SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AT THE GRASSROOTS: AKOKO NORTH EAST / NORTH WEST FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY COMES ALIVE…
Determined to ensure that every sector of the economy is advanced and life is made more worth living for residents of Akoko in the northern senatorial district of Ondo State especially the people of Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency, the stage is now set for the maiden BTO Mini E- Sports Fiesta among eight (8) selected secondary schools in the federal constituency.
The unique sporting events being supported by Padev iconsult, a private organisation is powered by a federal lawmaker, representing the good people of Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency, Rep. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, BTO.
The event featuring football and athletics will hold between January 23 and 27, 2023 in Akoko land with the aims of fostering unity among people of the area, redefining the future of the youths by creating a strong platform for rapid and overall development as well as bridging infrastructural gaps in sports advancement.
For Rep. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, BTO, impacting society positively in all areas has become a norm for him and he is always committed to promoting better living conditions among the people.
Having done creditably well in the area of infrastructural development, educational advancement, enhancement of security of lives and property of residents of Akoko and promoting “stomach infrastructure in many ways” the attention has now shifted to sports development which remains the biggest unifier across the globe today.
In a strong bid to make indelible mark in sports, a private organisation, Padev iconsult, decided to take the bull by the horn by birthing and supporting the idea of having a Mini E- Sports Fiesta among some selected secondary schools in Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency.
The first part of the assignment took the organizers to all the eight (8) selected schools where they had interface with the school authorities, briefing them on the reasons behind the decision to stage the tournament and what the future holds for the schools including the students who are the focal points.
To ensure even participation while promoting equal opportunity, each of the two council areas that make up the federal constituency has four schools.
Thus, from Akoko North East, the selected participating schools are…
- Victory College, Ikare
- Ikare Grammar School
- Agolo Comprehensive High School, Ikare
- Lennon Jubilee High School.
From Akoko North West Local Government, four schools were also selected to be part of the tournament.
They are….
- Eyo Oke Comprehensive High School, Oyin
- Ajunwa Grammar School, Okeagbe
- Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi
- Irun/ Ogbagi Anglican Grammar School, Irun.
For the organizers, the first port of call was the visit to schools in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State where they were received amid glamour and celebration.
At Eyo Oke Comprehensive High School, Oyin Akoko, the school principal, Mrs Mercy Oyedun, the vice principal, Adeniyi Jacob, and director of sports, Mr Adeniyi Olalekan in company of about 20 students including the games prefects expressed joy over the development while applauding and praying for the sponsor, Rep Olubunmi Tunji Ojo whom they described as God sent.
At Ajunwa Grammar School, Okeagbe the story was the same as the organisers were given a befitting reception by the the school principal, Mr Otun Taiwo Charles and the director of Sports, Mr Busari Lameed Olumuyiwa, other members of staff including the ICT Tutor, Mr Oguntomiluyi Tosin and 20 students which included the games prefects.
The team was also given a rousing welcome by the authority of Irun/ Ogbagi Anglican Grammar School led by the Principal, Mrs Oladapo, EF. Vice Principal, Mr Yusuf Ifedayo, .the director of Sports, Mr Olabamijoko Samuel and group of students led by the games prefects.
The train stopped at Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi as it rounded off the visit to schools in the council area.
At Akograms, the team was received by the Vice principal, Mr. Daramola Olusola, the sports director, Mr Komolafe Victor and a staff, Mrs Rhoda Abiodun in company of students including the games prefects.
Following the conclusion of the tour of selected schools in Akoko North West Local Government Area, attention shifted to selected schools in Akoko North East Local Government Area.
The train visited Ikare Grammar School and palpable joy was in the air when the organizers arrived the school.
Led by the Vice principal 1, Mr Ogunleye Ajayi Olajide, Vice Principal 2, Mr Mohammed M.T, and the director of Sports, Mr Kilani Babatunde.
At Agolo Grammar School, the reception accorded the organizers was warm as the school authority was highly elated to have them in their domain.
The School Principal, Mr Gbadamosi Joseph Ayodele, the director of Sports, Mr Sunday Kayode Stephen and the games prefect, Balogun Rufai described the visit as historic.
At Victory College, much excitements rented the air as the school authority welcomed the organizers in style.
Under the leadership of the Principal, Mr Ajimuda Adebayo Sanmi, Vice Principal, Eleder Ojo, O.J, the director of Sports, Mr Olaitan Olorunfemi Sunday, and Mrs Ajiboye Mercy Justina, a staff member, Mr. Badmus Adekunle Saheed, and a group of students including the games prefect, expressed their readiness and commitment.
The visit was rounded off when the organizers knocked at the doors of Lennon Jubilee High School where they were received by the principal, Mr. Bolorunduro Charles Dele, Vice Principal Administration, Mrs Ajaguna Nireti Fatimah, director of Sports, Mrs Ola-Olusi Josephine Foluke in company of group of students.
Keen followers of the polity believe that this hold step of advancing sports at the grassroots will have huge impacts in societal development while promoting youths engagements.
