The Olofa of Offaland, Oba Mufutau Muhammad Gbadamosi Okikiola, Esuwoye II, Ajagungbade I, spearheaded the Ground-breaking Ceremony of the ONEIH-Offa Sports Academy. The event, attended by key members of the Olofa-in-Council, highlighted the significant role of sports development in the region.
The revered monarch was flanked by members of the Olofa-in-Council, including High Chief Balogun of Offaland, Alhaji Moruf Olaniyi Balogun; High Chief Ojomu of Offa, Joseph Bayo Akinola; High Chief Eesa of Offa, Dr. Yunus Oyewale Bukoye; High Chief Asalofa of Offa, Isiaka Adebayo Shittu, and others.
Dr. Akeem Oyewale, the Chairman of Offa Volleyball Club and Director of ONEIH-Offa Sports Academy, spoke about the project’s vision during the ceremony. He outlined the Academy’s goal to establish a world-class indoor sports hall, aiming to become one of the best in West Africa.
“It is going to be one of the best in West Africa. We will be hosting local and international Championship games. By 2026, we hope to host African championship games here. We will subsequently be holding world championship games,” stated Dr. Oyewale.
Expressing the need for widespread support, especially from the community represented by Oba Mufutau, who conducted the foundation laying ceremony, Dr. Oyewale urged youths to rally behind sports activities.
The announcement of the ceremony was jointly disclosed earlier by Aare (Dr) Waheed Olagunju, Chairman of One Innovation Hub Offa (ONEIH), Alhaji Bola Oyebode, Chairman of Offa Sports Academy, and Dr. Akeem Oyewale, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind this significant initiative.
Dr. Akeem Oyewale’s multifaceted role as the Chairman of Offa Volleyball Club and Director of ONEIH-Offa Sports Academy underscores his commitment to promoting sports excellence in the region. The Offa Volleyball Club stands as the driving force behind the establishment of ONEIH-Offa Sports Academy, signaling a promising future for sports development in Offaland.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Kwara State House of Assembly member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Honourable Seun Ogunniyi Adato; CEO ONEIH, Engr Taofeeq Olatinwo; ONEIH Board Chairman, Dr. Waheed Olagunju; Engr. Abdulfatai Kolawole Yusuf, the president of Offa Engineers; Comrade Afolabi Lukman, the Chairman of Kwara State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR); Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, Vice-Chancellor of Summit University Offa; and others too numerous to mention.