The Origin of Kegites Club International.
Brief History of Supremus Comradium
The Kegites Club International is said to be two (2) years younger than Nigeria. This is due to the fact that Nigeria gained her independence in 1960 while the club was formed under the name PALM WINE DRINKERS in 1962 at the present site of Ibadan Polytechnic, which was formerly the temporary sites of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. Professor Chief Segun Adesina led the eight-member foundation team of the club during a celebration with Palm wine as the only drink available at the occasion and as a result he became the first Chief of the club.
Choosing of a Chief then based upon the number of calabashes of Palm wine you can drink. Chief Adesina drank twenty-seven (27) full calabashes of Palm wine to become the first Kegites Chief. Chief Biodun Banwo extended membership to female students in 1969/1970. Regalia came into the club in 1972 and World headquarters and National headquarters regalia were designed by fellow Fabiyi who later became a Chief at the University of Ibadan.
The club moved a day before the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, to its permanent site in Ile-Ife. Hence, early movement of the club to the University's permanent site before the school signified that the club is older than the Institution by virtue of her being there before the arrival of the school authorities. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (O.A.U) became the world headquarters and University of Ibadan (U.I) became the National headquarters.
The Supremus Comradium is allowed to exist in any part of the world so far as they fulfil all the requirement for the Ilyalization. Chiefesis coronations are done yearly formally. Before the non- members (comrados) are initiated, they are expected to bring one kobo before the initiation. This connotes a day the club is older than O.A.U. No Ilya is expected to initiate more than three times each keg year. The World headquarter is not an Ilya as most comrades think but the Mother of all the Ilyasis or the Federal or International capital territory since an Ilya means a branch of the club.
Initially, there was no gyration day except on the birthday of late Chief Awolowo, when members would gather together to drink in his honour. Gyration later came as a result of expansion. The grand patron of the club was late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He was a Life Senior Fellow (L.S.F). President Julius Nyerere and Gen. Matthew Obasanjo were fellowrized on November 17th, 1976 at the University of Ibadan by Chief Supo Fabiyi Alawo Ekun now an Archival Chief of National headquarter. The first president of Nigeria to become a member of the club was Gen. Gowon at the World headquarter, Ife.
Until 1972, there was only World and National headquarters. In 1972/1973, University of Nigeria, Nsukka joined the club. Poly Ibadan and Lagos State University joined in 1974.
There was keg expansion in 1978 when many Ilyasis were given kegs of office in order to spread the club.
- More historical facts with proof is welcomed for addition but with verification from the National Headquarters before addition
