Sports

Full text of Engr. Dotun Sanusi’s Speech, Chairman, Ilaji Stadium & Resorts Center during The Closing Ceremony Of 1st MASM U-17 YSFON Female Soccer Tournament

Published

8 years ago

July 8, 2018

IT is my pleasure to welcome you all to this august gathering. For the seven days now, Nigerians of different backgrounds have been socializing with one another. Teams from different states have contested against one another and matches have been won and lost and to God be the glory not a single fracas nor confrontation has been recorded, be it from the officials or the players; this is a proof that Nigerians are peace-loving and that sports in general and football in particular is a unifying factor and a panacea to the socio-security challenges that have bedeviled our nation in recent
times.

Couple of years past not many people can predict that this community will play host to the competition of this magnitude considering the myriads of challenges facing it, but I will let us know what has been our driving force.

Besides God Who has been the pillar of our lives and a constant factor in everything we set out to do, our other secret that has been propelling us is that 6-letter word- BELIEF-. Just as
Leroy Hood once said and I quote, “don’t underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global movement, you need to have a core belief that what you contribute can fundamentally change the paradigm.

” With MASM tournament, we have been able to show that, given the right atmosphere, talents are abound in this country and our national teams should be competing very well with their counterparts in abroad.

At this juncture, I want to express my profound gratitude to the officials of Youths Sports Federation Of Nigeria (YSFON) for sharing with us the belief that Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Center and, by and large, this community, can successfully host an inter-state competition.

Ayefele Pledges Support For Shooting Stars Sports Club

Here in this arena, YSFON has recreated a mini national sports festival. Sadly enough, the National Sports Festival, one of the competitions that used to supply our nation raw talents, was last held in 2012. I am, thus, imploring the relevant authorities to ensure that the Sports Festival which has now been slated for November does not experience postponements of the last four years.

Without gain-saying competitions such as the National Sports Festival and MASM U-17 YSFON Female Soccer competition are incubators of sporting talents through which our national teams can be saturated with genuine global competitors.

I must confess that I am highly pleased with the conduct of the participating teams and their officials in the past one week but what gladdens me most is the quality of football displayed on the field of play by all the teams right from the group stage to the semi-final matches played yesterday.

Considering the high level performances we have watched so far, we have every reason to be optimistic about the future of female football not only in Oyo state or Ona-Ara local government but at the global stage.

However, It is an irony that considering the abundance of sporting talents in our country, at least judging from the raw talents we have witnessed here in this tournament, Nigeria national teams still record poor showings at international competitions; a good example of this was the dismal outing of our own Super Eagles which culminated in their exit in the ongoing senior world cup hosted by Russia. Thus, i want to appeal to our football authorities at various levels in this country once again to endeavor to send coaches to the grassroots competitions such as this with a view to scouting for talents that can do us proud in subsequent competitions. If our football authorities can take it upon themselves to look inward for young talents and subsequently provide an enabling environment with which they would be nurtured, I can confidently say that within a short period of time, our national teams will compete effectively with the football super powers like Brazil, Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, France, Japan just to mention but a few.

In view of this, I am using this medium to appeal to corporate bodies and individuals to see sports as golden investment and service to humanity. Sports, besides, providing gainfully employment to our teeming youths, will also serve as a tool through which crime will be drastically reduced. It is an open secret that majority of the crimes that are unleashed on our society are perpetrated by our unemployed youths who indulge in these illicit activities thinking that the society will give them the recognition they deserve once they have acquired the ill-gotten wealth.

MASM, an acronym of Madam Agbeke Sanusi Muslimat, is put together by YSFON in memory of my mother who passed on exactly ten years ago . For the benefits of young girls present here today, motherhood is a great work that God, our creator, also recognizes. It is not by coincidence that the scriptures (Bible and Quran) speak glowingly of our mothers. Infact, God dedicates a whole chapter to women in the Quran; all these is an indication of the exalted positions God Almighty has placed women in general and our mothers in particular.

