Eko Club International And The Parable Of Five Loaves Of Bread And Two Fishes

When the news broke on Monday, April 13, 2020, during the nationwide broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari that the initial 14-day lockdown had been extended by another 14-days, the atmosphere was filled with gloom and despair. Despair, not from the reason for the lockdown, which is coronavirus, but misery from how to survive, especially for a nation filled with daily income earners, whose source of survival has been put on hold in a bid to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fourteen days after, the promise of governments’ palliative packages remains what it is for some – a promise. Something that is heard but never seen.

Then the proverbial eagle arose. A group of people under the aegis of Eko Club International, a community-based organization of Lagosians in the Diaspora, formed to contribute positively to the advancement and prosperity of Lagos State, with its five loaves of bread and two fishes, decided to feed the multitude. From Lagos Island LCDA, Isolo LCDA, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA in Epe, Igbogbo LCDA in Ikorodu and Alapa community in Badagry and orphanage home in Badagry, Eko International Club left smiles on the faces of the multitude.

For some, COVID-19 is a first-time opportunity to reach the vulnerable members of society with different relief packages. For Eko Club International, it is a culture – an ideology birthed in the vision of three people; Sam Dipeolu, T.J Abass and Mr. Yesir Ganiyu from Eko Club Houston at a meeting held on February 15, 2000, with members of Eko Club Canada.

The three-day activity of feeding Lagosians from different walks of life is a further testament to how far the club has come. Mrs. Shola Hasstrup, the representative of Eko Club International in Nigeria said that the gesture was to give back to the community and to provide assistance for the vulnerable and the downtrodden in this hard time with bumper food Items.

“This is part of the Club Corporate Social Responsibility and we have been doing that since time immemorial and we will continue to give back to the society,” she said.

Her words re-echoed the vision of the founding fathers. It is a reaffirmation of the selfless sacrifices the group has made over the years.

When the train stopped at Igbogbo community, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, appreciated the International Club kind gestures towards giving back to the community.

Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali prayed that God would continue to enrich the pockets of all the Club members.

“I am happy that the noble club remembers us here in Igbogbo and the people of Igbogbo Kingdom appreciate your coming.

“We are looking forward to receiving your Club members here in Igbogbo soonest, after the COVID-19 pandemic, ” he said.

In the same vein, the Chairman of Igbogbo LCDA, Mr. Sesan Daini, was full of praises for the philanthropists, who have made helping people a second nature, he appreciated Eko Club International for their good gestures in supporting the people of Igbogbo community with food relief packages due to restriction order and COVID-19 stay at home directive by the government.

Sesan was delighted to have the presence of Eko Club International in his community and pledge to collaborate with the club whenever the need arise.

The Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Kolawole Alani, lauded the feeding programme. For him, Isolo would always be home to Eko Club International.

“I really appreciate efforts of the Eko Club International, although i am not particularly surprised because they have always been at our aid, you see the hospital behind me, the club built it from scratch, provide healthcare for the people of Isolo, we so thank them, God will continue to bless and enrich their pocket”

Oba Babatunde Balogun, Elejirin of Ejirin, in his message was full of prayers for the club. For him, no amount of words would suffice but prayers. Prayers that the President of the club, its excos and others associated with the club continue to prosper.

Furthermore, Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ilufemiloye Ajose Possi III, the Alapa of Egun-Awori, Apa kingdom in Badagry showered praises and prayer on Eko Club International, thanked the club for showing such love especially at this trying times in the country.

For these communities, that might have been the first of its kind. But for others, Eko Club International is the oasis in the desert, with over 20 active chapters across the globe. Taking care of people. Taking the initiative. Feeding the multitude with its five loaves of bread and two fishes.

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