22nd May, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi says the government of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has through sports turned the state into Nigeria’s sports fun spot and sports fair.
Speaking at the ministerial press briefing of the third year anniversary of the second term of Governor Fashola in office in Alausa early today, Oshodi said that a lot of things are going on for good for sports in Lagos with policy direction that encourage public/private partnership initiative in the country’s sports today.
He said: “Lagos State has through sports made Lagos, Nigeria, a destination for sports fun and sports fair. Through its continued partnership with the private sector, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development has continued to organise, encourage and draw some sporting activities to the ‘Centre of Excellence’. We have over time made Lagos the hub for international tournaments.”
Such tourneys include the annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship and the Lagos Sports Classics where at least nine international sports events are organised.
He said the list of partners continues to grow as the ministry now boasts of regular activities, most of which are part sponsored by one organisation or other as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Lagos has become a trail blazer in all spheres of human development and collaboration. Under the Public Private Partnership, PPP, the London Amateur Boxing Association extended an invitational tournament of Sir Henry Cooper Boxing Classic through the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, a private NGO for eight weight category bouts in London. The invitation provided the platform for Lagos State to be the first in West Africa sub region to sponsor boxers abroad for a competition; Lagos came out tops with 5-3 wins against United Kingdom team,” Oshodi said.