Diaspora Desk

Eko Club International Convention: Another Chance To Bedeck The History Books And Offer Thanksgiving

Published

3 years ago

Oct 26, 2021.

On Thursday, October 28, 2021, all roads will lead to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, when Diaspora Lagosians from all walks of life will converge for the 12th Biennial convention of Eko Club International.

This will be the first significant gathering of the organisation members since the coronavirus pandemic put the kibosh on human interaction across the globe by a considerable degree.

This year’s convention promises to be unique in many regards. Not only is it going to be a gathering of like minds who share striking commonalities in identity as well as the generous drive to make the world a better place, but it will also serve as the platform to express gratitude to God for surviving the storm of the humankind’s greatest epidemiological disaster since the Spanish Flu of 1918.

Hon. Femi (Solar) Igbalajobi. Chairman ECI 2021 12th Biennial Convention.

Many among us constituted the first responders who raced into the flames of the Covid outbreak, unafraid of the threat it would pose to our lives.

A good number in our midst contracted the lethal virus in the line of duty but were fortunate enough to overcome what was, without doubt, a formidable threat to our very existence. This is why the thanksgiving dimension of the upcoming gathering will be hugely significant.

The coming days will be crucial as they will provide the platform for an extensive discourse on a plethora of issues bordering on the socio-economic, political, and cultural challenges of our beloved state.

The thrust of the forum will also focus on proffering solutions that will complement the efforts of our leaders to deliver the dividends of democracy to Lagosians. Of course, in the spirit of being true sons of the soil, true Lagosians, the 3-day epochal event would have missed a crucial mark without the flair and the flamboyance that is deeply enshrined in our DNA. Whatever Lagosians do, we do it with pizza!

Hon. Bisi Rokosu-Lawal ECI PRO

The theme of the 12th biennial convention of the ECI is “Food /Infrastructure and Community Safety- Strategy for Lagos state, Nigeria.” This theme could not be more fitting given the astronomical level of insecurity in Nigeria which has also insidiously pervaded into our dear state.

The Mayor of Baton rogue is expected to declare the convention open. It is a symbolic act which we hope will kickstart the discussion on establishing a sister city relationship and an economic relationship with our beloved state.

Mayor of Baton rogue, Sharon Weston Broome

The club will also visit the Food Bank to donate food items worth over 20,0000 dollars to benefit the underprivileged in Louisiana.

This act of benevolence from the Organisation bears testimony to the spirit of altruism that has always been the forte of the Organisation since its inception.

Conventionally, our biennial summit usually attracts a minimum of six thousand participants from all corners of the world. However, caution at this point dictates that we decrease that number significantly as the global community works assiduously to phase out the harmful effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The journey of Eko Club International started 23 years ago when a group of visionary Lagosians came together at the behest of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Lanre Ojo. President Eko Club International

Since then, the organisation has consistently served as a guiding light and a benchmark for other diaspora groups.

The plethora of landmark achievements and life-changing initiatives executed by the organisation both in the USA and Lagos has in many respects typified the slogan of the Organisation, “Striving to make a difference.”

The success of the organisation isn’t far fetched. It is a product of dogged and unyielding efforts by committed individuals who have worked exceedingly hard at the expense of their gratification to promote this humanistic cause.

From the leadership down to the group’s membership, everyone has worked his fingers to the bone to ensure that the necessary structure to help actualise the lofty goals and objectives of the organisation is in place.

Attorney OJ Lawal, President Emeritus

The structure had produced only 6 democratically elected Presidents (Alhaji Sesi Dawodu,Attorney O J Lawal, Otunba T J Abass, Alhaji Zainudeen Popoola, Alhaji Bisi Gaji and Honorable Lanre Ojo) since its inception, a stable organisation and a fulcrum of strong democratic values

Once again, the organisation’s leadership is expected to change hands in a characteristically peaceful election process that will determine the next set of executives who will build on the accomplishments of their predecessors.

Through effort and commitment, this organisation had forged a lifetime relationship with our state government and Royal institutions across the state.

ECI President Emeritus, Hon. Alhaji Zainudeen Popoola Aromire.

We have also developed a healthy partnership with relevant stakeholders across the State that has helped bridge the conduit we conduct our life-changing campaigns back home.

Of course, these monumental accomplishments have not come without their fair share of challenges. Still, we have defeated those challenges through the strength of our resolve to remain united in a common purpose.

The tenacity of the organisation, the resilience and, most notably, the bond between the members has enabled us to bounce back from adversity with our eyes firmly fixed on the bigger picture, not the obstacles.

Honourable Bissy Gaji, President Emeritus

Moving forward, our continued success will be predicated on the participation of members and the dogged resolve we have demonstrated despite the daunting challenges and the inevitable bumps on the road.

As we gather in the next few days to address issues pertinent to our progress, let us celebrate our members, give thanks to God for his enduring mercies, and, more importantly, once again etch our names in gold in the history books.

ECI President Emeritus, Otunba TJ Abass

Finally, let us immerse ourselves in the love, unity, and camaraderie that has been the symbol of this great organisation; for as echoed in the words of the great Rudyard Kipling – “the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

Happy Convention/ Thanksgiving.

Otunba T J Abass
President Emeritus, Eko Club International.
Publisher, Eko Hot Blog.

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