By: Aduwo Ayodele
The Kegites Club of Nigeria, University of Ibadan branch on Sunday, 4th December 2022, organized a press conference ahead of its year-long 50th-anniversary celebration.
The Conference with the Press was held at the National Headquarters site, University of Ibadan to discuss the trajectory of the Club, since its establishment in 1971 till date. Addressing Journalists at the Conference, the AB National Chief of the club, Omotunde Peter, a 400L student from the Department of Economics, noted that the Kegites Club International is the most socio-cultural club in Nigeria.
He emphasized on the core values of the club while stating that the club has concentrated its oasis over the years on preserving African culture and traditions. Mr. Omotunde pointed out that the Club in recent times has continued to be at the core of reviving cultural values even among students, with much emphasis on academic excellence as one of such values.
“Our gyration here every day, through our songs has tangible words of advice to open ears, to make people understand that the reason why they are here in the school, first and foremost is to do well or excel before any extracurricular activity.”
Also, a former Chief who led the club in 1998, currently an Associate Professor at the University of Maiduguri, Professor Biodun Ojo spoke on the Club’s advocacy on specific moral qualities.
Professor Ojo explained that “cultures are being eroded not because of Kegites club, but because of odd happenings within our social system”.
“In Kegites club, we follow African traditions. I’m not saying we should go back to every old practice. There is a blend of civility, modernization, and tradition already. But there are some good aspects of our values that we need to maintain, which is what we have been doing, a tradition we are passing down the line” he added. Other distinguished personalities at the event included the Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment and Job creation, LSF Olude Lekan; an Editor with the Tribune Newspaper, Mr. Sam Nwaoko; former Chief of the club, Rufus Olamilekan among others.
