- Alh. Sanuth Jafar Babatunde, a retired Permanent Secretary, has been elected as the President of the Epe Ogunmodede Club for the 2026–2028 term.
- The President-elect has prioritized a “healing season” to promote reconciliation and unity following the recent competitive election.
- The new Executive Committee features a distinguished group of experts from across the public and private sectors, dedicated to the educational and economic development of Epe.
The Epe Ogunmodede Club, Epe, stands as a premier indigenous social organization within the Epe Division of Lagos State, representing a unique intersection of professionalism, cultural heritage, and community advocacy.
Established as a collective of distinguished professionals, Eko Hot Blog reports that the club was founded on a cardinal principle that remains its guiding light today: the advancement of education as a foundational tool for communal prosperity.
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The founding fathers, many of whom were professionals who had achieved success both within Nigeria and abroad, envisioned the club not merely as a social gathering for the elite, but as a vehicle for the political, social, and economic development of the Epe community.
This vision has manifested through decades of sustained philanthropic efforts, most notably through its rejuvenated scholarship and bursary awards for indigent students, a long-standing tradition that ensures the next generation of Epe sons and daughters has access to tertiary education.
Historically, the club has served as a moral and developmental compass for the region. Its 50th anniversary, celebrated in 2024, marked a milestone of half a century of influence in the socio-political landscape of Lagos State.
From its clubhouse on Awolowo Way in Epe, the organization has consistently engaged with state governance, offering guidance to legislators and celebrating the achievements of indigenous leaders.
However, the club’s journey has not been without its challenges.
In recent years, particularly in 2025, the organization found itself at the center of sensitive communal matters, such as mourning the transition of the late Olu-Epe, Oba Dr. Shefiu Adewale Bamgbopa, and navigating the complexities of traditional succession.
These periods of transition often test the internal cohesion of such influential groups, leading to the spirited and sometimes contentious environment surrounding its leadership elections.
The election held on March 28, 2026, represented one such pivotal moment, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the club’s administration.
Following a process that drew intense participation and debate from its diverse membership, a new Executive Committee was successfully constituted to lead the club for the 2026–2028 term.
This leadership team is characterized by a blend of expertise from the public service, administrative sectors, and private industry, ensuring that the club remains well-positioned for impactful growth.
At the helm of this new era is Alh. Sanuth Jafar Babatunde A., a seasoned professional and retired Permanent Secretary from the Lagos State Civil Service, who previously served as the club’s Vice President.
The 2026–2028 Executive Committee Members are as follows:
1. President: Alh. Sanuth, Jafar Babatunde A., Retired Permanent Secretary, Lagos State.
2. Vice President: Alh. Abbas, Qudus, Retired Director, NNPC.
3. General Secretary: Barr. Amuni Olayinka, Registrar, Federal University of Technology, Okiho, Oyo State.
4. Social/Welfare Secretary: Alh. Bakare Mashood, CEO, Building and Construction Company.
5. Financial Secretary: Alh. Abaniwonda Ismaila, Director of Accounts, Lagos State.
6. Treasurer: Alh. Chief Ekemode, Adetola, Director of Accounts, Lagos State.
7. House Officer: Alh. Olanrewaju Hamad, Director, Admin & HR, Lagos State.
8. Provost/Chief Whip: Hon. (Arch) Chief Anifowoshe Wasiu Abiola, Former Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
9. Ex-Officio: Barr. Ibrahim, Omodele, Former CEO, Land Use Office, Lagos State.
Reflecting on the recent election cycle, which saw high stakes and vigorous debate among various factions, the President-elect has emphasized a mission of reconciliation and collective progress.
Recognizing the need to heal any rifts that emerged during the campaign, Alh. Sanuth Jafar Babatunde A. has been vocal about his commitment to restoring the club’s traditional values of camaraderie and service.
Addressing the membership following his victory, the President-elect underscored his desire to move past the contentions of the recent weeks.
“The strength of the Ogunmodede Club has always been our ability to debate with passion but unite with purpose,” the President-elect stated. ”
As we move forward into this new term, my primary objective is to dissolve the lines of division that this election may have drawn and to ensure that every member, regardless of who they supported, feels a renewed sense of belonging and stake in our common heritage.”
His vision for the 2026–2028 term is built on the foundation of unity, expertise, and dedication.
He has often noted that for the club to remain a force for good in the Epe community, it must first be at peace with itself.
This sentiment is particularly relevant given the club’s recent public stances on communal harmony, including its calls for patience and respect for due process during local traditional transitions. By advocating for a “healing season,” the President-elect aims to leverage the diverse callings of the newly elected executives, ranging from legal experts and financial directors to construction magnates, to prioritize the economic and educational development of Epe.
“We are a family of professionals bound by a shared love for our community,” the President-elect continued. “It is time to set aside individual ambitions in favor of our collective mission to uplift the indigent, support our youth through education, and complete our ongoing developmental projects.
Our focus must remain on the legacy of our founding fathers, ensuring that the Ogunmodede Club continues to be a symbol of progress and an enviable model of unity in the Epe Kingdom.”
As the club embarks on this two-year journey, the inclusion of veterans like Barr. Omodele Ibrahim as Ex-Officio ensures that the institutional memory of the previous administration is preserved while new strategies are implemented.
The concentration of high-level civil servants, such as the Directors of Accounts and Admin/HR from the Lagos State service, suggests a term that will be defined by fiscal discipline, transparency, and administrative excellence.
With the new Executive Committee now in place, the Ogunmodede Club is poised to continue its work as a cornerstone of the Epe division, proving that even after the most robust democratic contests, the spirit of service to the people remains the ultimate winner.
Beyond the immediate administrative goals, the club is set to expand its mentorship programs, pairing the younger generation of Epe professionals with the seasoned veterans on the executive board.
This intergenerational bridge is designed to ensure that the “Ogunmodede Spirit” remains vibrant for another fifty years. The club also plans to increase its advocacy for infrastructure development in Epe, leveraging the professional networks of its members to attract investment and state attention to the region’s unique needs.
By maintaining this dual focus on internal unity and external service, the 2026–2028 Executive Committee seeks to elevate the club to new heights of social relevance.
In the coming months, the club will host a series of town hall meetings and social mixers designed to reintegrate all members into the club’s active life.
These gatherings will serve as the practical application of the President-elect’s “Unity Agenda,” providing a platform for members to share ideas and align on the club’s developmental roadmap. As Epe continues to grow as a strategic hub in Lagos State, the Ogunmodede Club remains committed to ensuring that this growth is inclusive, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the values of the Epe people.
Through this renewed commitment to brotherhood and progress, the club reaffirms its status as the heartbeat of Epe’s professional and social elite.
