New Year Day Celebration: Ogotun Stand still to honor Ekiti Sports Commissioner, Hon. Michael Awopetu

It was a memorable home coming for Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Michael Awopetu when he joined sons and daughters of Ogotun to celebrate the new year day.

Hon. Awopetu in company of his wife, Mrs Janet Awopetu were well received with to a rapturous celebration.

The home coming was not only to identify with his people, but to further synergize and build a strong relationship with the people at the grassroot.

Hon. Awopetu who has distinguished himself among his peers in Ekiti polity with his leadership and man managenent qualities.

No wonder it was a rousing welcome for the soft spoken astute politician who has paid his dues both on the local and State scene. The home coming was part of his usual routine of visiting his people not just to celebrate but to keep touch with happenings in the community.

The home coming was equally to thank the people of Ogotun for their support since he assumed office as the commissioner of Sports in the State.

The commissioner in is usual way gave out some cash and foodstuffs among selected people who were identified for this laudable initiatives.

The empowerment was not limited to the spirit of the season but his continual way of giving and supporting the community which made him (Awopetu).

His love for the round robin game is next to none as he was present at the final of the Ologotun Football Championship where he presented a total cash of 75,000 naira to the first, second and third clubs that emerged from the annual competition promising to do more in subsequent edition.

Hon Michael Awopetu already writing is name in gold in the political history of Ogotun and the State as a whole.

The Commissioner was well received at the final of the championship by Mrs Febisola Oyebade, Ragent of the town, Chief Eminise of Ogotun Ekiti, Chief Odofin Emi, Chief Oisikin, the APC chairman in Ekiti South-West Local Government amongst others.

Signed,

Gbenga Adeleye

Media Aide to the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Ekiti State.

2021 Ologotun Football Championship: Hon. Awopetu rewards winner with Cash Prize, promises more support for Grassroots Football

 

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ekiti State, Hon. Michael Awopetu has reiterated his committment to continue supporting grassroots football in the State. 

He stated this at the final of the 2021 Ologotun Football Championship in Ogotun, Ekiti South West on 1st of January, 2022.

Hon. Awopetu said he was elated to have graced the final match with the assurance of doing more to promote grassroots football across the sixteen Local Government Council in the State.

"I'm impressed with what I saw here (Ogotun). "There are talents abound in the nooks and craniess of the State," said Awopetu.

"Football competitions like this can help us discover talents. We've seen a lot of talents in this town but am looking forward to all this talents coming to play not only for the State but the country in no distant time."

Awopetu presented cash prize of 30,000 naira to the winner, while the second and third place teams got 25,000 and 20,000 naira respectively.

The Commissioner promised to increase the cash prizes in the next edition and also reiterated his continual support to a have better Ologotun Football Championship.

Aunty Funmi FC emerged champions of the competition after they defeated Hon. Ige FC 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating 2-2 draw at the St. Bartholomew Secondary School, Ogotun.

Signed,

Gbenga Adeleye

Media Aide to the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Ekiti State.

Olanlenge tasks Ekiti SWAN to prioritize promoting Ekiti FA activities

 

The need to use the media space to attract sponsors for the development of football in Ekiti State was the fulcrum of the roundtable talk between the egg-heads of the Ekiti State Football Association and State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

In a parley held on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, Bayo Olanlege, the Ekiti FA boss while affirming that his board will improve on the existing relationship it has with SWAN, did charge men and women of the fourth estate of the realm to disregard competitions that are not endorsed by the football body in the quest to promote association over street football in the new dispensation of bringing positive changes to the Ekiti State Football Ecosystem.

In his opening address, the passionate administrator had identified Ekiti SWAN as key stakeholders in effecting improvements on the running of football in the State in a way that can rub off gains on other components of the game and sectors of the state, which can also be emulated by other states.

To back this claim, he cited the Bet9ja Leagues holding in several states, an idea which was visibly promoted by Ekiti State FA.

Hence, he solicited the support of Ekiti SWAN to achieve the lofty goal of developing youths in Ekiti by enhanced football administration, through the sustained promotion of Ekiti FA activities, projects, products and spotlighting grey areas for corrections, this, he said will ensure proper visibility that will attract more sponsors to football.

