Education Minister Gets Inducted Into Epe Club, Urges Youth To Emulate Icons

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has been inducted as a member of the socio-cultural group, Premier Epe Club, Lagos.

The Minister was inducted at the celebration of one of the club’s icons, Chief Shakiru Akanni Bamu. Alausa, who was inducted into the Club’s legacy and serves as a worthy ambassador of the group, was presented with his membership certificate by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Club’s President, Chief Olayemi Dada and Chief Bamu.

Dr Tunji Alausa is one of Epe’s illustrious sons. Chief Dada acknowledged his contribution to the health and education sectors, describing him as a worthy son of Epe and Nigeria, and 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 the Club has 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. He urged youths of today to emulate icons like Chief Bamu, who has shown exemplary service and discipline and has impacted society.

The minister described the occasion as special, celebrating an icon, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki Akanni Bamu, a man whose life and legacy exemplify industry, integrity, community leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the progress of Epe and Lagos State at large.

Alausa noted that he believes that education goes beyond classrooms and certificates, as it is also about values, role models, mentorship, and community examples that shape character.

‎“Icons like Chief Bamu are 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 he described it as nation-building at its most organic and sustainable level.

‎Dignitaries that came for the glamorous event include 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.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hamzat, urged 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, stated that 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 and cultural group established in 1974 with 11 members, now with over 200 members, to support the government and promote development in Epe.