NAN-S-20
Inauguration
Omu-Aran (Kwara) March 20, 2017 (NAN) To engender healthy life style and promote tennis among inhabitants, the Omu-Aran Tennis Club was inaugurated on Sunday in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara.
Speaking at the inauguration, the club’s Promoter, Alhaji Musa Salami, said the club was conceived to promote sports and improve the socio-economic development of Omu-Aran community and its environs.
Salami, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Mucenty Hotels, Omu-Aran, said the project was also geared toward encouraging both old and young to take active part in sports and other recreational activities.
The promoter said that gone were the days when hotel businesses were only associated with merriment and other social activities.
He said the role of hotel management to complement governments’ efforts at promoting tourism, recreation and sports, especially at the grassroots, could not be over-emphasised.
Salami said the hotel, established about five years ago, had since inception inculcated as part of its vision the need to put in place adequate recreational facilities as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
According to him, the idea to float a tennis club for the community was inspired by the notable achievements such similar projects had impacted the wellbeing of the people across the states.
He said the Ikoyi Tennis Club as well as Yoruba Tennis Club, based in Lagos, had brought glory and the desired development to the people and the state where they were located.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an Interim Board of Trustees to run the affairs of the club for the next six months was also inaugurated.
Waliu Sanni, the Business Manager, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Omu-Aran District, became the pioneer President of the club, while Ashaolu Emmanuel, Manager, Iloffa Micro-finance Bank was elected Secretary.
Sanni, the club’s pioneer president, in his acceptance speech, expressed the optimism that the club would surpass its intended objectives.
“We are not going to live any stone unturned by exploring the opportunities provided by the establishment of the club toward ensuring the desired transformation envisioned for our people,’’ he said.
Oba Dada, in a goodwill message, urged the people to fully take advantage of the facilities to improve their physical wellbeing.
Also, Chief Jide Adebayo, a member of the club and former Executive Director of NAN, said the club’s inauguration was “unprecedented in the history of the community.
“This club project remained a good pointer to the high rate with which the community is developing in terms of adequate infrastructure, essential recreational and social amenities,’’ he said.
NAN also reports that the tennis courts and swimming pool within the hotel premises was inaugurated by the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye.
The inauguration was witnessed by top politicians, academics, captains of industries and other traditional rulers, including the Olosi of Osi, Oba Solihu Adasofegbe and Oba Niyi Dada, the Alofa of Iloffa. (NAN)
ISHO/AOS/PDE
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Peter Ejiofor)