The newly appointed Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation to the Governor of Edo State, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, has praised His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo for creating the pioneering office, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to youth development through sports.
Speaking as a guest on the EBS 8pm news bulletin on Monday, 20 October, Hon. Ilaboya said the establishment of the Special Adviser’s portfolio on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation is the first of its kind in the history of Edo State. He noted that it underscores the Governor’s determination to engage young people productively and unearth sporting talent across every community in the state.
“First and foremost, I want to thank His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for creating the office of Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation. This singular gesture, the first of its kind in Edo State, shows his love and passion for youth development and for unearthing budding talents in every nook and cranny of the state.
“I equally want to extend my deepest gratitude to him for finding me worthy to drive this project. I want to assure the good people of Edo State that I am equal to the task and will do my very best to restore vibrancy to grassroots sports development in our dear state.”
The former Executive Director of the Edo State Sports Commission and one-time Chairman of the Edo State Football Association outlined the strategic steps his office will take. He said a comprehensive policy framework is already being developed to fully express the Governor’s vision of using sports as a tool for continuous youth engagement.
“Beyond talent discovery, the Governor’s vision is to keep our youths productively occupied so that they have little or no time for social vices,” Ilaboya explained.
“Everyone is already praising His Excellency for his pragmatic approach to curbing cultism in Edo State. Sports remains one of the most effective drivers for engaging and keeping young people productively busy.
“This is why we must be deliberate and intentional in this onerous assignment as well. We are designing a holistic, year-round strategy that will keep the youth engaged in line with the Governor’s vision. Our immediate priority is to engage grassroots stakeholders to secure their buy-in. Next, we will roll out a train-the-trainers programme to build a network of competent partners at the community level.
“We will also work closely with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other relevant youth-focused agencies in the state, Hon Ilaboya explained.
Governor Okpebholo announced Hon. Frank Ilaboya’s appointment as Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation on 9 October, 2026, a move widely hailed as a strategic step towards deepening youth engagement and sports development across Edo State.