In a major step towards community development, Club Seventies Epe has acquired two plots of land at Ita-Marun in Epe, Lagos State. This move marks a significant milestone in the club’s 23-year journey as it sets out to build a permanent clubhouse to better serve its members and the wider Epe Division.
The announcement was made during the club’s September monthly meeting, which was symbolically held at the new site. Members were visibly excited as the long-held dream started to take shape.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Club’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Edu Adebayo, said the permanent structure will support social and developmental services for the division.
“Having a permanent operational base as social organizations is very paramount for social and other benefitting services for the division,” he said.
He added that the future building will include essential amenities such as offices, a library, an ICT hub, and a study center to boost local development.
Veteran member and two-term club representative, Mr. Kadri Shamsideen, also hailed the project, emphasizing its importance.
“Since its establishment for close to 23 years, having a permanent Club house is crucial,” he said.
“It is a very laudable innovation to have a permanent clubhouse as it will provide members with the opportunity to reunite with their families, friends and keep abreast of developments in our communities.”
“Once we have this, we will have the opportunity to take our communities to the next level,” he added.
Also, Emeritus President, Mr. Sanuth Ibrahim expressed confidence in the club’s ability to execute the project, citing their passion and commitment. He revealed that the club intends to mobilize resources both internally and externally.
“We have acquired this land and once the necessary things are done, we will task ourselves and reach out to others, especially with the calibre of people within and outside Nigeria who share our dreams and focus for positive impacts to our communities and Lagos at large,” he stated.
“We have a timeline, and despite the financial situation in Nigeria, by next year, we will have a structure here. We have to show commitment first before we seek help from donors,” he added.
Club President, Mr. Yunus Yusuf, highlighted that the clubhouse will serve both the club and the broader community. He mentioned plans to build a commercial hub on part of the land to help generate revenue.
“We will use a part of the land to build a commercial hub that will attract people that we can use the revenue to support the club,” he said.
He also pointed out the significance of holding the monthly meeting at the new site: “It was symbolic to hold the September edition of the monthly meeting on the site as a show of readiness and commitment for members to know the exact place where the acquired land is situated.”
Mr. Yusuf added that the facility will include a gym open to the public and an educational center to benefit the youth.
“We plan to have a gym that will be accessible to all at a token. In the facility will also be a center to educate and enlighten the youths, which will also benefit the communities.”
Club Seventies Epe says it is determined to lead positive change in the division through this legacy project, showing that their commitment to Epe Division goes beyond words.
