The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake on Thursday inaugurated the first private stadium in Ekiti state.

The multi-million naira 1,500-seater capacity stadium was constructed by the owner of Olukismet Football Club (OFC) Prince Olumide Adegboye.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area, Alake commended the sponsor for constructing the facility, saying it would enhance sports development in the state and beyond.

The event was also attended by the minister of state for youth development, Ayodele Olawande; Senior Special Assistant on Students Engagement to the president, Sunday Asefon; the federal lawmaker representing Ekiti North Constituency two, Hon. Davidson Akinlayo; Ekiti Central Constituency One, Hon. Sola Fatoba, among others.

The minister who described the stadium as a pride of the country noted that the facility would breed talents in Ekiti and the nation at large as well as encourage young youths’ participation in football.

He stressed the importance of sports in fostering youth empowerment and skill development, saying that youths through the facility and football academy would be engaged thereby reducing the level of unemployment rate.

Alake reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration towards sports development, adding that the federal government has put in place insightful policies to encourage youths participation in sporting activities.

According to him, “It is very encouraging and I feel so honoured to do the commissioning of the project. What this man has done is to show everyone of us an example of social responsibility, an individual committed to the community where he was born and he has given back to society; that is what every one of us should strive to do, to give back to our community.

“What he has done with the stadium will not only serve the community of Ikere-Ekiti, but will be useful to the entire Ekiti state and the whole of Nigeria in general. I commend his spirit for the development of our nation.

“There are so many programs for the youths in this administration and if you read through the renewed hope agenda, there are a lot of items in that agenda for youth development and the president has done something that is very unique. If you look at the composition and structure of the cabinet, you will see that this government has favoured the youth and women much more than any other government in the history of this country,” he said.

He assured that the government would support Olukismet’s initiatives to groom the young people to channel their energy towards sporting activities as this would help check delinquent tendencies.

In his remarks, the owner of Olukismet Football Club said that the stadium was inspired by the need to create a platform to engage and support young football talents who have the energy and passion for the game.

He noted that he was fulfilled seeing the multi-million naira facility, adding that he took a cue from the outstanding exploits of the owner of the Remo Stars, Otunba Kunle Soname.

Adegboye said the philosophy behind the establishment of his Olukismet football club was not profit-driven but using it as a means for creating jobs for youths and serving as a launching pad to greatness.

“I remain committed to using sports as a vehicle for driving positive social and economic change. I hope that the new stadium will encourage more young people not only in Ekiti but the nation at large towards participating in sporting activities,” he said.

The state governor, Biodun Oyebanji who was represented by the commissioner for youth development, Adedayo Gold averred that the current administration had since inception placed high value on fostering of strong and viable Public-Private Partnerships to repositioning every sector of the economy, particularly sport.

He commended Adegboye for initiating the Sports Academy to empower youth and expose them to great and blossoming local and foreign exploits in sporting activities. (Nigerian Tribune)

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