…….. To create more avenues for youths to channel their energy productively
By Precious Oluwole
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revolutionising sports development in the State, noting that sports remains a globally recognised vehicle for social re-engineering, economic empowerment, and mental and physical development.
The Governor made this emphasis at the final and closing ceremony of the statewide O’datiwa Under-17 football competition held at the akure sports stadium on Monday.
According to him, the initiative of engaging the youths meaningfully and creating a career pathway in sports for them is crucial for national development.
“As you are all aware, the youth constitute a significant proportion of our population in the country. Thus, it is intentional that the policy thrust of this administration’s “OUR EASE” Agenda, amongst other things, is aimed at giving due attention to youth and sports development.
“It is our unwavering belief that the O’DATIWA U-17 Football Competition will escalate and promote sporting activities in the State. The young football talents in the eighteen local governments have been engaged with sporting activities”.
The Governor congratulated the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development under the leadership of the Hon. Commissioner, Mr. Segun Henry Omoyofunmi, together with your team, who have been able to rekindle the development of sports.
“You have demonstrated that success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing. I assure you all that the State is determined to continue with this laudable programme to support both the young talented and established athletes”.
He acknowledged that the competition has brought the youths together and foster friendship. “We will expose many of our discovered players to the world soccer, as we all know that most of the world soccer star players earned their international recognition from grassroots competitions like this. This is exactly what the O’DATIWA U-17 Football Competition is set to achieve, apart from fostering unity and promoting the game of soccer through our youngsters at the grassroots level”.
Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that his administration shall create more avenues where the youth can channel their energy productively. “Beyond sports, we will continue to pursue policies and programmes that promote education, skill acquisition, innovation and entrepreneurship among the young people”, he concluded.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Segun Omoyofunmi appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to youth empowerment, to promote development in the State.
“Your vision and legacy has not only restored hope of our young people, but it has also repositioned sport as a valuable tool for searching for a future, timely discovery and economic power-to-power opportunity.
“Your confidence in young people has demonstrated to the appointment of youth in a key position within your administration”.
He emphasized that the winner of the competition, as well as the first and second runner-up, will go home with new jerseys, medals, incredible awards and cash prizes.
Omoyofunmi revealed that through this competition, a specific talent have been identified and a team put in place to represent our university in the Niger Tech Games scheduled to hold in Nigeria February 2026.
“This achievement speaks to the quality of organization and the impact of this initiative. Distinguished guests, it is also important to highlight that due to the cost of this competition, our competition has been hosted in the National Tradition Hall, in front of the Nigerian Basketball League, in October 2026 to November 2029.
“As we look ahead to the coming years, we hope and plead that the overall innovation work is seen as a great accomplishment so that our passion will be recognized by the National Government, especially as we look forward to organizing the World Baseball Festival 2026”.
He appreciated the partners, the Chairman of the Student Government, the Minister of Education, the President of the World Athlete Association, the World Wrestling World Association, for their support, collaboration and belief in this mission.
“I wish to assure you that we are fully committed to improving the quality, organization and reach of the ODIWA 2026 edition. We will build on the lessons learned, expand the opportunity of young talent, and continue our efforts to the broader sport development agenda of this organization”.
In attendance were; Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Members of the State Executive Council; Ondo State House of Assembly members; Local Government Chairman; Chairman, SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; political appointees; top government functionaries; among others.
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