Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, on Thursday inaugurated a 1,500-capacity stadium built by the owner of Olukismet FC, Olumide Adegboye, in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Alake said the first private stadium in the state would breed talent, encourage youth participation in football, foster youth empowerment and skill development, as well as reduce the level of unemployment in the state.
The minister, who reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to sports development, said the Federal Government had put in place insightful policies to encourage youth participation in sporting activities.
He assured that the government would support Olukismet’s initiatives to groom young people to channel their energy towards sporting activities as this would help check delinquent tendencies.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, applauded Adegboye’s efforts, which he said was geared towards unlocking the hidden talents of the youths to contribute to the growth of the economy, rather than being incapacitated by poverty, unemployment and redundancy
Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Youths Development, Gold Adesola, described sports as a modern-day veritable weapon being deployed by youths to garner fame and prosperity.
On his part, Adegboye said the stadium was inspired by the need to create a platform to engage and support young football talents.
He said, “I remain committed to using sports as a vehicle for driving positive social and economic change. I hope that the new stadium will encourage more young people, not only in Ekiti but the nation at large, towards participating in sporting activities”.
