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AIYEDATIWA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
…As Governor Declares Open Finals Of Basic Education School Sports Competition
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the education sector through sustained investment in sports development across primary and secondary schools in the State.
He described sports as an integral component of holistic education that promotes discipline, teamwork, leadership, healthy living, and academic excellence among learners.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made this known while declaring open the State Finals of the Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition, held at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Akure.
He stated that his administration remains committed to identifying and nurturing young sporting talents from an early age by providing the necessary facilities, equipment, and an enabling environment for pupils and students to thrive.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, explained that catching children young through well-structured school sports programmes will not only help them discover and develop their talents but also prepare them to represent Ondo State and Nigeria with distinction at national and international sporting competitions.
He further noted that regular school sports competitions would strengthen friendship, foster unity among schools across the State, and promote healthy rivalry, mutual respect, and cooperation among pupils and students from different communities.
Dr. Aiyedatiwa commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its sustained commitment to the development of basic education in Nigeria.
He praised the Commission for its numerous interventions and impactful programmes, particularly in the areas of sports development, infrastructure, teacher capacity building, and other initiatives that have continued to improve the quality of basic education across the country.
The Governor assured stakeholders in the education sector that his administration would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting grassroots sports development as part of its broader agenda of building a vibrant, productive, and globally competitive generation of young people.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB), Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, PhD, described the competition as a significant milestone in the Board’s continuous efforts to promote holistic education through sports.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole noted that, beyond identifying talented athletes, the championship serves as a platform for nurturing responsible, healthy, and productive citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
She explained that the State Finals represent the final selection stage for athletes who will proudly represent Ondo State at the forthcoming National Basic Education School Sports Competition.
She encouraged all participants to demonstrate resilience, determination, discipline, and good sportsmanship throughout the competition while respecting the rules of the games and showing respect for fellow competitors.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole also commended the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his unwavering commitment to educational advancement and youth development through the prompt payment of counterpart funds and continuous investment in the education sector.
Highlighting the Board’s recent interventions, the Permanent Secretary disclosed that ODSUBEB had distributed standard sports equipment to beneficiary public basic schools across the State to improve sporting activities and provide pupils with access to quality facilities for training and competition.
She noted that the intervention has significantly enhanced the preparedness of athletes and increased participation in school sports across the State.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba, noted that the Basic Education School Sports Competition provides a unique platform for discovering, nurturing, and developing young sporting talents who have the potential to represent Ondo State and Nigeria in national and international competitions.
Represented at the event by the UBEC State Coordinator, Mrs. Olanike Adams, Dr. Garba noted that every investment in school sports is an investment in the future of the nation, as it promotes discipline, teamwork, healthy living, and excellence among pupils.
Dr. Garba commended the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board for the effective utilisation of the 2025 Sports Development Fund in organising the competition and reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Board in advancing quality, inclusive, and learner-centred basic education.
She expressed confidence that through continued collaboration, both institutions would create an enabling environment that supports the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of every Nigerian child.
Some of the events featured during the competition included the 100-metre races for boys and girls, the 200-metre races for boys and girls, the 4×100-metre relay races for boys and girls, and the football finals.
At the end of the competition, the Irele/Ese-Odo Zone emerged overall champions, winning 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals. The Idanre/Ifedore Zone finished second with 4 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals, while the Akoko South Zone secured third place with 3 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
The event was attended by school administrators, education stakeholders, sports administrators, teachers, coaches, pupils, parents, and other invited guests.
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