Almond Tree Section
SECTIONS
ALMOND
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ALMOND TREE
The Section was initiated in July 1993 by a few members of Abeokuta Sports Club who had a common goal then – to share ideas, views, and thoughts following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential Election that was thought by many Nigerian including members of Abeokuta Sports Club as fairly won by the late Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola. This group converge day and night to discuss the issues of the moment then and to follow their development. By leap and bound, membership increased and more of the members got interested in discussing contemporary politics and issues within a social setting. On the 22nd of October 1993, the then president of the Abeokuta Sports Club, Alhaji Ganiyu Egbeyemi, formally inaugurated the Section as the “Under the Almond Tree Section” of Abeokuta Sports Club. This Section, thus, became the first Social Section and non-game playing Section to be so recognized in this Club. The Section did not stop at socializing alone, it has engaged in various philanthropic activities. For example, the Section did set up a retired staff of the Club in a business and money has been given to several patients in need of financial assistance for medical attention.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
On the social interactive sector, it is a thing of beauty to behold members in attendance at social parties in their very impressive dresses with Section’s cap to match. Members have followed their fellow members for social activities to as for Warri (twice), Osogbo, Lagos on many occasions and to various parts of the country. What is most delightful is the phenomenal growth in membership between 1993 when the Section had about twenty (20) members and year 2003 with membership growing up to over one hundred twenty (120) members.
STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECTION
The Section in 1996 constructed a modern and befitting bar under the leadership of Mr. Jare Dada which is still in use till today. However, members, under the chairmanship of Chief Lawson Osho in 2002, took a bold and giant stride by conceptualizing and laying the foundation of an elegant and superlative structural edifice which is today known as “Almond House”. This imposing building still under construction, now only requires plastering, fixing of windows, doors and other furniture. To date, through internally generated revenue, the fund raising committee under the chairmanship of Chief Soniran Oluwole Sowemimo has been able to raise over N 5m. The present Executive of the Section, under the leadership of Hon. Bayo Sofolahan, is expected to carry on with the project. What is needed to complete the project is about N3m.
Today, the Almond Tree Section which started with a shelter in the beginning has metamorphosed into an ultra modern giant Building for better social interaction of members and their friends and visitors. This is wishing the Section a happy 10th year anniversary celebrations.
Past Chairmen of the Section –
- Chief Soniran Sowemimo – 1993 – 1994
- Late Dr. Kola Onabanjo – 1994 – 1995
- Engr. Kunle Marinho (Administrator) – 1995 – 1996
- Mr. Jare Dada – 1996 – 2000
- Chief Lawon Osho – 2000 – 2002
- Mr. Jide Oyenuga – 2002 – 2004
- Hon. Bayo Sofolahan – 2004 – 2006