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Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has revealed that during his tenure from 2007 to 2015, he mandated his aides and commissioners to join social clubs across the state.
He said the mandate was aimed at ensuring that government policies and activities were more accessible and better understood by the public.
Fashola, who also served as a former minister and is a patron of the Eko Club, shared these insights during the club's 50th anniversary lecture last Wednesday.
The ex-governor emphasised the importance of common interest as a key pillar of social clubs and urged Eko Club to reinvigorate its focus on sporting activities.
Fashola noted that sports is a significant yet underutilised source of employment, especially in an environment grappling with high youths unemployment.
"Eko Club must return to its sporting objectives and lead the revival of youth inter-club competitions. We cannot rely solely on government efforts for the success of our athletes at international sports events," he stated.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also called for the club to be more engaged in matters of public interest, saying that Eko Club should expand its role beyond hosting events and be more involved in societal issues.
Fashola remarked that Eko Club is too significant and prestigious to be known merely as a venue for parties, anniversaries, and weddings, irrespective of the important roles these may be to social engineering.
He encouraged the club to focus on its future rather than dwelling excessively on its past, advising them to prioritise the next 50 years of development.
