Ogbeni Bolaji Osinowo, President of the Exclusive Club Ikorodu, has reaffirmed the club’s enduring commitment to grassroots development, community impact, and institutional excellence as the club marks its 60th anniversary, describing the milestone as a celebration of vision, discipline, and service to Ikorodu Division.
Osinowo made these remarks during an exclusive interview with Ikorodu News Network (INN-Nigeria) on the 13th of January 2026, held in commemoration of the diamond jubilee of the foremost socio-cultural club in Ikorodu.
The interview session was anchored by Prince Ganny Awobajo, the Chief Publisher of Ikorodu News, who guided the discussion.
Speaking on the historic relevance of the club, Osinowo emphasized that the Exclusive Club Ikorodu remains the first club ever established in the entire Ikorodu Division, a status he said comes with responsibility and pride.
He noted that the club was founded to serve as a platform for progressive engagement and grassroots development, a mandate it has consistently upheld for six decades.
“The Exclusive Club Ikorodu was formed to contribute meaningfully to the development of Ikorodu at the grassroots level. Sixty years later, we are still guided by that same purpose,” he said.
Osinowo explained that membership of the club has traditionally been strictly reserved for indigenes of Ikorodu, a policy designed to preserve cultural identity, accountability, and commitment to the land.
However, he disclosed that the club is now exploring structured ways to admit key stakeholders from across Ikorodu Division who, though not indigenes, have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the development of the region and have attracted major projects and investments to the area.
According to him, this initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration, rewarding genuine contributors to Ikorodu’s progress, and broadening the club’s developmental reach without compromising its core values.
He further stated that the Exclusive Club’s status as the first elite club in Ikorodu informed the adoption of very high admission standards from its inception, noting that these stringent criteria played a significant role in shaping the social landscape of the division.
“Because we were the first, our admission criteria were deliberately high. Over time, this led to the emergence of several other elite clubs across Ikorodu Division, which today also contribute in their own ways to community development,” Osinowo explained.
On legacy projects, the president announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the club’s new secretariat will take place in January 2026.
He revealed that the project, which will be executed with a state-of-the-art masterplan, is expected to span two years before completion.
Osinowo described the proposed secretariat as a landmark facility that would be a source of pride for sons and daughters of Ikorodu, adding that the edifice would stand as an architectural and institutional symbol of excellence when completed.
Reflecting on the club’s historical journey, Osinowo traced its evolution from the early chairmanship era to the current presidential system.
He paid tribute to pioneer chairmen, including the late TOS Benson and other founding leaders, whom he credited with laying a strong foundation that has distinguished the club over the years.
He noted that the vision, discipline, and foresight of these pioneers set a clear trajectory that has enabled successive leaderships to sustain the club’s uniqueness and relevance in Ikorodu’s socio-developmental space.
Osinowo also highlighted the collaborative spirit of club members, noting that beyond corporate interventions, members of the Exclusive Club Ikorodu individually and collectively partner with the Lions Club and other non-governmental and humanitarian initiatives to empower residents and positively impact grassroots communities across the division.
According to him, such partnerships reflect the club’s belief that sustainable development is best achieved through collaboration and shared responsibility.
He assured members and stakeholders that the current administration remains committed to deepening grassroots engagement, strengthening unity among members, and positioning the Exclusive Club Ikorodu as a strategic contributor to the socio-economic advancement of Ikorodu Division.
The 60th anniversary celebration, Osinowo concluded, is not merely a mark of longevity but a reaffirmation of the club’s enduring ideals of service, excellence, and unwavering commitment to the development of Ikorodu.
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