On Sunday 13th October 2019 Up Asso will be having its Annual presidential night and investiture of patron and 2 VIP members. It is going to be a Grand event. Let’s tell you a little more about the club.
In the mid-fifties, some young school boys of like minds living in the Mainland area of Lagos were said to have been interacting through school Inter-house Sport. Between 1957 and 1959 most of them were in post-primary institution laying the foundation for their futures lives, but still getting together during vacations by socializing at the Ambassador Hotel Tea Time gigs for students alike. At first, Bobby Benson has on the Band Stand and then, Chief Bill Friday and Ambassador Beats took over.
From 1961, most of them started travelling abroad and especially to London particularly to further their studies. They started getting together once again to form their usual Weekend Gigs on rotational basis at their residences enjoying Nigerian music etc. As the year rolled by, they started traveling back from abroad after the completion of their studies to join hands in national reconstruction after the Civil war which ended in the early seventies. They continued their usual partying, but at this, the Gigs Band in vogue were Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade & his African Beats, mostly dominating the music scenes.
In December 1978, however, they were invited to Ikorodu Town by Mr. Kunle Adesanya (Liberty) now Otunba JP, for the Introduction ceremony of his wife (now deceased) and on leaving the party, the idea of forming a power club was born and majority of them came to Ezekiel Street, home of Alhaji Fatai Irawo where the Inaugural Meeting was held and Protem Officers were selected, namely:
(1) Alhaji Sule Onabiyi -Chairman (2) Otunba Adeleke Adesina-President (3) Engr. Akin A. Abiola-Vice President (4) Mr. Kunle Adesanya (liberty) JP-General Secretary (5) Prince Ayinde Adesiyan (Deceased) -Social Secretary (6) Alhaji Fatai Irawo-Treasure Financial Secretary (7) Mr. Sunday Adigun-Member (8) Evangelist Kola Sanyaolu-Member
As time went by, other like minded young socialites dominating the social scene of Lagos were invited:
and they joined, namely: (9) Prince GabbyYadua (10) Mr. J B. Aremu Amusan (11) Alhaji Rasaki Adebiyi (Late) (12) Dr. Foluso Badejo (Late) (13) Mr. Salisu Raji Fuja (Late) (14) Mr. Sola Adeyemi (15) OtunbaYomi Nubi (16) Otunba Johnson Fasawe (17) Barr. Adewopo (Late).
It was this period that “ASSO” was formalized by a Constitution which was unanimously approved. The main thrust of the constitution was to guide the conduct of members. Admission of new members and most importantly improve member’s welfare. Very strict Admission requirement for Men only, above 35years were rigorously employed and prevented the rush of new members. Their Motto is “United We Are” and the Slogan is “UP ASSO” The Logo of the club depicts its Motto and it is expressed in a design incorporating two friends embracing each other.
The principalAims and Objectives of the club among others are:
(a) To promote and foster a sustained spirit of friendliness and mutual understanding among its members.
(b) To promote intellectual, social and recreational interests of its members. (c) To show genuine interests generally in the social activities of its members and particularly to assist members both morally and financially if and where necessary. (d) To seek or accepts desirable and possible reciprocal membership with other clubs having similar Aims and Objectives.
(1) The membership of the club is opened to all male adults of very good character normally residence within the boundaries ofthe Federal republic of Nigeria who on the date of Application shall not be less than Thirty Five (35) years old irrespective of his religion, tribe or political party, provided he accept the Group Membership. (b) The club does not accept Group Membership (c) There are two club (2) categories of membership (i)Full membership (iii) Country Membership (ii) Temporary Membership (iv) Distant Membership
The club house situated at plot 88, Ikorodu Road, Maryland remains their symbol of Unity and Togetherness. This was actualized after a historic motion by Mr. Yomi Nubi (now Otunba), facilitated by Alhaji (Chief) Fatai Irawo (now Kabiyesi, Oba Fatai Ogunsi, Akinwunmi I, Oba of Odi-Olowo, Lagos State) for the purchase of a suitable land for the development of a beffiting club house. The movement to this site was at first into a Temporary Shell, but which was transformed into the present structure that was officially opened in 1996. All cost were borne by selfless contributions of members which is still on-going till date.
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