Sola POPOOLA
Ikere-Ekiti, thecsecond biggest town in Ekiti State played host to some high profile personalities as the 1,500 capacity Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Standard first private Stadium built by owner of Olukismet Football Club (OFC) Prince Olumide Adegboye is commissioned.
The Ekiti born Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake who led a high powered federal delegation from Abuja to the event ,including Mr Ayodele Olawande , Minister of State for Youth and Hon Sunday Asefon ,Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagements commended the initiative.
Among the team were : Hon Akinlayo Davidson kolawole ,Ekiti North Federal Constituency two and Hon George Adegeye , Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos.
Speaking at the sideline of the commissioning ,Alake pledged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s support for Olukismet’s initiatives.
According to him the effort would go a long way in grooming the youths to channel their energy towards sporting and other productive activities ,adding that this would help check delinquent tendencies.
While commending the sponsor Alake disclosed that the intervention would enhance sport development in the state and beyond.
The minister who described the stadium as a pride of the country, noted that the facility would breed talents in Ekiti and the nation at large as well as encourage young youths participation in football.
He stressed the importance of sports in fostering youth empowerment and skill development, saying that youths through the facility and football academy would be engaged thereby reducing the level of unemployment rate.
The Minister also reiterated the Tinubu’ administration towards sports development, adding that the federal government have put in place insightful policies in encouraging youths participation in sporting activities.
The owner of Olukismet Football Club, said that the stadium was inspired by the need to create a platform to engage and support young football talents who have the energy and passion for the game.
He noted that he was fulfilled seeing the multi-million naira facility, adding that he took a cue from the outstanding exploits of the owner of the Remo Stars, Otunba Kunle Soname.
Adegboye said the philosophy behind the establishment of his Olukismet football club was not profit-driven but using it as a means for creating jobs for youths and serve as a launching pad to greatness.
“I remain committed to using sports as a vehicle for driving positive social and economic change. I hope that the new stadium will encourage more young people not only in Ekiti but the nation at large towards participating in sporting activities”.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji described Sports as a modern day veritable weapon being deployed by youth to garner fame and prosperity.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adesola Adedayo, the governor averred that the current administration had since inception placed high value on fostering strong and viable Public Private Partnership to reposition every sector of the economy, particularly sport.
Oyebanji commended the sponsor for initiating the Sport Academy to empower youth and expose them to great and blossoming local and foreign exploits in sporting activities.
Oyebanji, who spoke in Ikere Ekiti, on Wednesday, while inaugurating the stadium, applauded the effort geared towards unlocking the hidden talents of youth to contribute to the growth of the economy, rather than being incapacitated by poverty, unemployment and redundancy.
“The governor upon assumption of office created a separate Ministry to oversee the affairs of our youth, while the Ekiti State Sports Commission was made an independent entity to propel sporting activities.
“Positive results are beginning to unfold With the scintillating performances recorded by Ekiti State Junior Athletes during the recent National Sports Festival held in Asaba, the capital of Delta State recently.
“I am of that humble belief that this 1500 capacity facility will help in no small measaure to promote grassroots sports development in the state. With this facility, many hidden talents and opportunities will be unlocked in the sport sector , which will in turn benefit the state and buoy its ranking in sports in Nigeria and Africa continent.
“My appeal to Ikere community and users of this facility is that, they should embrace high level of maintenance culture and this can only happen when you take full ownership of this exquisite facility that was intended to boost the capacities of our young and productive population”.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said sports in this modern time have become a huge and profitable investment world over that had earned several youth p
prominence, fame and popularity.
“Some have also become successful and super rich as a result of good exploits they have in sports, so we consider this investment worthwhile and the state government appreciates this gesture conceived by a private individual and we are calling for more to be able to add value to the lives of our people.
“Since the inception of this administration, Governor Oyebanji has always appreciated the fostering of Public Private Partnership as a key to attract development to any State because no government can do it alone”.
Other dignitaries were; the Olukere of Odo-Oja,Oba Ganiyu Obasanyin ,Senator Senator fadeyi oluwole olubiyi, Deputy Senate Chairman Youth
represented by SA Political to Osun State Governor and Hon Sesi Whingan
Deputy Chairman Upstream .