The 2025 Colloquium and end-of-year party of the steadily-rising Osun Intercontinental Club (OIC) has a precedent in the previous three editions, the last of which held in December 2022.
Notwithstanding the unavoidable break, members, who are based in Nigeria and abroad, showed undisguised enthusiasm and demonstrated same on December 28, when, in an appreciable number, they converged on the Mosab Event Centre, on Ring road, Osogbo, the Osun State capital and reunited under a convivial atmosphere.
Indeed, it was a moment of smile, laugh and contagious love freely shared by members to the amusement of their invited guests.
The planning committee put no one in doubt of their leadership model which rests on achieving results against any obstacle on their way.
Within a short time, they reached out to and brought to the event three tested public speaker in persons of the Deputy Vice-chancellor (Admnistration), the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olapegba, A Public Affairs Analyst, Dr Camille Yinka Anjous and acting Executive Chairman, Osun State Internal Revenue, Mr Solanke-Hamzat, all of whom brilliantly fed the attentive audience with facts and figures that illuminated some blurry knowledge.
Anjous spoke on “Political Dispensation in Osun State in 2026 and Beyond Our Roles, Concern, Opportunities and Responsibilities”.
He reflected on learning and distinguished between first-hand and second-hand knowledge.
While first-hand learning, according to him, is gained through personal experience, second-hand learning, however, comes from observation, instruction, and shared insights.
Anjous stressed that both forms are essential for growth, especially in governance and civic education. This idea was further linked to the difference between hoping and expecting, noting that progress requires structured expectations and planning rather than passive hope.
He also explained that strategic thinking focuses on long-term goals and sustainability, while operational thinking deals with day-to-day execution. Effective leadership, he recommended, must balance both, adding that without strategy, actions lack direction, and without operations, strategy remains theoretical.
The speaker defined politics as an activity that operates at local, state, national, and international levels, centered on the distribution of power and resources. Politics, according to him, is fundamentally about who gets what, how, and when.
He strongly noted that politics and fairness rarely co-exist naturally, making strong institutions and laws necessary to protect equity and justice.
On democracy, he explained that while democracy means power resting with the people, elections alone do not guarantee its survival, adding that sustainable democracy must deliver economic performance, improved living standards, and security.
Key democratic pillars he highlighted included the rule of law, separation of powers, and active citizen participation, especially through voting and civic engagement, arguing that a democracy that fails to improve economic conditions is likely to lose energy over time.
Solanke-Hamzat, the second speaker, took the gathering through the new tax act and explored its implications on enterprises and individuals.
He made a case for the new regime and said it is designed to modernize taxation, improve revenue generation and block multiple taxation, which had long been businesses albatros. He further stated that Nigerians have no reason to lose sleep over it because of its benefits to the growth of the nation’s economy.
Professor Olapegba spoke exhaustively on “Attaining Senior Citizens Age: Social Implication, mental health and other concerns”, dwelling, for effect, on his personal experience as well as that of his father.
Pointing out one of dangers of old age, he revealed that, to his dismay, his once very mobile father could, at a stage, not recognise his bossom friend, his soul mate with whom he grew to become senior citizens.
According to the scholar, the best approach to old age is pre-emptive action towards it, specifically admonishing the audience to prepare my mind for it so that when it comes eventually, one would be able to cope with its natural challenges.
The event, masterfully anchored by a member, an ace broadcaster, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Yusuf, combined intellectual cuisine with actual lunch of varities of foods and drinks. It also featured dance, photo sessions and after party soon after the curtain had been officially drawn.
Although President of the club, Alhaji Abiola Abioye applauded members for their support thus far, he charged them to be more dedicated by paying all dues required of them to be financial members as the club, according to him, is heading towards its much-anticipated inauguration next year.
A member of the planning committee, Alhaji Bayo Azeez attributed the success recorded to what he called club’s template upon which, he maintained, the committee built its planning.
Azeez revealed that guest speakers were sourced through friends who understood the club’s uncompromising preference for topics of general interest and most appropriate lecturers.
He further revealed, “Voluntary donations were reciewed, which largely saved the purse of the club. We intend to add other attractions to the future events. We have aspirations, most especially having our own club house which we believe would soon be achieved.”
Secretary to the Osun State Government, who is also an active member of the club, Chief Teslim Igbalaye admonished his colleagues to take advantage of the club to strenghten their individual relationships, saying childhood friendship is more valuable and enduring. “Rich men lack what the poor people have in abundance,” he noted.
The Bobagunwa of Osogbo offered apology to members who might have picked an offence in his actions in the previous years and also declared his forgiveness to those who may have also matched on his legs.
Engineer Kazeem Lasisi, a member and resident of Abuja, attended the colloquium and participated actively alongside other cheerful members, saying “happiness is free is very true.”
He added, “The average age of the attendees that shared friendship, love and fellowship. No discrimination, no hard feelings but only happiness, laughter and real recreation. The three papers presented were as relevant as attending a Harvard refresher course as the presenters were seasoned professionals. We cannot wait for the official inauguration and 2026 edition which hopefully will be better in content and organization.”
Another Abuja-based member in attendance was Dr Taofeek Owoseni who also delightfully awarded the colloquium a distinction grade for its reunification, education and leisure value.
“What an exciting moment to spend with friends yesterday at the 4th Colloquium of Osun intercontinental Club Osogbo! The three lectures delivered were scholarly presented and well received by all, and the venue was beautifully decorated and spacious. The presence of our members and childhood friends including the SSG of Osun State, Bobagunwa Teslim Igbalaiye made my attendance look like a privilege. It was indeed an opportunity to be thoroughly entertained with music, food and dance. I look forward to the next Colloquium to be as educative, as entertaining and more fun.”
The president clarified the identity and status of the club as a broad group of professionals from different religious and ethnic background, advising members not to place a restriction on its coverage.
“The Club is based in Osogbo, Osun State but membership is opened to adult male (Nigerian) of good character, integrity, Omoluabi values and meet the Club minimum membership requirements. Just like Lagos Island Club and Ikoyi Club accept members (Nigerian and Non-Nigerian ) from all walks of life but just based in Lagos,” he explained.
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