That flame has grown into a fire of fellowship that has crossed borders, defied distance, and gained strength year after year.

This Silver Jubilee is, without question, a moment of collective pride for every member. It bears witness to our unity, resilience, and the enduring relevance of our mission.

Rooted in heritage and rising through service, ECI has carried our culture with dignity and planted the seeds of progress everywhere the Lagos' footstep is found, from Toronto to Houston, from London to New Jersey, and across the world.

This celebration is not just the ticking of years on the calendar; it is the telling of a story written in sacrifice, service, and shared triumph. We honor those who first lit the torch with sacrifice, we celebrate those who have kept it burning with vision and vigor, and we charge those coming behind to carry it higher, brighter, and further.

Indeed, this 25th anniversary is not the last chapter of our book; it is a new title in our publication series.

For some of us who laid the first stone of this organization, this celebration feels like a personal win, a badge of honor, and a bragging right. To have been part of a journey so rich in sacrifice, vision, and triumph is nothing short of extraordinary. If this odyssey were ever transcribed into a movie script, it would surely earn a nomination for an Oscar.

The Genesis

The story of Eko Club International began with the voice of a leader in exile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who called upon Lagosians scattered abroad to remember our root and gather beneath one banner which would bound our hearts to home. His goal was for members to carry Lagos beyond its shores and showcase it on the world stage.

Our organization's story must not be told like a personal account; it must stand in the court of history, with documents as evidence and dates as witnesses. Our organization's story must be preserved in both memory and record.

If history is indeed a record of past events, encompassing successes, challenges, and accomplishments, then the following accounts of Eko Club International's journey since its formation in September 2000 provides a truthful and accurate reflection of its significant achievements and the obstacles it has overcome.

From its cradle, Eko Club International bore the seal of destiny, guided by the vision of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his exile. Although the organization was officially incorporated in Texas in 2000, the seed was planted earlier in 1997 when Eko Club Houston was formally registered, carrying forward Asiwaju Tinubu's call to pool resources and energies to advance Lagos State.

That seed soon became a torch passed across borders. The trio of Otunba Sam Dipeolu, Otunba T.J. Abass, and the late Mr. Yesir Ganiyu traveled to Canada to engage with their counterparts in Eko Club Canada, one of the earliest diaspora branches established in 1991.

A pivotal meeting took place in January 2000 at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Akeem and Biola Nosiru. In attendance were the three representatives from Houston, the late Alhaji Agiri, and Mrs. Abiola Nosiru.

While the formal meeting occurred in January 2000, discussions with Eko Club Canada had begun as early as 1998, paving the way for the 2000 meeting in Canada and the convention in Houston.

This meeting proved highly productive. From it came a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that cleared the path for the registration of Eko Club International in Texas. More importantly, it spread the great canopy of Eko Club International, USA, Canada & Europe; an umbrella body whose shade has nurtured growth in Lagos State and in the host communities of its chapters abroad.

The First Convention

Another seed sown in that meeting blossomed into the very first Eko Club International Convention, held in Houston in March 2000, with attendance from only three chapters: Chicago, Canada, and Houston.

Eko Club Houston proudly hosted the 1st Eko Club International Convention in March 2000. Two other chapters participated in this historic gathering:

For nine days, the Adams Mark Hotel became a stage for an event that stamped a milestone of pride into our organization's dossier. It was a gathering of crowns and captains, where traditional rulers, industry leaders, and Lagos State officials stood shoulder to shoulder. At its helm was the then-Executive Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A significant convention highlight was Asiwaju's official visit to the Mayor of Houston, Mr. Lee Brown. This visit resulted in a bilateral agreement between the City of Houston and Lagos State, marking a milestone in international cooperation.

The Enron Deal

It was also this convention that further discussions were held with Enron's top management. The Enron Independent Power Project – one of the largest of its kind - was an initiative of Governor Bola Tinubu's administration. This project was also a bold step to shatter PHCN's monopoly and flood Lagos with light without flickers.

Sadly, what was initially conceived as a transformative initiative to improve millions of lives was poisoned at its root by selfish interests and unscrupulous elements.

Still, the 2000 convention remains a monument in time. It laid the foundation for a formidable partnership with the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequent Lagos State administrations over the past 25 years.

Leadership Through the Years

From its inception, Eko Club International has walked the path of democracy, holding fast to values that light its way. Seven times, the torch of leadership has been passed through the will of the ballot, proving our enduring commitment to orderly transitions and stability:

Community Impact & Projects

This proud record of steady democratic leadership has made Eko Club International a poster child of stability. Over the last 25 years, Eko Club International has lived out its creed with a litany of life-changing initiatives that have reached the very heart of society, particularly the underprivileged.

A crown jewel project of this club is the Medical Mission, exclusively championed by the parent body. This project carries a healing touch with free medical services for the people of Lagos State. These services have included surgeries, dental care, and the provision of eyeglasses, all at no cost to beneficiaries.

Looking Forward

Eko Club International is more than an organization; it is a living story. These past twenty-five years have built a bridge across oceans, the heartbeat of Lagosians in the diaspora, and a tree with roots that run deep and branches that spread wide. We have faced trials and turned them into triumphs; carried burdens that became our badges of honor; and crossed distances that only drew us closer.

On this 25th anniversary, we are not just looking back, but also looking forward. The story of Eko Club International is still being written: each member, a pen, each convention, a chapter, each act of service, a sentence in our book of legacy.

At this silver harvest of 25 years, we give thanks for the road already traveled and lift our eyes to the horizon, praying for many more years of service, progress, and fulfillment.