Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Promises To Use Sports To Create Job

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging sports as a tool for job creation and wealth generation.

Oyebanji, who stated this during an inspection of ongoing renovation of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, emphasized that sports in the state would no longer be regarded solely as a recreational activity, but as a strategic platform for empowering athletes.

The Governor, who expressed dismay at the poor conditions under which the athletes train, assured them that such situation would soon become a thing of the past as the administration is determined to revamp the stadium to meet international standard.

He also hinted that his government has awarded over Seven billion naira contract for the  construction of a state- of- the – art indoor sports hall, which is expected to be completed before the end of his administration.

The governor assured the athletes that his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for them to thrive, which include modern facilities and training programmes that would position them to compete effectively at national and international levels.

He charged them to remain diligent and concentrate on their goals and take advantage of the opportunities his administration is creating to develop their talents.

“I came here this morning in continuation of what we started yesterday just to look at what is happening at the stadium. I recall that I was here last year, I went round and I did not like what I saw and I promised that we are going to revamp sports in Ekiti State.

“If you look at the six pillars of our administration, one of them is human capital development, that is where sport development is and I made a promise that we will use sport as an avenue to create job and wealth.

“Sport will no longer be a recreation activities, it will be a platform for sport lovers in sporting activities to make money and we can only do that if we put in place structures and buildings that will allow you to exhibit your potentials.”