The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Oyo State Chapter has appealed to the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde to resuscitate women’s football in the state.
Oyo SWAN through its Chairman Mr Niyi Alebiosu pointed out that women’s football is dying in the state.
Mr Alebiosu made case for the resuscitation of women’s football in Oyo state when he led other SWAN executives on a congratulatory visit to the State Commissioner for Information, Cultures and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun on his re – appointment after a change of cabinet by Governor Makinde.
The Oyo SWAN Chairman, while noting that Dr Olatunbosun stands out among other Commissioners serving in the present administration in Oyo State in terms of prominence and agility, charges him to use his closeness to Governor Makinde, to prevail on the State Chief Executive to resuscitate female football in the state.
“Honourable Commissioner, I want to implore you to please move it at the state executive council meeting and ensure that female football is resuscitated in Oyo state. Sir, at present, women’s football is in comatose. And it’s disheartening that while other South West states as Lagos, Ondo, Osun have female football teams featuring in domestic league, Oyo State which used to have two teams, no longer has any.
Nito Queens and Tewo Babes which used to represent the state in national competitions have gone into extinction. We want them back sir. We urge you to ensure that female football is brought back to live in Oyo State”, Alebiosu tasked the Commissioner.
Mr Alebiosu, who had earlier congratulated Dr Olatunbosun on his re-appointment, also solicited the assistance of the Commissioner to enable Oyo SWAN successfully organise its annual Week scheduled for December 2021.
Responding, Dr Olatunbosun appreciated the sports writers’ visit to him and promised that his Ministry would continue to support SWAN and the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Oyo State.
The Commissioner then enjoined sports journalists to support Governor Makinde in his pursuits to enhance sports development in the state.
“I can say with certainty that Governor Makinde means well for youths of Oyo State. That’s why he is committed to youth empowerment and the development of sports in the state. He has embarked on mass upgrade of all sports facilities in the state to make it more conducive for our sports men and women to develop their skills. All that is needed now is for you, sports journalists to support the Governor in his efforts at carrying out his good programmes”, the Commissioner said.
The State Commissioner for Information, Cultures and Tourism hosted the Oyo SWAN delegation in presence of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Bunmi Babalola, its Directors including Mr Tunde Ajibike, Alhaja Bukola Bakare and Mr Rotimi Babalola, who is a former Secretary of Oyo NUJ as well as the newly elected Secretary of the NUJ Information chapel Mr Olamide Adeniji.
