Island Club celebrates Nigeria’s 65th Independence with a discourse on Africa’s resurgence, featuring keynote by P.L.O. Lumumba, panelists Fashola, Akinyemi & Olanipekun, and tributes to Presidents past
As Nigeria stands poised to commemorate its 65th Independence Anniversary, Island Club, Nigeria’s distinguished social institution since 1943, extends a prestigious invitation to the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Lecture & Awards Night.
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Scheduled for Thursday, 2nd October 2025, the historic event will unfold in the venerable Peacock Hall in Lagos.
Under the eloquent vision of Aare Ayodele Bankole, KCOP, Honorary General Secretary, this year’s theme“Nigeria and the African Reawakening: The Giant That Must Not Sleep.”
sets the tone for a reflective yet forward-looking debate on Nigeria’s role in Africa’s rebirth.
The intellectual fulcrum of the evening will be the keynote address by Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, a revered Pan-Africanist and thought leader.
Joining him on the stage will be a stellar panel:
- Babtunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON — Former Lagos Governor and Minister of Power, Works & Housing
- Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, CON — Diplomat and former External Affairs Minister, special guest of honour
- Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN — Legal titan and educational overseer at UNILAG
The evening’s deliberations will be distilled by Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Director-General of NIIA, serving as Rapporteur, ensuring key insights are shared widely.
As the discussions end, the spotlight will turn to honouring both past and present guardians of the Island Club. Awards will be presented to:
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR — Current Grand Patron
- General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR
- Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR
- Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
These distinguished statesmen, all former Presidents of Nigeria, have served as the Club’s Grand Patrons at various times.
The evening promises more than speeches—it will be a confluence of statesmen, policymakers, industry leaders, diplomats, and thought leaders, gathered to reaffirm Nigeria’s promise and Africa’s future.
Attendance is strictly by invitation.
For more than eight decades, Island Club has embodied Nigeria’s spirit of unity, dialogue, and civic leadership.
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This year’s edition reaffirms its timeless mission—to help chart the nation’s course forward on the continent’s evolving stage.
Source: Read more at thecable.ng
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
