Fashola Urges Social Clubs to Promote Peaceful Coexistence and Play Key Role in Social Engineering

Former Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has emphasized the need for social clubs to champion the cause of peaceful coexistence and the overall welfare of the people.

He also believes that such clubs, in a representative democracy, play a crucial role in the social engineering or re-engineering of both society and the nation at large.

Fashola delivered this message during the 50th Anniversary Lecture of Eko Club, titled Eko Club @50: The Role of Social Clubs in Social Engineering,  held at the Blessings Hall of the Club on Bode Thomas, Surulere.

He expressed that the welfare of the people and the development of Lagos State—particularly in how to foster peaceful harmony with those who have settled among us—should be of interest to the club.

According to the former Lagos State Governor, issues such as global developments like climate change, flooding, and artificial intelligence, along with their impacts over the next 50 years, must engage the attention of the club and inspire it to take action.

In terms of the state’s social and economic development, Fashola thanked Eko Club for hosting a stakeholders’ meeting on the law passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly, restricting the movement of motorcyclists on certain classes of roads.

The former governor noted that the interaction had helped the government clarify misunderstood issues, turning members and stakeholders into advocates for the policy.

He proposed periodic town hall meetings, stakeholders’ forums with panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions, business luncheons, and dinners, inviting experts and persons of interest to foster continued dialogue.

The Guest Speaker explained that the forum could be held monthly, quarterly, biannually, or annually, depending on the status of the guest, without disrupting the social ethos of the club.

He also suggested that public officials from local, state, and federal governments could interact more to explain what they are doing to improve lives and how the public can support them.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, congratulated the club on its milestone achievement and urged it to continue playing a prominent role in the socio-economic development of the state.

He also expressed satisfaction with the club’s leadership for preserving the long-standing traditions established by its founding fathers.

Mr. Kekere-Ekun emphasized the importance of the club forming a think-tank to contribute to the social engineering of Lagos State’s policies and initiatives.

On his part, the President of Eko Club, Mr. Abdulrazaq Olugbenga Amodu, stated that the club is thinking outside the box to contribute to the state’s development.

He revealed that they have initiated various sporting activities aimed at getting children off the streets.

In his vote of thanks, the former President of the Club and Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee, Dr. Ade Shamsideen Dosunmu, thanked the former Minister for his inspiring lecture and the valuable advice he offered the club.

The prestigious Eko Club, which currently boasts over a thousand members, was established in 1974 by a group of like-minded friends.