By Akeem Busari
As the whole country eagerly looks forward to the 2023 General Elections, 12 prominent Nigerians have been lined up for recognition at the maiden of the Good Governance Awards, slated to hold October 1-3, 2022, at the refurbished famous Olubadan Stadium Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Deputy Governor Of Oyo State Barrister Bayo Lawal is expected to lead others including Engr. Dotun Sanusi, the owner of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts, Barrister Rotimi Alli, Ibadan City Polytechnic, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote, Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, Olufemi Ajao, Hon. Adebayo Rawlings, Barr. Jubril Olanrewanju and Princess Arewa Folashade Adeyemi to receive the prestigious awards.
The 3-day programme with the auspicious theme; ‘Play Football For Good Governance’, which is powered by Aroka Media Network and Kayode Idowu, fondly called ‘Skilla’, would start with the awards ceremony on the 1st of October, and followed by two days of top class football matches involving Ijesha Golden Warriors, Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ilaji FC and Housing Corporation FC.
Speaking at the event, veteran sports journalist, Ayo Ademokoya, explained that the programme is ostensibly aimed at further propagating the importance of sports, particularly, football in a democracy and its intent on the delivery of its dividends to the people.
” The powers and reach of sports, especially football, is unquantifiable. It has no stratification, no gender, no religion, no politics, even education, and financial or economic affluence does stop football to bring every cadre together.
“It’s a strong unifier of the human species, therefore, if properly utilized, it can be used to preach the messages of peace, hope and diplomacy.
“And we have diligently chosen a capable and renowned Nigerian, Barrister Jubril Olanrewanju as the guest speaker at the seminar to deliver the paper titled ‘IMPACT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SPORTS DIPLOMACY ON OUR SOCIETY’.”
He added conclusively that the 3-day programme, which is the first of several other events planned by his outfit, would help reshape and change the narratives of Nigerian sports, as well as, encourage well-placed individuals and corporate organisations to use sports, as a tool of national rebirth and development.