The outgoing Chairman of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938, Tafa Zibiri-Aliu, has expressed satisfaction with the achievements recorded under his leadership, emphasizing the club’s continued commitment to grassroots sports development.
Speaking during a send-forth event organized in his honor last Friday in Ikoyi, Lagos, Zibiri-Aliu acknowledged the support of club members and highlighted key improvements made during his tenure.
As the club prepares to elect a new executive team on February 27 to steer its affairs for the next two years, he urged the incoming leadership to remain dedicated to the service of Ikoyi Club. The grand farewell, he noted, was a testament to the members’ appreciation of the work accomplished during his time in office.
Reflecting on his tenure, Zibiri-Aliu proudly recalled one of his major achievements—the reconstruction of the dilapidated road in front of the club, which was completed at no cost to members.
“When I ran for the Chairmanship position in 2023, I made a promise during our Town Hall Meeting to fix that road without any financial burden on the club,” he said.
“Many doubted the possibility, questioning how I could achieve it without being a government official. However, I assured them I would leverage my connections, and to the glory of God, the road has been fixed.”
He credited former Lagos State Governor and immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola, for facilitating the project, revealing that Fashola connected him with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja, which ultimately carried out the work at no cost to the club.
Zibiri-Aliu acknowledged that his prior experience as the club’s Vice Chairman had adequately prepared him for the responsibilities of his role.
Among his notable accomplishments, he listed the reconstruction of the entrance gate to the Lawn Tennis Section, the successful drainage of flood-prone areas within the club, and the implementation of IT-driven solutions that have modernized club operations.
“The club is now fully IT-compliant. We introduced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and an E-Wallet system, allowing members to conduct transactions with the club from the comfort of their homes,” he explained.
“We achieved a lot during my tenure to uphold our reputation as the best club in Sub-Saharan Africa. As I step down at the end of the month, I do so with pride, knowing that I have made a lasting impact.”
On the club’s commitment to grassroots sports development, Zibiri-Aliu emphasized that all eight sports sections—Golf, Table Tennis, Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Swimming, Billiards (Snooker), and other sports—regularly organize training clinics to nurture young talents and promote skill development.