Sports
Photos As Minister, Foreign Partners, Others Hunt Talents At Obasa Cup
Photos As Minister, Foreign Partners, Others Hunt Talents At Obasa Cup
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has promised a partnership between the Federal Government and the sporting community in Agege to make the Obasa Cup football tournament a state-wide event.
Olawande made the promise at the weekend at the Anwaru-Islam School venue of the final sporting event which began a month ago in honour of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
This was even as top European football agents, Sosnovchi Veniami and Sharif Tariq as well as Busola Akinyemi, acclaimed FIFA player agent and Alhaji Datti Umar Yusuf of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), identified talents who they plan to nurture for national and international placements.
Speaking at the event, Olawande stressed the need for constant youth engagements by well-meaning Nigerians adding that the government was open to ideas that would give citizens of young ages a sense of belonging.
The Minister, while commending Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, founder of Vinod Football Academy and organiser of the tournament, for the positive impact in the youth of Agege, said he would be a part of further discussions to expand the scope of the tournament.
In his remarks, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promised to sponsor some of the local footballers to Spain to play professionally.
“A football club is coming from Spain by February 2024 to harness talents in Lagos and they will start from Agege,” he said while urging Abdul-Ganiyu not to relent in making Agege the hub of football talents in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Speaker Obasa noted that beyond sports, the event inadvertently celebrated Agege and its richness.
The Speaker, who noted the importance of sports in any society that aims at development, said it was in the interest of the public that the Lagos Sports Commission Law was amended to broaden the vision of the state in that area.
“Looking at the developed nations, you would see that the sports industry has become so great to the extent that we now have no choice than to attend to the interests of our youth here in Nigeria. We just have to do something.
“If we put down N20 million annually to grow the Lagos League for example, imagine how many teams would be struggling to win that amount. Let’s put N10 million on boxing or table tennis too and you will see what would happen. This is one of the best ways to take the youth out of the streets.
“Sports is a way to get out of unemployment and insecurity and I have told the Commissioner for Sports that we have to do this together for the interest of the public.
“Imagine the number of people that would gather should an Agege team be playing a team from Lagos Island. Also imagine how this would boost micro and small businesses and the economy at such times,” he said.
Thanking the organiser of the tournament and his team, the Speaker promised to be involved in subsequent editions so that the event would spread across the entire state.
Abdul-Ganiyu said he decided to establish a football academy and the sporting event to bridge a gap and reduce the lapses in grassroots sports development that need to be corrected.
“Apart from that, there are too many talents at the grassroots, but very limited opportunities to bring them to the forefront. I felt there was a need to change the narrative,” he said.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The Queen Returns: Ogundele Rasheedat’s Golden Comeback Story
She conquered Port Harcourt in 2011. Dominated Lagos in 2012. Nearly reclaimed her throne in Delta in 2022. Now, Nigerian table tennis veteran, international umpire, ( Ogundele Rasheedat ) is back and she’s aiming for gold at the ongoing OGUN National Sports Festival Games 2025.
Representing Delta State, Rasheedat returns to the table with a bold mission: to reclaim her crown in the Women’s Singles category and complete her Sports Festival Games legacy with yet another gold medal.
“I’ve stood at the top before and I’m here for the gold again,” said Rasheedat confidently in an interview. “This is more than a competition. This is legacy, redemption, and proof that champions don’t fade, they evolve.”
Rasheedat is not your everyday athlete. She wears two hats like a boss, a decorated table tennis player and a certified international umpire. She’s been repping Nigeria not just as a competitor but also as an official on global stages. That’s rare.
Check out her record:
Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Port Harcourt Festival Games (2011)
Gold Medal – Women’s Singles, Lagos Festival Games (2012)
Silver Medal – Women’s Singles, Delta Festival Games (2022)
This year in Abeokuta, she’s not just coming to participate, she’s writing the next chapter of her legacy. And fans are rooting for her all the way. She’s a living proof that you can be versatile, consistent, and elite. Her journey inspires not just players, but officials, fans, and the next generation.
So as the Festival Games heat up in Ogun 2025, all eyes are on the Queen of the Table. Watch out for her because she’s not done yet.
Follow her journey. Let’s show love, share her story, and support our own.
Follow her on socials:
Instagram: @its.rasheedah
TikTok: @its.rasheedah24
Hashtags:
#RasheedatReturns #GoldenComeback #OGUN2025Queen
Media Contact:
Feezyking Cr8 – PR Desk
Email: feezykingcr8@gmail.com
Phone: +234 703 853 1294
Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*
_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.
Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.
The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.
Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.
As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90
Media guru and highly respected on air personality, Jọlaoluwa Afọlabi famously known as J.J Jabulani is holding an elaborate 90th years birthday bash for his mummy, Mama Maria Ibipeju Afọlabi.
The birthday bash is holding on Friday, 25th April, 2025 at No 1 Ebute Road, Unity hall, opposite Indomie house, Lau junction, Ibafo, Ogun state. Many eminent personalities and media guys are expected to grace the epoch-making event.
Mama Ibipeju is a big business woman that trades on kolanut and gold in the 80s, she’s married to the popular pastor of the C&S church world wide Most Senior Apostle Samson Ọlayiwola Afọlabi of the revered Odofin compound in IREE town,Boripe local government of Osun state .
Mama is blessed with so many children among them is the ace broadcaster and media owner , Afolabi Jolaoluwa jabulani who is the last born of the nonagenarian.
Mama has great love and passion for gospel music spurred her interest in the usage of ‘SHEKERE’ in praising God till this moment and this singular act earned her the nick name (Iya Sekere)
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