Brief History of Eko Club Atlanta

Eko Club Atlanta was ‘born’ out in a conversation between Mr. Kunle Masha and Mr. TJ Abass sometime in February 2000. Mr. TJ Abass who was then Secretary of Eko Club Houston had invited Mr. Kunle Masha who was then the President of Yorubas of Atlanta and other indigenes of Lagos State living in and around Atlanta Georgia to the Convention of Eko Club Houston slated for March 29th through April 3rd 2000 in Houston , Texas .

After a lengthy discussion between the two, it became obvious that there was a need to establish a chapter of Eko Club in Atlanta area. Mr. Masha got in contact with Mr. Femi King who also resides in Atlanta and an indigene of Lagos State to discuss the idea of floating a chapter of Eko club in Atlanta . Mr. King quickly embraced the idea and both went into action in compiling a list and contacting Lagosians living in Atlanta and suburbs.

Consequently, the first meeting of Eko Club Atlanta was called and held at McDonald Restaurant on Piedmont Rd. In attendance on that day were Ibrahim Olokodana, Gbolahan Onikoyi, Yomi Laguda, Tony Agbabiaka, Kolawole Kazeem, Abiodun Zaka, Femi King, Kunle Masha and others.

The meeting was briefed, positive, and constructive and it was concluded with the appointment of interim executive officers as follows:

Kunle Masha               President
Kolawole Kazeem       Vice President
Femi King                   General Secretary
Ibrahim Olokodana     Asst. Gen. Secretary
Yomi Laguda              Public Relations Officer
Tony Agbabiaka          Hon. Treasurer

Subsequent meetings were held at Martos Club and Restaurant owned by a Lagosian, Samson Martins with new members in attendance.

The following interim appointments were also made:

Deji Thanni                 Chief Whip
Abiodun Zaka                         Chairman Constitution/By-laws Committee
Gbolahan Onikoyi       Social Secretary

The Major tasks of the then interim executive was to recruit new members, put a bye-laws in place and pursue registration of the club as well as establishing a non-profit status. Eko Club Atlanta was officially born three months later when a business registration certificate was obtained.

In 2002 the first election was held and a set of new executives were elected/appointed as follows:

2002- 2004 Executive Officers:

Kunle Masha               President
Ibrahim Olokodana     Vice President
Deji Thanni                 Chief Whip
Gbolahan Onikoyi       Gen Secretary
Lanre Oladega            Asst. Secretary
Yomi Laguuda            Public Relations Officer
Tony Agbabiaka          Treasurer
Toyin Ola                    Social Secretary

2004 -2006 Executive Officers:

Segun Disu                  President
Deji Thanni                 VP/Chief Whip
Lanre Oladega            General Secretary
Folarin Desalu             Social Secretary/PRO
Wale Jafojo                 Treasurer

2006 -2008 Executive Officers:

Ibrahim Olokodana                 President
Toyin Ola                                VP/Chief Whip
Lateef Balogun                       General Secretary
Femi King                               PRO
Wale Jafojo                             Treasurer
Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye Financial Secretary

2008 -2010 Executive Officers:

Ibrahim Olokodana                 President
Toyin Ola                                VP/Chief Whip
Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye General Secretary
Deji Ajiboye                             PRO
Steve Ojumu                            Treasurer
Wale Jafojo                              Financial Secretary
Azeem Adewale                     Asst. Financial Secretary

2010 -2012 Executive Officers:

Toyin Ola                                President
Deji Ajiboye                            VP/Chief Whip
Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye General Secretary
Steve Ojumu                            PRO
Soji Adeboye                           Financial Secretary
Azeem Adewale                     Treasurer

Eko Club Atlanta is the club for all Lagosians (migrated from Lagos, Nigeria) in the metro Atlanta area, which is one of 13 Chapters of Eko Club International around the world, and registered in the State of Georgia as a nonprofit organization.
Eko Club Atlanta seeks to provide humanitarian assistance to the poor, the needy, and the underprivileged in our communities here in Atlanta and in Lagos, Nigeria.  Part of our mission is also to impact our institutions of higher learning and our health care sectors in our community here and Lagos through our commitments and donations.