Council Member). Madam Kofo is also a member.
Chief G.A. T Ohon is also a member. He is a professional banker with over 40 years of experience in the financial sector. Dr. G.A.T. Oboh started his career with Barclays Bank (now Union Bank of Nigeria Plc) where he progressed to the helm of affairs as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank Nigeria Plc from 1999 to 2006. Chief Oboh, is a Life Member of the Lagos Country Club.
There is also Chief Allen Olumuyiwa Williams, the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Liams-Mufkay & Co Limited. An extremely intelligent man and hugely popular within the Lagos Country Club, Chief Williams is also a High chief from Mushin who holds the respected Majeoba title and is said to be very close to the traditional ruler, the Olu of Mushin, H.R.H. Oba Ailerui. He is a Life Member and former President of the club (1997-2000) and memories of his tenure is still fresh owing to the very successful and transparent stewardship he delivered.Â
Chief Lai Olumegban is also a member. He is a big-time player in the nation’s Garment industry. Chief Lai Olumegbon is the Managing Director of AAA Lai Clothiers. A successful businessman and very popular too, this gentleman is a socialite who believes in engaging in recreational activities that will ease off the pressure of a hard day’s work. Chief is a Life Member of the Lagos Country Club.
Let’s also tell you about Chief Mrs. Bolaji Osomo. This enigmatic woman with an incredibly brilliant mind was a former Minister of Housing and Urban Development during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She was, in her younger days, a very active member of the Lagos Country Club. She has since earned her position as a Life Member of the club. Her son, Wale Osomo, would later go on to become President of the club, an office he held from 2011-2014.
Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan by all parameters, was one of the finest bankers of his time. On leaving Union Bank, his last professional engagement, the undeniably enterprising Iperu-Remo High Chief with a business savvy you can’t but be impressed with, went on to set up his own private businesses and from what we can see, he’s doing extremely well. Chief Ogunmekan is President Nigeria-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and a Life member and former distinguished President of the Lagos Country Club whose tenure till date fills members with a sense of nostalgia.
Another accomplished and prominent member of the Lagos Country Club. Mr. Kayode Moradeyo holds a Masters’ degree in Industrial and Labour Relations and worked for the UPN briefly. He is the brain behind the setting up of Daewoo Motor Services in Nigeria back then. The very articulate man holds sway as one of the top shots at Kresta Laurel, the lift company. He was once the President of the Lagos Country Club.
In the Insurance Industry, particularly within the Niger Insurance Plc group, Mr. Adegoke Lawal will always be remembered by his peers as one of the most outstanding of his generation. Mr. Adegoke Lawal rose through the ranks, scooping up endless awards along the way as he climbed up the elevation ladder until he got to the peak of his career as a top manager having helped the company birth branches that are today doing exceedingly well. He has since retired and set up his own private company, a flourishing Insurance agency known as Honest Link where he functions as the Managing Director. He was once a member of the club’s Management Council and at a time was the Vice Chairman of the Darts section. He is also a life member.
 There is Chief Babatunde Okunuga. You can’t help but admire this remarkable businessman and fantastic socialite. His ability to mix with anyone and everyone regardless of his own social status stands him head and shoulder above his peers. This quality would come in handy for him when he was elected president of the Lagos Country Club from 2008 to 2011 as he carried everyone along with remarkable ease during his tenure and gave a good account of himself while in office. He was with Nigeria Airways for several years where he did exceedingly well before leaving to set up his private construction company. Mr. Okunuga is also a Life Member of the club.
Mr. Wale Osomo is one of the most intelligent and articulate minds to have occupied the office of the President of the Lagos Country Club. A lawyer by training, this very brilliant man, whose father, Chief Adekunke Osomo, was once a president of the club and his mother a former Housing Minister, has recorded great exploits as a lawyer and has also established a flourishing private school in Lagos to show also his knack for business. He was former chairman Snooker section of the club and a Life member as well.
