Press Releases

Fashola Hands Over Recreation Centre Built By COWLSO
…Charges all LGs in Lagos to adopt it as a model

Oct 14, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday handed over a sports recreation centre constructed by the Council of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at Oworonshoki with a plea to all the 57 Local Governments in the State to adopt it as a model.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the handing over ceremony which took place at Oworonshoki beside the mini water works, added that each of the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas should provide two of such sports centre in their domain.

Governor Fashola explained that just as the 57 Local Councils and Development areas have recently provided 2 patrol vans each to the Police, adopting same strategy with the sports facilities would ensure a commitment to a new beginning in sports development and provide Lagos with 114 sports centres.

“This park symbolizes for me a new beginning being championed by COWLSO. We must follow that new beginning. As a Government, we will not only follow, but will sometimes lead because we have more resources. We will build more across Lagos”, he added.

Governor Fashola also said all Local Government Areas, States and the Federal Government must commit to investing in public sports centres not only to give the poor and underprivileged a chance to excel in sports but because they are also theatres of rehearsals.

The Governor emphasized that sports is a major tool to expand the economy, create jobs and fight unemployment, adding however that excellence in sports can only come from thousands of hours of practice and preparations.

He added that the exploits of Brazil in Sports especially football is not an accident, but due to the prevalence of small sports parks all over the country which affords everyone the opportunity to train and practice.

Governor Fashola reminded the residents of the area that the facility is a sports facility meant for the usage of the children and which must not be put to other uses, charging the residents to always forward complaints about improper usage of the facility to his office if they occur.

He said not only the COWLSO must be involved in the management of the sports centre, but the royal fathers, landlords, CDAs and other members of the landlords association must have representatives that would ensure that it is put to proper use.

Governor Fashola reminded many of the youth who were at the event that even if they decide to embrace sports, it must be solidified by sound education, advising that sole reliance on sports is not the best because sporting prowess is determined by age.

He added that after sports, it is whatever education or trade which a sportsman has proficiency in that he will fall back on, adding: “We must ensure that this facility is used by only children of school age or those learning a trade in developing their sporting prowess”.

Said he: “Only a few parents can send their children or wards to private sports institute facilities in private sports club in Lagos, but the poor cannot. It is only sports facilities like this one built by COWLSO that provides the opportunity for the poor and for equal development”.

Governor Fashola applauded the initiative of COWLSO on the public sports facility project especially against the background of the heightened awareness of the people that there is a profession in sports with the exploits of people like Nwakwo Kanu, Austin Okocha and Yobo Joseph.

The Governor also personally donated one generator each to the two new recreation centres as his contribution to the forthcoming National Women Conference.

Speaking earlier, wife of the Governor and Chairman of COWLSO, Mrs Abimbola Fashola said the Oworonshoki playing ground is one of the dividends of the 2007 and 2008 National Women conference.

She revealed that the new centre is equipped with a football field, a grandstand, a basketball court, a gym, a children’s playing arena, a sitting area for the elderly and a hall.

Mrs Fashola informed that the facility has also been secured with a perimeter fence , a gate and a gate house for the security personnel.

In his goodwill message, the Oba of Oworo, Oba Bashir Saliu commended the initiative of COWLSO on the project and described the ceremony as one marking a very important day in the life of the town of Oworo.

He described Governor Fashola (SAN) as a very passionate leader in terms of infrastructural development and job creation efforts which is unparallel anywhere in the country.

He advised the government at the centre that if the rebranding project is going to have any headway, the promoters should come to Lagos and see how good governance can be used for rebranding, as rebranding is happening in only Lagos.

He added that the new sports centre would not only curb the activities of miscreants in the area but would also assist in discovering new talents that abound in the area.

He pleaded with Governor Fashola to consider giving the people of Oworo a second link that would connect the community with outside world.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru who stood in for the Commissioner, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele said the sports centre is one of the several being provided across the state to get the youth engaged.

He said the Governor Fashola has approved the composition of the team to ensure an upkeep of the facility to include representatives of the Community Development Associations (CDAs), Residents Association, Youth Associations, the Local Government, COWLSO and a resident youth development officer.

In his address of welcome, the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Prince Ademuyiwa Adedeji promised that the Local Government would continue to do all it can within the limited available resources to better the lot of the people.

The Governor later cut the tape to declare open the new recreation and sports centre.

Among those who attended the ceremony were wife of the first Military Governor of Lagos, Mrs Obafunmilayo Johnson, wife of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Jakande, a representative of Chief Mrs Oluremi Tinubu as well as several members of the council.