History was made in Ikorodu Division of the state, as the division hosted its Maiden Ikorodu Division Sport Summit, organised by Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu local government who also doubles as the Supervisor for Agric, Sports and Youth Development in the local government.
The summit, which was organised by Strike Team for Akinwunmi Ambode, under the auspices of Ikorodu Sport Stakeholders Summit, was organised, with the aim of making Ikorodu Division become a sport hub of Lagos state, and Nigeria in particular. According to information made available to us, the summit is also meant to encourage residents Ikorodu Division to develop and maintain their love for sporting activities, both for competitive and recreational purposes.
Delivering his keynote address, Hon Babatunde Bank-Anthony, The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission who was represented by Dr Kayode Michael stated that sport had gone beyond mere recreational activities with huge business potentials for investors across the state. He therefore, added his voice to the need for the citing of Stadium and other sporting facilities that would promote the growth and development of sport in the division.
In his brief remarks at the summit, Prince Akeem Olukunga, member representing Ikorodu division at the Lagos State Sports Commission praised the efforts of Ikorodu’s heroes like the late Alhaji Solaja Alagago and Arch Onafowokan who contributed immensely to sport development in Ikorodu division during their lifetimes.
Prince Olukunga also berated a situation where the 40-acre property earlier set aside for the Ikorodu stadium facility is what was converted into the Jubilee residential estate at Oke Gbegun, along Shagamu road during the administration of Gen Buba Marwa as Lagos State Military Administrator.
Earlier, in her speech, Convener of the summit, Hon Princess Folashade Olabanji Oba applauded the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for his immense efforts towards the development of sport across the state, particularly in Ikorodu Division.
Princess Oba further stated that, with the right investment in sport development in Ikorodu Division, crime rates will be greatly reduced, as the division’s teeming youthful population will be productively engaged.
Below are some of the highlights of the communiqué generated at the end of the historic summit; That the LASG should, as a matter of urgency fulfill its promise of building a stadium for the teeming population of Ikorodu Division. The need for LASG to embark on the upgrading of all sporting facilities in the division as a way of engaging the youths
It was also agreed that, the State government should make Sport an attractive venture to private investors. That the division should institute a Sport Hall of Fame to celebrate past sport heroes and to inspire upcoming sport men and women in the division
Others include, the revival of the annual inter-collegiate sport competition should be among schools in the division and the need for government embark on the training and re-training of game masters in schools.
