Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has revealed that during his tenure from 2007 to 2015, he instructed his aides and commissioners to become members of social clubs.
Fashola said the move was aimed at ensuring that his team gained valuable insights while educating the public about government policies.
Speaking at the 50th-anniversary lecture of Eko Club last Wednesday, where he is a patron, the former governor highlighted that his goal was to make government activities and policies more accessible and understandable to the public.
The lecture, titled “The Role of Social Clubs in Social Engineering,” saw Fashola discuss the strategic importance of social clubs. He explained, “During my administration, I directed my aides and commissioners to join social clubs in Lagos. This allowed them to gain insights and educate people on government policies during discussions in these spaces.”
Fashola also underscored the importance of shared interests in the functioning of social clubs and urged Eko Club to refocus its attention on sports, a key aspect of the club’s original objectives. He stressed that sports remain an untapped source of employment, particularly in addressing youth unemployment.
“Eko Club must return to its sporting foundations and take the lead in reviving inter-club youth competitions,” Fashola stated. He added that relying solely on the government to ensure athletes’ success in international sporting events would be insufficient.
