By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday disclosed that his administration is to make sport sector a top source of revenue for not only Oyo state but the entire Nigeria as a country.
The governor said this while receiving Oyo State-born table tennis star, Aruna Quadri, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan,
In doing this, he said the present administration in the state will continue to develop youths through sporting activities as well as by achieving development of talents through a massive investment in sport development.
He stressed that the remodelling and rehabilitation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex and other mini-stadia and training pitches in all zones of the state have begun to yield positive results.
Commending Aruna Quadri for making Oyo state and Nigeria proud, the governor said Quadri’s achievements will always motivate other youths to get involved in sports, adding that the table tennis star is not only a gift to the state but also to the continent of Africa and the world.
“I welcome you, your wife and mother to the seat of government of Oyo State. Let me also congratulate Mama for the gift of Aruna Quadri not only to Oyo State and Nigeria, but to the continent of Africa and the world. May God continue to be with you, Ma”, he said.
The governor added, “this is a good example of what we can do with the talents God gives us. For us, in the four main pillars of this administration, the last one, which is the expansion of our economy, taking as many of our youths off the streets, is actually working, as played out here. And the government is not relenting”.
” This is because we believe that some of the talents we can develop will not only serve as motivation to others but can also become big sources of revenue for the state and the country. It may be an appropriate time for me to mention that Sarah Adegoke, who won Gold for Oyo State in the last National Sports Festival, is now in Europe, Spain to be precise, to get taken over by a proper professional so that she can launch her professional career.”
Speaking further, the governor said, “we are also in the process of doing the same thing for Mubaraq. He is a 13-years-old and we are also sending him to Europe. I did this with personal funds, because we didn’t have any budget to support that”.
The governor stressed, “so, we will continue to encourage people like yourself who are breaking through nationally and internationally to come back to Oyo State and develop sports, and Oyo State will definitely partner with you so that we can do this in an organised manner, and also measure the result coming out of it.”
“This is also a good opportunity for me to meet a superstar from Oyo State. Whatever we need to partner to support your effort, believe that we will definitely do it.”
Quadri while speaking appreciated Governor Makinde for his support towards sports development, citing the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium and other stadia in the state”, saying, he was proud to be an indigene of the state, Quadri encouraged youths to get involved in sporting activities to reduce crime rate.
“I am very happy for this opportunity of meeting you, which I have been looking for, for more than 10 years. I will like to thank you for the good things you have been doing in the area of sports development in Oyo State – for example, the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium. The new face of the stadium has never happened before. So, it is a great success during your time”.
