It was all fun at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife Kingdom as the South West States Football Forum blaze the trail and rolled out plans to take football development in the region to the next level.
the Ooni of Ife Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll had in attendance top sports (football) administrators, coaches, former internationals, and stakeholders from across the country, especially from the South West States.
National Daily learnt that Former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation who doubles as the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi said the idea of having a common front in the area of football development in the South West was raised by the Ooni of Ife Kingdom, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll.
Former National team Coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, who spoke on the gains ahead called for total commitments.
Former Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation who is also a Member the House of Representatives, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran stressed the importance of women involvement.
The 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation who is also the Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi stressed the need for genuine love and unity among people from the region.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Football Association who is also a Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Otunba Dele Ajayi while thanking God and all the stakeholders for making the event a huge success, said all hands are on deck as the region targets lasting legacies.
High point of the event was the UNVEILING of the OODUA YOUTH LEAGUE TROPHY by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll.
The Royal Father who could not hide his joy and happiness commended the organisers of the event saying it will go a long way in bringing back the lost glory of the region in the world of football as well as foster strong unity and love.
Oba Ogunwusi who called on all sons and daughters of the Yoruba race and the country at large to live in harmony at all times, warned against hypocrisy and backbiting.
The Traditional Ruler who expressed his absolute support for the project to take football development to the next level in the region UNVEILED the OODUA YOUTH LEAGUE TROPHY to the GLORY of GOD and the BENEFITS of MANKIND.
The State of Osun (Osun State) was announced as the 1st beneficiary of the NFF secretariats to be built in all states of the federation just as the former Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mr Akin Akinbobola emerged as the Coordinating Secretary of the South West States Football Forum.
Members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club led by its President General, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo were on hand to entertain the crowd and add glamour to the event.
The South West States Football Forum led by Chairmen of each state football association is poised to take football development in the region to the next level with programmes which include the OODUA YOUTH LEAGUE, WOMEN’S LEAGUE and the WORLD CUP amongst others.
The immediate past Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Prince Dapo Ajibade who commended the initiative expressed his beliefs that all the dreams will come true.
The General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Rasheed Sodiya Balogun said the move has placed the region above others in terms of vision for development.
The event also had in attendance President of the Nigeria Football Referees Association, Chief Tade Azeez, President of the Nigeria Women League, Aisha Falode, Board Member of the Nigeria Women League, Kemi Adesanya, former board member of the NFA, Elder Dickson Adejube, immediate past Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports in Ondo State, Dayo Awude and former Chairman of the Ondo State Football Association, Dele Ogungbemi, former Green Eagles and Super Eagles players, Felix Owolabi and Mutiu Adepoju to mention only but few.
No doubt, this positive move to take football development to the next level in the South Western States of Nigeria will open more doors of good things to come now and the nearest future.