•Celebrating 10 years of excellence

By Jacob Ajom

The season calls for celebration. In this clime, however, times are hard and need one say that it has become rare to see individuals and groups roll out drums and red carpet for any reason.. Not Ultimate Friends, Recreation and Sports Club of Lagos. The club which is an offshoot of the Ultimate Fitness Club, National Stadium Lagos, December 17, marked the 10th Anniversary of the official registration of their union as a corporate entity, by the Corporate Affairs Commission. The event which held at the luxurious Rockview Hotel, Apapa witnessed an endless celebration of excellence characterised by glamour, pomp and revelry. Awards were given to deserving members.

The story of the club could be likened to that of the mustard seed which, tiny as it is, brings forth a big tree when it germinates. The mustard seed could grow as tall as 20 feet. And like the Biblical mustard seed, Ultimate Friends, Recreation and Sports Club has grown to unimaginable height.

One of the Patrons of the club, Nze Ogwata Ifeanyi recalled the intricacies and underground manipulations that almost scuttled the registration process. “We were lucky to get to the Corporate Affairs Commission before the other contending group which was claiming they bore the same name. We got registered first at the CAC and got the Nigeria Olympic Committee recognition by dint of hard work and purposefulness.”

Patron of the  Ultimate Friends, Recreation and Sports Club of Lagos,  Nze Ogwata Ifeanyi lifts his award high  as President of the club, Hilary Akandu (l) looks on

President of the club, Hilary Akandu, who assumed office in 2015 explained why the club was celebrating. “It has been our tradition to celebrate every December.

That we survived from January to December is by His Grace because not all that began the year survived it.

“But more than that, we are celebrating a milestone in our existence as a club. This is our 10th year as a corporate entity, a period we have seen the club grow from a very humble beginning to the present height we have attained.”

The club’s achievements include the systematic recruitment drive which has seen membership profile rise from ten to over 50 active financial members, high profile connectivity which has enhanced growth in the businesses of individual members and groups and above all, the friendship and sense of camaraderie among members.

Akandu explained further, “Most of us are full time businessmen, lecturers and people from different calls. We are planning to do the unusual this year. 10% of our earnings this year will go to charity.”

He said the club had not lost its primary identity as a sports and recreation club. “We are planning to play friendly matches with some friendly clubs.

“In the past we have played the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), All Stars FC of Lagos and recorded some heart-warming results. We have had it so good.”