SILVER KNIGHTS IBADAN
Who we are
A thousand nights ago in the United States of America in his inaugural speech, John. F. Kennedy said, we shouldn’t ask what our country can do for us but what we can do for our country.
Over 40 years ago, at a small gathering, ‘The League of Extra Ordinary Silver Knights’ put thoughts together and formed the Silver Knights Club with the sole focus then being the social welfare of their wives, children and professional careers.
The motivating factor then was to find ways of mitigating – for their families – the seemingly dull social atmosphere in Ibadan at that time.
Over time, The Silver Knights Club has metamorphosed into a socio-philanthropic organization with annual donations to motherless babies home, the Cheshire home and scholarships to students of schools for the physically challenged.
The Silver Knights, Ibadan is a family club of distinguished Nigerian professionals, academics and entrepreneurs resident in Ibadan. As part of its growth programme, the club recently established the Silver Knights Humanitarian Fund (SKHF) as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to raise funds and implement remedial interventions in vulnerable and needy communities across our nation.
SILVER KNIGHTS IBADAN
Our History
The inaugural meeting of the Silver Knights was held on December 5, 1982 at Davies Hotel, Old Bodija Estate, Ibadan. The minutes of this first meeting was titled – “Tactical approach towards solving the problem of Social/Recreational dormancy.” Eight young professionals, some newly married and some, still single, were present at this meeting.
They are – Dr Tokunboh Fabamwo, Dr Richard Amadin, Mr Gboyega Fisher, Arc Tunji Bolu, Dr Bankole Oke, Engr. Niran Fafowora, Engr. Niyi Ogunnusi and Dr Debola Roberts. Two others, Dr Bankole Obikoya and Dr Rotimi Jaiyesimi sent in apologies for absence.
The above – mentioned ten individuals are therefore the foundation members of the Silver Knights, and four of them, Sk’s Tunji Bolu, Bankole Oke, Gboyega Fisher and Debola Roberts remain very active members till today. Of the remaining six, Sk’s Richard Amadin and Tokunbo Fabanwo now live in Lagos, Sk’s Rotimi Jaiyesimi and Bankole obikoya in the U.K, while Engrs. Niran Fafowora and Niyi Ogunnusi withdrew their membership of the club.
For the Record
The first meeting of the Silver Knights was chaired by Sk Tokunbo Fabanwo, while Sk ‘Niran Fafowora was the secretary. The following important information can be gleaned from the minutes of this inaugural meeting:-
- The parliamentary procedure was adopted in debating issues.
- At the end of deliberations, the general consensus favoured the formation of a social club, which was not only expected to be very cohesive, but would also encourage looking after, providing fun and social outings for members’ wives, by holding regular dinners, picnics, visits to places of interest, watching of video films in member’s houses, etc…
- Minimum membership of 15 was agreed upon initially, which could be increased to a maximum of 20 later.
- Minimum qualification for membership of the Silver Knights, at inception prescribed that a prospective member-
- Should be a responsible person in a responsible field of endeavour.
- Should be responsibly married, or about to get married.
- Should fall within the age bracket of 26 to 35 years.
- Must be a discerning gentleman, worthy of association.
- Must be someone with a positive attitude towards the ideals of the club
- Should exhibit seriousness of purpose and be ready to sacrifice time
and material for the club.
Various names were proposed for the club at the inaugural meeting, which included Diners Club, Tactical Approach, The Club and Zenith Club. However, none was adopted, and the decision for a suitable name was deferred till the next meeting.
Drinks consumed at the inaugural meeting held at Davies Hotel, Bodija, Ibadan on 5th December, 1982, were provided by S.K ‘Tunji Bolu.
The second meeting of the club took place at the residence of SK Banky Oke at 7pm on Thursday, 9th December 1982 four days after the inaugural meeting. From the foregoing, SK Banky Oke is the first Silver Knight to host the club in his residence, and it was at that meeting that the name “Knights Club” was adopted for the club.