Reacting to this, Chairman, Ekiti State SWAN, Alhaji Qozeem Oladapo promised a more professional dealing in their approach as supporters of progressive strides in sports, urging the FA for inclusivity in media relations for a better union.

Other comments from former chairmen of SWAN in Ekiti State, Mr Bayo Babalola and Ayodeji Ogunsakin, corroborated the importance of a cordial relationship and promotion of local content.

Present at the parley includes board member of the EKSFA, Mr Adegboyega Afolabi together with a large contingent of Ekiti SWAN members.

Hon. Awopetu reiterates Ekiti State government’s committment towards youth, sports development

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ekiti State, Hon. Michael Awopetu has reiterated the State government commitment towards youth and sports development.

Hon. Awopetu said this in his office on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the Dr. Kayode Fayemi led administration is committed to developing and investing in youth in the State to develop their talent and skills not only in sports but in other sector.

“We’re are committed to engaging these youths in various skills to unleash their potential,” said Awopetu.

“We’ve done well so far to engage our youths with different sporting activities and you can see it paying off considering the successes we have achieved within and outside the shores of the country.

“If you take a cursory look at our programs and youth engagement in sports so far, you will understand that we have not only made progress but more of youth involvement in sports and it’s paying off for us in the State.

“Our strategic planning to carve a road map for sports development and administration in the State is also paying off considering 

what we use to have in the past. We will not stop at this but continue to reiterate our committment in developing sports,” Awopetu maintained.

Signed,

Gbenga Adeleye

Media Office of the Hon. Commissioner For Youth and Sports, Ekiti State.

Ekiti Sports Commissioner Bags Broadcasting Merit Award

Ekiti State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Michael Awopetu has bagged the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, BSES sports merit award for his various achievement recorded in the sports sector in the State on Tuesday morning.

The award ceremony was held at the broadcasting house headquarters in Ado-Ekiti.

Hon. Michael Awopetu was presented the award of excellence in recognition for his gaint stride in developing and changing the face of sports in the State under the the leadership of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The elated commissioner while recieving the award praised the BSES for the recognition with a promise to keep supporting sports and youth initiatives of the broadcasting outfit including the forthcoming BSES KIDDIES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP for primary school pupils.

“I find this as an honour and call to duty and serve more diligently,” said Awopetu.

“My sincere thankfulness to the entire family of BSES led by the General Manager, Olurotimi Popoola for a job Weldon. We’ll continue to support sports from the grassroots as you have been doing with the BSES Kiddied Football Championship.”

NMA hails Ekiti Sports Commissioner, Hon. Awopetu as a true partner in progress

 

Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Michael Awopetu has been described as a “true partner” in progress by the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA Ekiti State Branch.

The NMA chairman, Dr Kayode Ariyibi who met with the Sports Commissioner in his office to solicit support towards the forthcoming NMA Sports Championship to be hosted by Ekiti State said Hon. Awopetu was very supportive as he had magnanimously supported the Association where necessary.

Aribiyi said the Local Organizing Committee for the NMA Sports holding between Thursday 25th and Sunday 28th, November 2021 at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti was prepared for a glamorous and hitch free tournament.

Coordinator of the NMA Southwest Zone, Dr. Maroof Yusuf who was in company of the chairman said all necessary logistics were being put in place preparatory to the Nigeria Medical Association sports.

He also applauded Hon. Awopetu for his hospitality and finding time out of his busy schedule to host them.

The chairman Local Organizing Committee, LOC for the third edition of the Southwest Zonal Games tagged FOUNTAIN GAMES 2021, Dr Tola Obajolowo said the Nigeria Medical Association Southwest Games will feature games like Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Athletics, Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, Scrabble, Ludo, Ayo olopon, Draft and Golf.

Hon. Awopetu charges employers to pay more Attention to Corp members' welfare

 

Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Chairman Ekiti State National Youth Service Corp, NYSC Governing Board, Hon. Michael Awopetu has charged employers in the State to see the welfare of Corp members in their organization as paramount.

Hon. Awopetu gave the charge at the 2021 CORP Employers Workshop, theme "Optimizing The NYSC/CORPS Employers Partnership For National Development In The Context Of The New Normal".

The one day event organized by the Ekiti State National Youth Service Corp took place at the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT Secretariat Hall Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday.

