NAN-S-20
Sports
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Gbade Ojo, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, says sports is a tool for the promotion of international peace and physical well-being of the people.
Ojo said this on Thursday in Ibadan after being made a Patron of the Oyo State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
“When you see national teams play either in the Nations Cup or World Cup, all the trophies there are to promote peace.
“In the process of our interactions either locally or internationally, you will notice actions, reactions and counter-actions. So, wherever you promote sports there will be peace.
“Wherever you witness sports activities, there are spectators of diverse background on the basis of towns, states, countries and even skin texture, who forget their problems and hatred.
“Even at homes, people forget their problems when they are glued to their television set, offering special prayers for participants,’’ he said.
Ojo, who added that sports activities have become big businesses across the globe, however noted that sports in Nigeria were still at the pedestrian level.
He urged the media to harp more on this drawback for the policy-makers and non-state actors to promote sports and discourage cultural imperialism.
“Developed countries have tried a lot in turning sports to a big business. But we still have sports on the pedestrian level in Nigeria.
“Sports enthusiasts in the country today now patronise viewing centres to watch foreign clubs play football at the expense of our various local teams.
“We need to revive sports in Nigeria and develop talents to discourage cultural imperialism. Our talents don’t have to sojourn in foreign lands before becoming stars,” Ojo said.
While expressing his appreciation at being given the opportunity to serve the Oyo State people by Gov. Ajimobi, Ojo thanked the state SWAN for identifying him for the position.
He promised to support the association in all the capacity he could, and assured the Oyo state chapter members of better days ahead.
Adeboye Ajayi, the SWAN Zonal Vice-President (South West), while speaking, appreciated Ojo for his usual support, saying that his new role was to assist the association for greater heights.
Ajayi commended him for his usual advice, saying he hoped for a better relationship between him and the association.
Earlier, Niyi Alebiosu, the Oyo State SWAN Chairman, had said the association carefully picked Ojo as its patron after considered his usual support and numerous contributions to humanity.
Alebiosu said the new leadership of SWAN both in the state and country has developed laudable programmes to move sports to greater heights.
He said sports in Oyo state was in a poor condition, and SWAN in the state would not relent in its efforts at reviving it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an interactive session featured alongside Ojo’s investiture as the association’s patron.(NAN)
TAA/DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Olawale Alabi)