As part of activities marking the one-year anniversary in office of the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo, a series of sporting events were held on Monday , adding colour and excitement to the week-long celebration.
The highlight of the activities was a novelty football match between career staff and political appointees of the local government. The symbolic kick-off of the match was performed by the APC Chairman in Abeokuta North, Alhaja Faidat Sarumi Akintunde.
The political appointees displayed dominance in the encounter, with Hon. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo himself opening the scoring with a well-taken goal. Hon. Adebari later doubled the lead, sealing a comfortable win for the appointees’ team.
The match also featured moments of excitement, including a missed spot kick by Mrs. Temitope Akinode, Special Adviser on Women Affairs and Health Services, popularly known as Mummy Kay.
In another event, a competition final between Owu and Oke-Ona produced thrilling moments as Oke-Ona emerged champions with a lone goal scored by Amusan Fawaz.
Speaking after the match, the APC Chairman, Alhaja Faidat Sarumi Akintunde, congratulated the Oke-Ona players for their resilience.
She encouraged them to remain hardworking and committed, noting that their talent and dedication will continue to attract attention.
Also addressing newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Youth and Sports, Luqman Adesina Balogun, said the competitions were organized to commemorate the chairman’s one year in office while also discovering hidden talents across the local government.
According to him, “We want to bring out raw talents among our youth. By the time we clock two years in office, we intend to mentor the talented players we have scouted.
“We are planning to camp them and bring in scouts from overseas who will assess and possibly engage them so they can become superstars tomorrow.”
He revealed plans to sustain youth engagement through more sporting programmes. “After this one-year anniversary, we are also planning to organize a table tennis competition,” he said.
Balogun advised young players in the local government to remain disciplined and dedicated to their dreams, assuring them that with focus and God’s grace, they will rise to greatness.
