L-R Vice-Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club, Mr. Babatunde Sobamowo; Chairman, Chief Olawumi Gasper; guest lecturer, Prof. Peter Fatomilola; and past Chairman, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, during the 100th Anniversary Cultural Colloquium in Lagos, on Tuesday
By Kayode Olopade
As the Yoruba Tennis Club (YTC), Onikan, Lagos, marks its centenary, the club's leadership, scholars and cultural figures have called for the preservation of truth, integrity, good character and Yoruba cultural values as pillars for sustaining the institution and society.
The call was made on Tuesday at the Cultural Colloquium organised by the club as part of activities marking its Centenary Cultural Week, held under the theme, “100 Years of Brotherhood, Culture and Continuity.”
Delivering a lecture titled “Ayanmo (Destiny),” renowned dramatist, actor, playwright and academic, Professor Peter Fatomilola, urged members to make truthfulness a cornerstone of their relationships, families and institutions.
Fatomilola said the survival of the club for 100 years was not merely a product of time, but a reflection of the values and integrity that had guided its members across generations.
He urged the club to use the centenary celebration as an opportunity to reflect on the principles of its founding fathers and deliberately transmit them to younger generations.
The veteran theatre practitioner stressed that truth and integrity remained essential to responsible living and a stable society, urging members to demonstrate these values in their personal and institutional dealings.
Also speaking, former Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, LCDA, who also doublee as the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Somolu Federal Constituency, Hon. Kolade Alabi, reinforced Fatomilola's call for good character, urging Nigerians to uphold the Yoruba Omoluabi ethos.
Alabi said integrity, responsibility, respect and good character were central to the philosophy of the founding fathers of the YTC and remained relevant to contemporary society.
While commending the Centenary Cultural Week organising committee, he said adherence to the Omoluabi ethos was particularly important for leaders, whether in politics, traditional institutions or public governance.
He said people entrusted with leadership positions must demonstrate character and uphold values capable of earning the confidence and respect of the people.
Alabi urged members and younger generations to preserve the club's legacy by making the Omoluabi values part of their everyday conduct.
Earlier in his remarks at the event, Chairman of the YTC, Chief Olawumi Gasper, said the colloquium was designed to provide an intellectual platform for reflection on Yoruba traditions and culture, while celebrating the club's contributions to community leadership and preservation of the Yoruba cultural narrative over the past century.
According to him, the centenary was a significant milestone in the history of the club, which had lined up a series of distinguished events under its Centenary Cultural Week to commemorate the occasion.
“The club is celebrating a landmark milestone this year, our centenary anniversary, marking 100 years of community leadership and the preservation of our rich cultural narrative,” Gasper said.
Also speaking during a panel discussion, Professor of History, Habeeb Abiodun Sanni, examined the historical significance of the club and the role played by Nigeria's early educated elite in transforming a colonial-era institution into an inclusive platform.
Sanni said the founders challenged the perception of European superiority and used their education and exposure to create an institution that accommodated people of diverse backgrounds.
He noted that the club's significance went beyond tennis, as it provided a platform for members to interact, exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting society.
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