…says a panacea to youths restiveness
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House Reps flag bearer for Somolu Federal Constituency, Hon. Seyi Olowu has tasked youths in Shomolu/ Bariga area of Lagos State to dissipate their energies on fruitful ventures especially sporting activities, given the positively beneficial potentials inherent in them.
Olowu fondly called ‘Chicago’ made the call at a pre event press conference to herald the maiden edition of the football tournament-‘Chicago Soccer Championship’, tagged ‘The Youths Have A Voice Your Votes Count’ in Somolu,Lagos.
Speaking at the forum, Hon. Olowu noted that the drive to organize the soccer Championship stems from his love for sport and advancement of any course related to the youths capacity building.
According to him Somolu/Bariga has a world view that needed a rebrand as it relates to crime and social vices, he cited football as a major unifier with which everyone tends to bond so well.
“We want our youths to fair better in other good things not hooliganism or social vices. You all are champions. We will ensure all winners from 1st to 3rd position will get cash prizes, 200,000,125,000,75,000 naira respectively.
“Our youths must be different from other areas, there will be security all the time. We need to change the narrative we must be known for great things. Scouters will be around to pick great players.
“The lofty dream is for players from Bariga and Shomolu to make the list of super eagles team in the nearest future, also if you can predict a match before the match starts you will get a token.
“This alone will reduce the crime level in the area, sport especially football affords them a better avenue to dissipate their energies instead of engaging in shameful ventures.”
The tournament kick-off date is 3rd October 2022 and aside the cash prizes for first, second and third position winners will take home there are lots more consolation prizes for other participants.
Thirteen teams were seeded for the tournament which will take place at the Shepherd hill Baptist Church field Obanikoro, Headliner FC is the stand-by team, while Young Lad FC Versus Toriola FC is seeded for the first match, followed by Unique FC Versus Sly FC ,HOP FC Versus Morning Star, Orio FC Versus De Legend FC, Akoko FC Versus Evergreen FC and Cyon FC Versus All Star FC, six matches in all, the winners from this stage will then take the game further.
The team manager of Headliner FC Mr. Oluwaseun Oshinlaja was on hand to further boost the morale of the teams present at the forum, he charged them to be of good conduct and to avoid all forms of violence and skirmishes brewing development that might ensue during the tournament.
The Director General of Chicago 2023 Campaign Organisation Prince Oluwagbemiga Ogunji, counseled the seeded teams to do all in their powers to bolster Chigaco electoral chances much more by identifying with his candidature and eventual victory.
He added that much more goodies are in stock for the sportsmen once Hon. Oluwaseyi Olowu emerges victorious at polls come 2023 general election.
Mr. Adekunle Olatoye the Evergreen Football Academy Coach Obanikoro, who officiated the match seeding process, while commenting on the noble gesture of Hon. Oluwo describes the tournament as a good stop in the right direction, as it will help halt the social vices prevalent amongst the youths of Somolu/Bariga, he noted that 260 youths from the thirteen teams will benefit from the sport competition.
He enjoined other politicians to embrace this kind of intervention role to salvage the precarious situation.