A lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, has engaged 350 youths in Eti-Osa Constituency II area of the state in a football competition as part of his commitment to improving lives of youths in the community.
Yishawu, during the inauguration of an Astro turf Football Pitch on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, for Youths Sport Activities on Monday in Lagos, said that the idea was to bring out talents among youths in the community.
“We are not doing this for selfish reasons, but to engage our youths in sporting activities, and this has also provided jobs for some of them.
“The role of sports in our society is designed to captivate the minds of our youths; develop their minds; take them off the streets; give them hope, and give them extracurricular activities,“ he said.
Also, a former Local Government Chairman, Ikoyi/Obalende, Mr Emmauel Abu, said the competition will give youths a sense of belonging and confidence to pursue their career in football.
“These competitions have paid off so much for the youths because if they are not given the privilege to do what they are doing now, they will not even know they can do it.
“It also gives them the room to prove themselves; so the initiative is encouraging the youth to take sports to another level.
“It is also part of creating job opportunities for them; we have a lot of football clubs in Nigeria, and different people will be at the competition to watch; that is where they get opportunities to further their career,“ Abu said.
Mr Olawale Edun, a member of the campaign council of Tinubu/ Shetimma team commended Yishawu for his efforts to improve the lives of youth, saying the event is yet “another feather in his cap”.
Edun, who is also APC leader in Ikoyi|Obalende described Yishawu as hardworking, a man of the people, having lots of empathy for the common man, and energetic.
He said: “So, whether it is politicking or just doing things for the community, including the elderly, young, women, men, and people generally, that is what people want from their elected representatives.”
“People want contact, communication, to hear, see from them; and that is what Yishawu is doing and has always done.”
In his remarks, one of the footballers, Mr Abdulrahman Haruna, expressed happiness at the opportunity to play the game.
“We did our best in respect of the competition and we appreciate the organizers; the experience is nice and it is what will improve us.
“Yishawu has done a lot and people know him as a nice person. All the teams that participated in the competition appreciate him,” he said.
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