Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his administration’s resolve to revolutionise sports development, labeling it a vital tool for social re-engineering and economic empowerment.
The governor made this declaration yesterday, during the grand finale and closing ceremony of the statewide O’datiwa Under-17 Football Competition held at the Akure Sports Stadium.
The high-stakes tournament concluded with a thrilling final match between Ore Bombers of Odigbo Local Government Area and the team from Akure North Local Government Area.
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After a stalemate in regulation time, the Ore Bombers secured the trophy following a tense penalty shootout.
The winners, runners-up, and third-place finishers were rewarded with: New Jerseys and Medals, Trophies and Individual Awards, and Cash Prizes for teams and outstanding players.
Addressing the crowd, Aiyedatiwa emphasized that his administration’s ‘OUR EASE’ Agenda intentionally prioritizes youth and sports development.
He noted that the tournament successfully engaged young talents from all 18 local government areas of the state.
“Most world soccer stars earned recognition from grassroots competitions like this,” the governor remarked.
“That is exactly what the O’DATIWA U-17 Football Competition seeks to achieve. We will expose many of these discovered talents to international football platforms.”
He further promised that beyond the pitch, his government remains committed to promoting education, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship to ensure youths channel their energy into productive ventures.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Segun Henry Omoyofunmi, praised the governor for restoring hope to the state’s youth.
He noted that the governor’s confidence in the younger generation is reflected in the appointment of youths to key administrative positions.
“We are fully committed to improving the quality, organisation, and reach of the O’DATIWA 2026 edition,” Omoyofunmi added, promising an even more expansive scouting network for the next year.
The event attracted a large gathering of state leaders and sports enthusiasts, including the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami; the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti; and the Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa.
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Also in attendance were members of the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly, as well as local government chairmen and other top government functionaries.
The ceremony concluded with the official presentation of medals and the trophy to the victorious Ore Bombers, signaling a successful end to a tournament that has become a cornerstone of grassroots sports in the Sunshine State.