Hon. Awopetu said there was need for Employers in the State to take the welfare and security of Corp members serious for optimum results.

"There is the need to pay unschedule visit to some of these organisations because some of them are not alive to there responsibilities in terms of welfare packages for their Corp members.

"There is the need for us to take a proper look into some of this organisations on how they take care of there Corp members because some of them are not leaving up to expectations.

"You get Corp members and you don't take care of their security, accommodation, transportation allowances and you want an optimal utilization, it can't happen. It a partnership and that was why we applauded the Director General of the NYSC for organizing this workshop across the 36 States.

The Commissioner stated that the Covid 19 pandemic has slowed down the Board in the State for carrying out it visit to organisations with serving Corp members.

"The Covid 19 pandemic has limited our functions to visiting these organisations but we'll start now," said Awopetu.

"Any organisation found wanting in discharging their duties and responsibilities to these Corp members in areas of welfare packages and security will be blacklisted.

"These organisations have to be alive to their responsibilities so as not to blacklist them."

Akinwunmi announces scholarship to four Ekiti State Cadet Team players

 

... Hails Olanlege on positive drive with Ekiti FA

Four outstanding players of the Ekiti State Cadet Team are to receive a year scholarship courtesy of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

Akinwunmi who was among the VIP guests at the maiden epoch-making Ekiti State Football Association Merit Awards told reporters in his speech, as he also commended the leadership qualities of Ekiti State FA Chairman, Bayo Olanlege who he said has taken football to a new level in the state.

"I want to firstly pour encomiums on Olanlege and his board members, as regards what they have done for the development of football in the state with a short space of time is massive.

"I also want to thank Barrister Churchill Oliseh, President of Nationwide League One (NLO) club, FC Ebedei for the expose he gave in the lecture he delivered on how he has been raking in on his investment in grassroot football. I now know how I can make money when I finish my tenure on the board of the NFF.

"It's a pleasure to see what encourages the youths because football is about grassroot. A lot of people think football in Nigeria is about the Super Eagles or Super Falcons, to be candid the game is about the youths, encouraging, rewarding and recognition. 

"What Ekiti FA has done by organizing the merit awards is terrific as it's about recognizing, rewarding and encouraging hard work.

"Delighted to see that the four players (boys) nominated for the Best U-13 Player of the Year were given scholarships by Ekiti FA. Let me state, that my foundation (Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation) will award them a one-year scholarship that will run for next year.

"I hope by next year when we come to Ado Ekiti to celebrate with Olanlege in the second edition of Ekiti State Football Association Merit Award, we'll have a greater course to honour the Lord Almighty."

Ekiti FA opens voting portal for 2021 Merit Awards

Ekiti State Football Association has opened a vote portal for football lovers of the state to vote for their deserving nominees for its upcoming Merit Awards.

The Ekiti FA Merit Awards ceremony which is billed for October is geared towards celebrating individuals and organizations that were outstanding and consistent in their contributions towards the beautiful game  during the 2020/2021 football season.

Bayo Olanlege, Chairman Ekiti State FA did informed two months ago that the essence of the Merit Awards was to thank individuals and cooperate bodies whose immense contributions ensured success of the association's projects.

The portal https://voters.ekitifootball.org/ designed by Uptech has three sections, Categories, Nominees and Sponsors.

To be eligible to vote, fans must pay a token of a hundred naira (N100) to vote for a nominee in all the categories at a time.

Payment can be easily done on the portal with one's bank ATM Card (Master, Visa and Verve card).

Interestingly, one can see the results of each category and nominees under each category section on the voting page after voting.  

Recall two months ago, Olanlege set-up the Ekiti FA Merit Awards 5-man committee which is chaired by renowned football journalist, Tunde Shamsudeen.

Other members of the committee includes the Acting Secretary of the Ekiti FA, Pelumi Abiara, Ekiti FA Media Officer, Ayodeji Okunuga, Miss Faith Yusuf, member of the EKSFA's Female Football  Development Committee and Rasaq Oboirien, a former The Nation/SportingLife Sports Correspondent

 

Ekiti FA in funds misappropriation crisis

Things have fallen apart among the rank and file of members and officials of Ekiti State Football Association, as prolonged crisis has stalled activities of the body, with fingers of accusation pointing in the direction of the body’s chairman, Ayo Alabi.