SPORTS: SUSTAINING AYOOLA’S LEGACIES IN AJIF LG WITH THE NATHANIEL IDOWU PITCH

May 14, 2022 | Sports | 0 comments

Written By Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo

The overriding influence of Fatai Adekunle Ayoola’s political administration in the grassroots is rather compelling for a Die-Hard critic to dispel, especially with state-of-the-art educational infrastructures and other social amenities in Ajegunle. And now that the council mayor Ayoola has made himself synonymous with excellence through masses-oriented projects and programs, and with the evolution of sports development and construction of international standard sporting facilities in AJIF LGA. In this special edition of BIG DEAL, the spotlight is premised on the maintenance culture and how to sustain the legacies of Fatai Adekunle Ayoola through the newly constructed Nathaniel Idowu Pitch in one of the most populous communities in Lagos State, writes Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo.

It is now a common perception that Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, the executive chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, was going to deliver infrastructural projects for the people of Ajegunle every quarter of the year. He didn’t disappoint residents in AJIF LGA, when he officially opened the newly constructed standard Astroturf football pitch inside Unity Pry School, in the Awodi-Ora community of the LG.

To the people, it is another political feather added to the growing legacies of Fatai Adekunle Ayoola as executive chairman in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area.

The newly constructed football pitch, which was named after late Chief {Dr.} Nathaniel Olabiyi Idowu {OFR}, a philanthropist, is another ground-breaking project in the development of football and sports generally in Ajegunle. And the decision to name the place after the late humanist was not just coincidental; because sports aficionado; Chief Yemi Idowu, son, and representative of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, who manages the development of sports and other creative projects in densely populated communities, is instrumental to the ongoing construction of the Maracanã {One of the biggest sporting facilities in Lagos State, domiciled in Tolu community of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area}, hence the conscious need to immortalize the enviable feat of the foundation in Ajegunle.

Moving forward, the reawakening of sports development in Ajeromi-Ifeldun Local Government Area by Ayoola’s administration is significant for the emancipation of youths for positive referencing in the future. And this is an opportunity for many sports investors to strategically position themselves in the sporting administration of Fatai Adekunle Ayoola’s government.

Sustaining the legacies of the Ayoola’s administration through sports has been constitutionally entrusted with the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports Council. And the Director-General of the Sports Council; McAnthony Anaelechukwu, a seasoned sports administrator in Ajegunle, together with his team must raise the bar in the regulation of sports inside the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.

The Odion Ighalo 02 Arena standard astroturf pitch inside Oluwa Nur/Pry School of Tolu Complex had been saturated with private football club sides, who holds practice session on the turf. And while the turf; over the past two years had undergone continuous maintenance activities, the newly constructed Nathaniel Idowu pitch should serve as an alternative for football clubs to utilize for practice sessions.

While this article will not ignore the volatile reactions by residents in the Awodi-Ora axis, if they were denied access to the pitch by the relevant authorities, a robust but understandable approach must be adopted to enlighten the anxious residents and organized youth bodies alike in the area on the importance of expanding the life span of the astroturf pitch through adequate maintenance culture.

The Five-A-Side astroturf pitches that were constructed by the Ayoola’s administration inside some public pry schools namely; Zumurat-Ul-Islamiyyah Nur/ Pry School, Araromi Nur/Pry School, Goriola Pry School, and basketball courts inside St. Mary Pry School, Abukuru and Araromi Nur/Pry School are breeding grounds for talents developments. And these facilities have been maintained regularly to serve the sporting and leisure purposes of most residents.

It is now a huge advantage for sports development in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government once the Maracana sporting complex is officially commissioned and opened for public use. Sports investors and club sides are expected to have a wide range of choices on where to practice and use as a breeding ground for the next big stars to represent Nigeria on the global stage.

For Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, his legacies, and administrative drive for a better and improved Ajegunle society have attained global relevance. What should be pertinent at this juncture is the sustainability of these projects beyond 2025, when the new council chairman is expected to consolidate on the legacies of Hon. Ayoola in grassroots administration of AJIF LGA.

In the meantime, residents in Ajegunle should brace up for other laudable projects and programs in the Local Government, because Ayoola is coming again, and for this time, excellence and consistency by the Fatai Adekunle Ayoola’s administration will definitely find new ground for history and posterity to remember…. Don’t be left out!

Written By Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo

Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo is the editor at Project 3:16 Metro, an online news platform for rural and urban areas. He is also the Principal Partner and Editor-in-Chief at Project 3:16 Metro Newspaper. His youth advocacy and academic drive have made him discover the need to bridge the gap between youths, communities, and government institutions through his journal; Project 3:16 Metro. This he has also modified with the company’s website page, www.metro316.com.ng.

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