Known affectionately by many admires all over Ibadan as the ISG, the IBADAN SOLIDARITY GROUP could be likened to a tiny mustard seed that has grown to a big oak with enormous and great girth with several branches providing shade and comfort to uncountable sons of the soil.

It was around January 1982, when two vibrant and dynamic professionals, Architect Remi Adedosu and Mr. Martini Akande gave the idea of forming an exclusively Ibadan Club a deep thought. Within weeks of conceptualizing the formation, the duo commenced vigorous outreach for membership. The Ibadan Solidarity Group (ISG) right from the beginning of its formation, prides itself with drawing membership from qualified professionals from all known human endeavours. This well defined policy which has remained one of its golden rules for membership admission has subsisted till today. It is therefore not a surprise that the club has remained an urbane forum for highly qualified and well-cultured indigenes of Ibadan.

Foundation Members

The two conveners, Architect Remi Adedosu and Mr. Martini Akande had clear idea of the caliber of men they wanted in the club. Consequently, letters of invitation were sent out to the following indigenes, who all later became the foundation members at the inaugural meeting held on Saturday, 27th March 1982 at the committee room of the Green Springs Hotel, Ibadan. The list include the following:

1. Arch. Yinka Abodunrin (Principal Architect NISER U.I, Ibadan)
2. Mr. Biodun Salami (Branch Manager, Central Bank, Lagos)
3. Mr. Tayo Ayomesi (Chairman, Jayon Nig. Ltd.)
4. Mr. Jare Jenrade (Mechanical Engineer, Olona Motors)
5. Dr. Femi Lana (Chairman/CEO, Octeens Enterprises)
6. Engr. Wole Akinpelu (Dunlop Nig. Ltd. Lagos)
7. Mr. A. Adekanbi (Snr. Lecturer, University of Lagos)
8. Engr. Olalere Adigun (Managing Director, Sahara Engineers)
9. Dr. Babatunde Salawu (Medical Officer, Adeoye Gen. Hospital)
10. Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun (Controller, Production Services NTA, Lagos)
11. Dr. Sule Abasi (Snr. Vet. Doctor, Vetenary Office Ibadan)   
12. Mr. Duro Kongi (Snr. Lecturer, the Polytechnic, Ibadan)
13. Mr. Tunji Oyesina (Attorney at Law, Mesiogo Chambers)
14. Engr. Sola Ogunsola (Principal Partners, Unik Engineers)
15. Engr. Remi Sarumi (Principal Engineer, Ministry of Works Ibadan)
16. Mr. Ajibola Ogunsola (GM, Niger Insurance Co. Lagos)
17. Mr. Jibowu Owoade (Chairman/MD, Bibson Motors Lagos)
18. Arc. Segun Olubode (Principal Partner, Hoplan Design Group Lagos)
19. Mr. Adekunle Ajala (Director Research, Nig. Institute of International  Affairs Lagos).
20. Mr. Wasiu Akande (Purchasing Manager, Dunlop Nigeria Ltd., Lagos ).
21. Mr. Yemi Adeyinka ACA (Accountant Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibadan.
22. Mr. Gbade Ishola (Editorial Manager, NTA Network News, Victoria Island, Lagos). Absent at the meeting.

Chartered President

The survival of the club when faced with imminent extinction was due mainly to the determination and resilience of its first President, Engineer Abdul Lateef Olalere Adigun, known better in the society as ‘Sahara’. This indefatigable personality was able to navigate the club through the turbulent waters of its existence. The economic depression of the late eighties and early nineties took its toll on the economic well-being of members, a factor that kept many of them at a far distance from the activities of the club. It is on record that at a particular time in the life of ISG, attendance at general meetings reached an all time low of 5 or 6 members. It was a challenging period for the chartered president, Engr. Olalere Adigun.

He resolutely forged ahead encouraging the few regular members to embark on aggressive membership drive and not quite long, the effort began to yield positive results. The membership drive saw the emergence of the second generation of members and it was the much needed live-line which the club needed for its survival.

With the new upsurge in membership admission, the ISG became appreciably invigorated financially and its sphere of influence widened.

Formal Inauguration

The Ibadan Solidarity Group, even though has been in existence since March, 1982, its formal inauguration was on Saturday 6th April, 1985. The ceremony which took place at the Olubadan’s Palace Oja Oba was attended by the crème la crème of Ibadan Society. The formal launching was performed by Chief Kola Daisi, a Lagos based Lawyer and Business mongul. A lecture on a brief history of Ibadan with emphasis on the origin and meaning of names of certain areas such as Aremo, Oke-Ado, Isale Ijebu etc. was delivered by late Chief J.O. Ayorinde, the Maye Olubadan, an eminent historian and authority on the history of Ibadan.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Chief Daisi expressed happiness at the willingness and determination of the club to transform the city of Ibadan to a clean environment. He observed that the clean up exercise carried out by members of the club around the Oba’s palace was a practical demonstration of the Group’s resolve.

