Super Eagles 3rd Goal Keeper in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Olorunleke Ojo, has appealed to Kogi state government to revive sporting competitions in schools.
Ojo made the appeal when he paid the State Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones, a courtesy visit in Lokoja.
The Super Eagles’ goal keeper promised to organise a football competition to be hosted in Lokoja in December 2024.
He also appealed to the state government to renovate the Lokoja Confluence Stadium to host the maiden event.
“Being a product of secondary school sports and a winner of Governor’s Cup competition, I am appealing to the State Government to revive sporting competitions in schools especially the Governor’s Cup in order to harness the young talents that abound in Kogi,” Ojo said.
The Commissioner expressed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with corporate organizations to enhance educational development of learners.
Jones assured that the government of Gov. Ahmed Ododo would partner with cooperate bodies and relevant stakeholders for effective instructional service delivery and development of learners in the state.
The commissioner said that Ododo’s administration remained committed to an improved and vibrant education sector in the area of access, equity, infrastructure, innovation and development.
According to him, the development in the education sector is also a reflection on the development of the human capital in the state.
He emphasised that the establishment of Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) Model Science Secondary Schools across the state with state of art synthetic football fields were meant to motivate learners into producing global stars from their abundance of talents.
Jones said that the School Adoption and Mentorship Programme (SAMP), which is a programme initiated by the Ministry of Education to restore the glory of education.
He encouraged stakeholders to get involved in the well-being of the learners through role modelling and support as well as motivating them for sports.
Jones said government would partner with governmental and non-governmental organisations and agencies for the overall development of learners.
“Kogi State Government is proud of our son, Mr. Olorunleke Ojo, because your success is a product of hard work, dedication, resilience and God’s grace.
“I encouraged you to remain as a positive influence and a shinning light to the state and a role model to the youths,” he said.
The commissioner prayed that God would take him to the highest height in his career.
In response, Ojo appreciated the commissioner for being a role model to him and urged him to continue his good work.
He decorated the commissioner with the Silver Medal won by the Super Eagles at the AFCON.
