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By Gabriel Dike
The minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has been inducted as a member of the Premier Epe Club, Lagos and he was charged to Alausa, education minister inducted into Epe Club the Club’s legacy and serve as worthy ambassador of the group.
The induction ceremony was performed at the celebration of one of the club’s icons, Chief Shakiru Akanni Bamu. The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Club’s President, Chief Olayemi Dada and Chief Bamu presented Alausa with his membership certificate.
Chief Dada described the education minister as a worthy son of Epe, Lagos as well as Nigeria and acknowledged his has
contribution to the health and education sectors.
Dr. Hamzat commended Alausa for his induction into the prestigious 50-year-Old Club and urged him to use his membership to promote the ideals of the Club and support its projects.
In his acceptance speech, the education minister, Dr. Alausa, appreciated the Club for inducting him as a member and observed that they have carried out development projects in Epe.
He thanked the leadership and members of the Epe Club for sustaining the tradition of celebrating excellence, service, and legacy within the community.
The minister described the occasion as special to celebrate an icon, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki Akanni Bamu, a man whose life and legacy exemplify industry, integrity, community leadership, and unwavering commitment to the progress of Epe and Lagos State at large.
Alausa disclosed that he believes that education goes beyond classrooms and certificates, “noting, “education is also about values, role models, mentorship, and community examples that shape character.”
He further added: “Icons like Chief Bamu is a living textbook, they teach lessons of perseverance, integrity, discipline, and service that no curriculum alone can fully capture.
“This aligns strongly with the Federal Government’s vision under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places human capital development, value driven leadership, and inclusive national progress at the centre of our development strategy.”
According to him, when communities celebrate their icons, they reinforce positive social norms and inspire future leaders and described it as nation building at its most organic and sustainable level.
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said “we must learn to celebrate people when they are alive.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat, tasked the Club and Nigerians to mentor the youth and teach them how to develop the society and the country.
President of Epe Club, Chief Dada, said the group has awarded bursaries to indigent students and that in 2026, it will engage
the youth in programmes.
He described the Club as a social cultural group established in 1974 with 11 people and now with over 200 members to support the government and also promote development in Epe.
Among dignitaries in attendance are former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunlewe, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Chairman of Lagos APC, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for Environmental, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, former Lagos State Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye and two of her deputies, Managing Director, Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, federal and state lawmakers, local government chairmen and traditional rulers.