This special focus to the entire womenfolk in general and our mothers in particular couldn’t have been coincidental; it is God’s way of the wonderful job our mothers carry out on us. Therefore, immortalising my mum through this competition is my little way of appreciating her efforts which has gone a long way in moulding this standing here before you.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has contributed in one way or the other to the huge success recorded so far. My sincere thanks go to Almighty God, the Author and Finisher of our faith. I am expressing my profound gratitude to the entire YSFON officials both at the state and at the national level.

My special thanks go to the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. I also appreciate the supports of Commissioner for Youths & Sports, Bar. Yomi Oke; Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela; Commissioner for & Housing, Mr Isaac Omodewu; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya; Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Chief Grade
Ojo.

Many thanks to Chairmen of Ona-Ara, Inukan and Ido local government, Hon. Buliaminu Ogundele, Hon. Lanre Adesina and Hon. Wahab
Oladejo respectively.

I also appreciate the efforts of management and staff of Ilaji Stadium and Resorts Center headed by Mrs. Olarinde, Coach Zico, Coach Sesan,
Mr. Ademola, Engr. Hawai who is the architect and designer of Ilaji Stadium & Resorts Center.

My special thanks to Oyo State Commissioner of Police, the DPO, Akanran and his men, the Head of Medical team, the media team, Hazeez
Ayansola and Mr Sport.

I won’t forget my friends, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyi (Ti-O-Common), Dr. Olamitoye, Dream Wise and many others.

I also appreciate our partners from PortHarcourt and here in Ibadan,
our local Chief Security official, the Head of Oloyo Village, Association of the physically challenged people, the entire Sanusi family, the participants and their officials over their outstanding performances in this past one week, everyone present here, the j here present, ladies and gentlemen.

I wish everybody a safe trip back home.

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Sports

Oyo APC Demands Probe of N5.5bn Lekan Salami Stadium Renovation

Published

6 days ago

August 18, 2026

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the N5.5bn reportedly spent on the renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The party made the call following the reported rejection of the stadium by the Confederation of African Football as a venue for Shooting Stars Sports Club’s continental campaign.

Shooting Stars secured qualification for continental football after about 28 years but will reportedly play its home matches in Abeokuta after the Ibadan stadium failed to meet CAF’s requirements.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the development as disappointing and embarrassing to the state.

The party alleged that the CAF decision had raised questions about the quality of work carried out at the stadium and the funds reportedly committed to its renovation.

Sadare said the state government should explain why a facility said to have gulped N5.5bn could not secure approval to host a continental competition.

He said, “Everyone in the state should ask Governor Makinde to explain the circumstances surrounding the stadium’s failure to secure approval for the CAF Confederation Cup and provide details of the funds committed to its renovation and upgrading.”

The APC also criticised what it described as the alleged delivery of substandard projects by the Makinde administration, citing the recent erosion that reportedly damaged part of a road project in Bodija shortly after its commissioning.

The party said the stadium’s failure to host Shooting Stars’ continental fixtures was particularly unfortunate because the club’s return to African competition after nearly three decades should have provided Oyo State with an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure to a wider African audience.

The APC therefore urged the EFCC and other relevant anti-graft agencies to investigate the award and execution of the stadium project, establish how the funds were spent and make anyone found culpable to face the law.

It also called on the state government to urgently address the deficiencies identified at the stadium and ensure that the facility is upgraded to meet international standards and capable of hosting major continental competitions in the future.

Sports

UCL Final: ‘I hope last year’s loss to PSG still hurts’ – Wilshere messages Arsenal

Published

3 months ago

May 28, 2026

OAdmiN

Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.

Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.

“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.

“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].

“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”

Sports

Ajibade: Super Falcons Eye World Dominance as Tinubu Rewards Team with Honours, Houses, Cash

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2025

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Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.

Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.

Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.

“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.

She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.

“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.

Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.

President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.

The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.

He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.

“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.

“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”

The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.

“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.

The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.