—Amodu Hails Centenary Exhibition as Celebration of History, Heritage and Institutional Memory
By Kayode Olopade
The Director-General of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), Mr. Rasaq Olugbenga Amodu, has affirmed the historic significance of the Yoruba Tennis Club, describing its centenary exhibition as a remarkable celebration of history, heritage and institutional memory.
Amodu spoke on Saturday at the historic premises of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos, during the unveiling of a landmark exhibition organised to commemorate the club’s 100th anniversary.
The exhibition, themed “Yoruba Tennis Club at 100 – A Century at the Forefront of History and Tradition,” offered members of the public, researchers, historians and cultural enthusiasts a rare opportunity to explore the institution’s remarkable journey since its establishment in 1926.
The exhibition chronicles the evolution of the club from its modest beginnings at 75 Tokunboh Street, where it was founded as the Orelodun Tennis Club, to its emergence as one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous social institutions.
It features an impressive collection of archival photographs, vintage sporting equipment, historic club journals, foundational documents and other memorabilia documenting the club’s development and contributions to the social, cultural and intellectual life of Lagos and Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Amodu congratulated the Yoruba Tennis Club on attaining the historic milestone, expressing delight at being associated with an initiative dedicated to preserving the nation’s history and heritage.
He expressed optimism that the club would continue to thrive and remain relevant for generations to come, praying that it would attain its bicentenary and celebrate many more milestones.
The LASRAB Director-General further demonstrated the Bureau’s commitment to historical preservation by making a strategic appearance at the exhibition alongside members of his professional team, including the Director of Archives, Ojo Olusola; Senior Archivists Irawo Ayomide and Femi Ajayi; and other officials.
The LASRAB team engaged guests and visitors at the exhibition, providing insights into archival preservation, Lagos’ history and heritage, as well as the importance of documenting institutional and cultural memory for future generations.
Amodu’s participation, according to our correspondent at the event, underscored the importance of collaboration between archival authorities and cultural institutions in preserving historical records and ensuring that valuable materials are not lost to time.
Earlier, the Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawunmi Gasper, described the centenary as more than a celebration of longevity, saying it represented a testament to fellowship, leadership, institutional resilience and cultural preservation.
Gasper noted that the club had, over the decades, demonstrated that an institution could embrace modernity while remaining firmly connected to its historical roots.
He said the centenary provided an opportunity for present and future generations to appreciate the values, sacrifices and collective efforts that had sustained the club for a century.
The exhibition, curated with extensive archival materials and historical documentation, was anchored by Bro. Mathew Olaseni Gansallo and highlighted the club’s contributions to intellectual discourse, social development and the broader history of Lagos and Nigeria.
It also documented the club’s tradition of hosting intellectual engagements and lectures involving prominent personalities, reflecting its longstanding role as a meeting point for influential figures and important conversations.
Visitors were taken through multimedia displays, historical photographs and artistic representations depicting the club’s evolution, while traditional performances added colour and cultural depth to the centenary celebration.
In his closing remarks, the Vice-Chairman of the club, Bro. Babatunde Shobamowo, commended the Chairman, distinguished members and particularly the Exhibition Committee for the painstaking effort invested in documenting the institution’s history from inception to the present.
Shobamowo described the exhibition as an important contribution to the preservation of the club’s institutional memory, noting that its contents would serve as a valuable resource for members, researchers, historians and cultural enthusiasts.
He disclosed that the exhibition would remain open throughout the anniversary week, allowing visitors to explore a century of sporting excellence, social interaction, cultural identity, leadership and community.
The exhibition remains one of the major highlights of the Yoruba Tennis Club’s centenary programme, which seeks not only to celebrate its remarkable journey since 1926 but also to preserve its heritage and position the institution for another century of relevance.
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