…as Makinde receives world championship belt
…says state is committed to sports development.
The Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, reiterated the commitment of his administration to sports development, declaring that the government will provide an enabling environment for sporting activities to thrive in the state.
The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, said that his administration would ensure the success of the World Featherweight boxing fight scheduled to be held in Ibadan on December 27, 2020.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated these while receiving members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the World Boxing Federation (WBF) title fight, at the Executive Council Chamber, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
He assured the LOC of the necessary support of the government for the success of the Nigerian boxer, Ridwan Oyekola during the championship bout.
“The present administration is quite committed to the development of Sports in the state and it is a pleasure that we have received this belt today. I have always seen title fights on T.V,” Adeosun, who represented the governor, said.
She added: “His Excellency would have loved to be here today because he is a lover of Sports. So, on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, I welcome you here.
“It is interesting that it has been 57 years, since 1963, that this competition came to Oyo State. So, like you already said, it is not by coincidence that it is in the time of our governor that this is happening again.”
According to the governor, when the government came on board, it made its priorities clear and sports development has always been paramount on the agenda of the government.
He added that this development accounted for the massive support the state has been giving its football clubs and the ongoing remodelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, among others.
“So, in addition to talking about what we have done in health, education, security and expanding the economy, there are different pillars we can use to expand it.
“So, with competition like this, we already know, it will bring people into Oyo State. We have secured the state too.