Leaders of ISG

As it was earlier mentioned; the longest serving president of the club remains the chartered president, Engr. Olalere Adigun. He piloted the vessel through turbulent voyages particularly in its formative years and infancy almost to the age of maturity. Those who succeeded him gave off their best to ensure that the ISG did not disband even in the face of serious difficulties that at a time in late eighties, attendance at monthly general meetings was reduced to an average of six to eight members. That was a trying period in the history of the club.

But there was a dramatic change of fortune when early in the nineties, a past president, Chief Gbade Ishola came to a general meeting with a young man as an observer by the name Waheed Ekun. Little did any one realize that Sunday afternoon that the entry of Mr. Ekun was destined to be the turning point in the history of the club. After he was admitted as  a full member, he then commenced an unstoppable influx of members into ISG, and in line with the tradition of the group, quality of members seeking admission was never compromised. Professional joined the group in droves and within the first, two years, the list of members has virtually doubled and 99.9% of such new members came via the sponsorship and unarguably, the golden age of the ISG.

With the increase in membership so also did the revenue accruing to the club become appreciable. That upward surge in membership that started early in the nineties has not abated till today. The ISG became the most sought after socio-cultural group amongst responsible Ibadan indigenes. Mr. Waheed Ekun, deservedly became the president of ISG and remains the current head of the group.

The following distinguished personalities at various times have had the privilege and honour to be presidents of the prestigious club.

1. Engr. Abdul Lateef Olalere Adigun (Chartered President) 
2. Olatunji Agoro
3. Alhaji (Seriki) Yekini Adeojo
4. Alhaji Abdul Azeez Makinde (Deceased) 
5. Mogaji Abdul Raheem Gbade Ishola
6. Mr. Dele Oyebola
7. Chief Tunji Adio
8. Professor Akin Morakinyo
9. Chief Waheed Ekun
10. Prince Larry Adeyemo (IPR)

The Ibadan Solidarity Group (ISG) decided to acquire a plot of land to build a befitting Club House from the Ibadan Metropolitan Planning Authority and in January 1989 a lease agreement was signed for a plot of land at the Oluyole Extension. In November of the same year, ISG decided to lay the foundation of the Club House tagged “The Solidarity House”. The ceremony which was performed by high Chief Samuel Owoola Lanlehin, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland drew a large crowd.

The development of the project was gradual due to financial constraint. But within the first two years the project was already close to the roofing stage. As the club was warming up to roof the building, a resolution was moved and unanimously approved that the building should be disposed of for the following reasons;

1. It was the consensus of opinion that the location of the site was too remote from the city centers and most residential quarters.
2. It was agreed that with the increasing rate of armed robbery attacks it was considered a high risk for anyone to remain in such a desolate area late in the night. 
3. It was also the opinion of members that having been allocated a new site by the Oyo State Government at a more favourable area, we should just dispose of the old property and use part of the proceed to kick-start the development of the new site.

After making full payment for the new property situated behind the cultural center, the club decided to commence the development of a new club House. The formal foundation laying ceremony took place on 12th October, 2002. This ceremony was tagged 2 in 1 because it coincided with the 20th Anniversary Celebration of ISG.

Immediately after the foundation laying ceremony, the building committee headed by Alhaji Awolola Awojobi commenced the development of the site in earnest and to their credit, with few weeks, the site has reached the DPC level. With the enthusiasm extruded by the executive and members generally, the project was expected to be ready for use within 9 months. The change of baton in the administration of Oyo State however brought a twist in fortune for the project. The Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) issued to us earlier during the administration of Lam Adesina was revoked by the new government headed by Senator Rasidi Ladoja. Consequently the project was abruptly halted. All expenses incurred on the project including the cost of land and payment for the C of O remain hanging till today.

With that development, the ISG had no choice than resort to hire premises for its club activities. Meanwhile, efforts are continuing to recover our investment on the property recovered from the club.

Activities within Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes [CCII]          

The Ibadan Solidarity Group has remained an influential member in the family of CCII. The ISG became affiliated to CCII at its inception in 1982. Infact the ISG could be regarded as a foundation member of CCII because it was one of the first ten members that attendance the inaugural General Assembly Meeting of CCII in 1982.

Since its admission into CCII, the ISG has never at any time failed to fulfill obligations. Infact, it has always surpassed the expectation in all. Besides, members of ISG who have served and area still serving in various organs of CCII have always performed creditably.

Conclusion

The Ibadan Solidarity Group has not lost the attraction its offers young professionals since its establishment. Apart from the brief period of lull in its activities, its resurgence since the middle of the nineties has progressed non-stop. The ascendancy of ISG within the family of CCII without debate. Our club has witnessed unprecedented growth marched with corresponding financial muscle. Above all, qualities are uncompromised. We  are reaching for the sky!