Department of Health & Human Kinetics staffers with the NSDFI team
Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, the Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko has praised the vision of the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu for tagging into the National Athletics Development programme and also for making his institution have a role to play in the implementation processes.
Prof Ajibefun made the comments in his office when he received the team of the Nigeria Sports Development fund Inc (NSDFI) led by the Director General, Mr Olajide Fashikun.
According to Prof Ajibefun, “of all the communities in the state and of all the higher institutions, it is sheer providence for ours to have been chosen. Our university will do all within our powers to ensure that we make a massive success out of the opportunity. We thank Mr Governor’s vision in attracting the project to the state.”
“I watched him speak about the project during the launch in Akure on television. I am not surprised. We look forward to making sure our community benefits tremendously from the many developmental windows it will open for our children and youth and for allowing our University to add value to the process.”
Earlier, Prof. Olugbenga E. Ige, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) who doubles as the Chairman of the University’s Sports Council said, “I have watched with the grim passion you have driven this programme. I was particularly thrilled. Finding you in our university with roles for us to play, we are so happy. We thank the state government for nominating us as part of the centres.”
Prof Ige had promised that the University community will key into this future brought to Akungba. I look forward to see an Akungba child donning the nation’s colours at the 2024 Olympics.
Mr Fashikun had informed the Vice Chancellor of the many roles the university has to play to make the nation consolidate on its targets. This include that the university students will be supported to attend African and World University games, pick up roles to support the children and youths coming out of the programme.”
At the Department of Health and Human Kinetics, the team was received by the Acting Head of Department, Dr Dan Momoh, on behalf of the Head of Department, Dr Stephen Aina, who is in Kano for a conference.
Dr Momoh thanked the former Nigerian international athletes behind the project for the initiative and for considering not just the department but the university for the roles assigned to us. You have brought the future to us in Akungba.
In her comments, Prof (Mrs) Olubayo-Fatiregun Abbebi said, “the community content of the entire trips me the most. Added is the fact that you are not depending on government funds but raising the same funds from within the community. You are simply God-sent. You can imagine the quality of children and youths that will be exposed to start at so early an age. I commend you all. You make me so proud to be a Nigerian.”
Other members of the academic staffers that welcomed the team included Dr Benjamin Adedugbe, Dr. A. A. Ahmed, Dr. G. O. Ayenigbara, Mr E. O. Fadero, Mr T. Olaseyo and coach Mary Olalusi.
Fashikun was escorted on the visit by the Executive Director (Technical) Chief Mary Onyali and the Marketing Manager Rowland Abegunde. While the hosts had Mrs Olubunmi Veronica Ologun the Bursar, the Librarian.(gongnews)
