The Ijesa Felates Club has marked its 60th anniversary with a renewed commitment to members’ welfare, education, cultural preservation and the socio-economic development of Ijesaland.
The grand finale of the Diamond Jubilee celebration was held on Saturday at the Ijesa Felates Club House in Ilesa, The Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko III, was unavoidably absent from the anniversary celebration but was duly represented by His Royal Majesty, Oba Festus Awogboro, Alademure of Ibokun, and His Royal Majesty, Engr. Femi Agunsoye Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, alongside Lady Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, Chief of Staff to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The royal representation underscored the importance attached to the 60th anniversary celebration by the traditional institution and further highlighted the enduring relationship between Ijesa Felates Club and the traditional leadership of Ijesaland.
The anniversary celebration featured the introduction of dignitaries, goodwill messages, awards, scholarship presentations, a discussion session and the conferment of the Grand Patron of Ijesa Felates Club on the Owa Obokun.
The 22nd Director General of the club, Very Rev. Dr. Abiodun Ogunbeku, described Ijesa Felates as the “pride of Ijesa clubs and societies,” highlighting its six decades of friendship, fellowship and contribution to community development.
According to him, the club has deliberately maintained a membership spread across the six geopolitical zones of Ijesaland, making it a platform for unity, intellectual engagement, social interaction and collective development.
₦75m Housing Projects Unveiled
Ogunbeku disclosed that the club is pursuing legacy housing projects estimated at ₦75 million, involving the conversion of its second building into apartments and the construction of three additional two-bedroom apartments.
He appealed to members, friends and well-wishers to support the projects, with the target of completing and commissioning them by August 2027.
The Director General also highlighted the club’s two major long-running programmes — its Scholarship Programme and Ayo Olopon Games.
The scholarship scheme, which has been running since 2009, rewards outstanding Ijesa students and has recorded more than 45 beneficiaries. The Ayo competition, established in 1999, promotes social interaction while helping to preserve an important aspect of Yoruba traditional culture.
Ajirowa Seeks Collective Action for Ijesaland
In a major development-focused presentation, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, Chief Lateef Bakare, called for stronger collaboration among government, traditional institutions, the private sector, communities and Ijesa people in the diaspora.
Speaking on the theme, “A Vision for Sustainable Growth, Inclusive Prosperity and Shared Responsibility,” Bakare identified Ijesaland’s human capital, fertile land, mineral resources, cultural heritage, festivals and strategic location as assets capable of driving a stronger regional economy.
He, however, identified poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity, inadequate water and healthcare services, weak digital connectivity and limited industrialisation as major challenges confronting the region.
Bakare advocated increased investment in agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, culture and the creative economy, digital services, light industries and responsible mining.
He also called for greater investment in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and skills development, particularly for young people and women.
According to him, strengthening agricultural value chains, promoting Ijesa festivals and creative industries, and developing effective public-private partnerships could create jobs, attract investment and expand economic opportunities.
He urged Ijesa people at home and abroad to embrace a shared development vision, stressing that collective responsibility was essential to building a united, productive, inclusive and prosperous Ijesaland.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Certificate of Investiture as Grand Patron of Ijesa Felates Club to the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko III. Although the monarch was unavoidably absent from the ceremony, the honour was received on his behalf by His Royal Majesty Oba Festus Awogboro, Alademure of Ibokun, who represented the revered monarch at the colourful 60th anniversary celebration.
The anniversary programme proceeded to the presentation of awards and recognition of outstanding contributions to the club and Ijesaland. Sir Kunle Odéyẹmà was honoured with Emeritus and Life Membership, while Pa Iyiola Faniyi received an Honorary Membership in recognition of his association with and contributions to the club. The programme also featured Distinguished Service Awards presented to deserving members for their commitment and service to Ijesa Felates Club, as well as scholarship awards to outstanding students, underscoring the club’s longstanding commitment to education and youth development.
From Nine Young Men to 134-Member Institution
Founded in 1966, Ijesa Felates Club has grown from an informal association of nine young men into an institution with 134 members in 2026.
The idea originated among four friends — Seyi Lufadeju, Akintola Omole, Niran Kupoluyi and Doyin Adelekun — who sought to establish a platform for friendship, recreation and social interaction.
Other pioneer members later joined, bringing the founding membership to nine.
The club adopted its first constitution in 1969, marking an important step in its transition from an informal social association into a structured organisation.
Over the years, Felates has built a strong culture of brotherhood and members’ welfare. Its “brother's keeper” philosophy has seen members support one another during celebrations, difficult periods and bereavements.
Following the death of a member, Ladi Abiola, the club introduced a Group Life Insurance Policy to provide additional support for members and their families.
Clubhouse, Education and Community Advocacy
The Ijesa Felates Club House remains one of the organisation’s major landmarks. Construction began in 1983 and the facility was completed and commissioned in 1992. It underwent a major renovation between 2014 and 2016.
The club has also maintained a strong interest in education and community development. Its members were involved in the advocacy that contributed to the transformation of the Osun State College of Education into the University of Ilesa, described in the club’s history as a model of government-community partnership.
The organisation has also established an investment platform aimed at encouraging members to pursue economic advancement and alternative sources of income.
Looking Beyond 60
As it enters its seventh decade, Ijesa Felates Club is looking towards consolidation, renewal and strategic repositioning.
The club intends to attract younger members, strengthen its advocacy role, improve its investment activities and create greater opportunities for the next generation while preserving the values of its founding members.
From nine young friends in 1966 to a 134-member institution in 2026, the six-decade journey of Ijesa Felates Club represents a story of friendship, brotherhood, welfare, education, cultural preservation, investment, advocacy and community development.
The anniversary therefore served not only as a celebration of the past but also as a call to deepen the club’s contribution to the future development of Ijesaland.
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