Former Lagos Governor Fashola Explains why He Mandated Commisioners to Join Social Clubs

Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has revealed that, during his time in office from 2007 to 2015, he required his aides and commissioners to join various social clubs across Lagos. 

This initiative aimed to make government policies more accessible and better understood by the public through informal interactions.

Fashola shared this insight at the 50th-anniversary lecture of the Eko Club, explaining that the goal was to enhance communication and understanding between the government and the people.

Fashola said "During our administration, I mandated my aides and commissioners to join social clubs in Lagos so they could gain insights and inform people about government policies during casual discussions,".

Currently a patron of the Eko Club, Fashola spoke on the theme, “The Role of Social Clubs in Social Engineering,” highlighting the important role these clubs play in society.

Promoting Sports as a Path to Employment

Fashola emphasized the importance of social clubs in fostering shared interests and encouraged the Eko Club to revive its sporting initiatives. 

He noted that sports represent a significant but underutilized opportunity for employment, especially for Nigeria's youth, who face high unemployment rates.

“Eko Club must return to its sporting roots and lead the revival of youth inter-club competitions. We cannot rely solely on the government to ensure our athletes succeed on the global stage,” he stated.

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Encouraging Greater Public Involvement

As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Fashola also called on the Eko Club to extend its influence beyond social gatherings. 

He urged the club to take a more active role in addressing public issues and contributing to societal discourse.

“In my view, we have been somewhat distant from matters affecting our shared interests. Eko Club is too important and prestigious to be seen merely as a venue for celebrations and events, though these are essential to social engineering,” he remarked.

Looking Toward Future Development

Fashola also urged club members to focus on the long-term growth of Eko Club, encouraging them to prioritize plans for the next 50 years instead of solely reflecting on past accomplishments.