How about Prince Tunde Olanipekun? This very accomplished personality is the former Executive Director of Finance, Fidson Nigeria Plc. After his very successful spell at Fidson, this humble gentleman and philanthropist has since set up his own company, Xti-Edwards Nigeria Limited where he holds sway as the Chairman/ Managing Director. Presently, he is the Head of the kabiyesi group, Lagos Country Club and a strong member of the Table Tennis and swimming section.
Mr. Dipo Oyetayo is a valued member. He is the General Manager Marketing, Niger Insurance Plc. Those who know him closely will tell you he is a fantastic Insurance guru and marketer whose exploits within the industry continue to marvel those who have watched him record unprecedented achievements many can only wish for. Mr. Dipo Oyetayo is a philanthropist and a strong member of the swimming section of the club.
How about the great Chuka Momoh? He remains one of the few sports enthusiasts around with an incredible knowledge of almost all of the major sports you can think of. Mr. Chuka Momoh has been around for as long as most of us can remember. He could convene a sports forum on boxing, football, basketball, tennis, etc and hold the hall spellbound with his rich and endless knowledge on any of these major sports. But his first love remains Tennis. Owing to his passion and enthusiasm for Tennis, he is today a former president of the Nigeria Tennis Federation and former President of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) He is also a Life member of Lagos Country Club.
Many don’t know Taiye Ige the CEO of Hot Sports Network, a Lagos based sports marketing outfit is a member. He is a popular television sports broadcaster who has covered dozens of major sporting events, especially football, that Nigeria participated. By all standards a household name as far as sports broadcasting is concerned, Taiye Ige was once Chairman of the Lagos Country Club’s Squash section.
Mitchell Obi, the veteran sports journalist, Mitchell Obi is a member. He came into the limelight several years back via his sports program on AIT, along with his then partner, Ejiro Omonode. Without a doubt, Mitchell has made his mark on the landscape of Nigeria Sports Journalism. Little wonder he was voted president of the African Sports Journalists Union ASJU in 2013, back in Russia. He is a very active member of the Lagos Country Club.Â
Aare Kolawole Oyefeso is a respected member. He is an elder statesman and an extremely successful businessman who serves as Managing Director and Chairman of Kotco Energy Limited. He also serves as Chairman of Kotco Power Group, a conglomerate of business outfits that are into Industrial Engineering, Electrical/Mechanical Services, etc. He is very much an active Life Member of the Lagos Country Club.
Col. C.U. Ugokwe is also a valued member. He retired from the Nigerian Army in 1985. He has since then served as former chairman, National Population Commission (NPC) and Chairman, African Population Commission (APC) and Vice-Chairman, United Nations Commission on Population and Development. He joined the Army in 1962 with General Muhammadu Buhari and General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua among other colleagues. He is also a distinguished life member of Lagos Country Club.
Chief Ukaenwe is one of the finest insurance gurus to come from this side of the planet. Chief Oliver Ogbonna spent a large chunk of years cutting his teeth in the insurance industry in the United Kingdom. While in the U.K. he worked with some of the top Insurance companies before returning home to Nigeria to make his wealth of experience available. Chief Ogbonna is a Life Member of the Lagos Country Club.
There is also Luke Chijuiba Ochulor, a retired Air Commodore. He was the first military governor of Delta State under the Babangida regime. Those who know him have described the Imo state born soldier as one of the finest of his generation. He is a life member of the Lagos Country Club.
Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi is also a valued member. He is a renowned Nigerian Pharmacist and a former Minister for Health and Human Resources. And by the way, he remains till date, the only pharmacist to have occupied that exalted office. Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi is the owner and founder of the incredibly successful Juli Pharmacy. Yes, you guessed right, he is not just a member of the Lagos Country Club, he’s also a life member.
There is also Alhaji B.A. Dawodu. He is a successful lawyer by any means, Alhaji Dawodu excelled in his law profession and was hugely respected amongst his contemporaries. He was once the Secretary-General of the Island Club, Lagos. He is also a Life Member of the Lagos Country Club.Â
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