…targets a new feat
The winners of the third edition of Koko Street Soccer, the Ligali Street team in Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency 1 have described their state Assembly representative Hon. Lukman Olumoh, as a torch bearer whose love for youth development has helped to stall restiveness through deliberate engagement in focused sporting activities.
The team which was on a courtesy call to the lawmaker’s office in Alausa, note with nostalgia how the street soccer concept has birthed positive rivalry and competitive mien with gainful rewards, amidst the youths who hitherto engaged in all forms of social vices.
As the over 48 street teams prepares for the fourth edition of the tournament, the lawmaker maintained that given the fact that the youths forms 60 percent of the population of his constituents, about the largest chunk in the divide engaging them positively will help arrest the social vices that may arise, when they are not engaging in any gainful venture.
Some of the players who spoke with newsmen right in his office yesterday recounted their experiences through competition.
One of the Ligali team player Mr Ifeanyi was full commendation to the lawmaker noting since the beginning of the competition it has witnessed tremendous improvement courtesy the lawmaker.
He however, charged the youths to remain focused in whatever the know and set out to do adding that they will surely excel once they have the zeal and determination.
Muyideen Olagoke,Taofeek Afolabi and others noted that Hon Olumoh is a man of his word right from inception, adding that a lot of youths who are doing well now were formerly louts.
Hon Olumoh said: “I have lots of youths in my constituency, it is like a mini Nigeria, people from all tribes in this country and beyond are resident there.
“So I felt I need to engage the youths positively. Aside assisting them with their education in terms of bursary as well as helping them secure employment, not all will do white collar jobs.
“So while we give soft loans to the traders we decided to organise Street soccer from the beginning till final stage the participants have benefited huge sum of cash rewards totalling a little close to 2 million naira, at least the winner, 1stand 2nd runner up got N250,00,150,000 and 100,000 respectively .
“On a five aside basis across the five INEC recognized wards in the constituency, that brought us 48 teams that participated in the last tournament and Ligali Street emerged winner that informs their courtesy call as we plan the fourth edition.
“So it is an important way of getting them engaged positively and taking them away from vices like thuggery, drug abuse and other menace that are associated, once our youths are not positively engaged, that is the basis for Koko Street Soccer an annual tournament.
The lawmaker also used the avenue to counsel the state government and other political office holders to look more in the direction of the youths to drive existing vibrant sector of the economy.
“My plea for those of us in government is to even maybe as councillors, House of Assembly members, House of Representatives and Senator is to evolve programmes that can keep our youths busy.
“The state government also need to vote more money in the creative industry, such that we can get our youths positively engaged, especially in entertainment, sports and tech at the end of the day everybody will be better for it.