Dare promises more facilities as ministry unveils Oba Adeyemi III Mini Stadium

Sports and Youth Development Minister, Sunday Dare, has revealed that the Federal Government will build more sports facilities across the country to aid development of talents at the grassroots level.

Speaking while unveiling a mini stadium sited on a former dump site at Oke Aremo area of Oyo Town, reliving the sporting memory and community development legacies of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Dare, who described himself as a son to the late Alaafin because of his very close affinity with the monarch, noted that the feat was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that youth of the country are encouraged to be useful to their communities, and thereby shun vices.

Named ‘Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III Mini Stadium,’ the project was initiated by one of the children of the late monarch, who is a member of the House of Representatives for Oyo Federal Constituency, Prince Akeem Adeyemi (a.k.a. Skimeh).

It was facilitated by the lawmaker in conjunction with the Metropolitan Development Association, led by Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (rtd) and assisted by the Federal Ministry of Sports.

The inauguration of the football arcade was witnessed by many dignitaries and indigenes of Oyo Town, who watched a novelty match featuring Oyo All Stars and their Ibadan counterparts.

Among the players in the novelty game were ex internationals, Dimeji Lawal, Dele Ajiboye, Muyiwa Lawal, Ademola Ikudaisi. Skimeh captained the Oyo Alaafin Ambassador.

Dare appreciated the late Alaafin and his son, Prince Akeem, for initiating the idea, by turning the dump site to a useful mini stadium, thus, contributing to the environmental sanitation of the community.

The Minister said: “There is a national plan under the Ministry of Youth and Sports to develop grassroots sporting facilities.

“Apart from this mini stadium commissioned today, there are other mini stadia that have been built and commissioned across the country, especially under the seven and a half years of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

“Today is very significant because of the passion and drive behind it; because of the late Alaafin, who wanted this to happen; because of his son, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, who drove that vision and of course by me.”

Glad that the dump site has been turned to a mini stadium, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu reminisced: “Ode Aremo Dump Site was our number one challenge in 2008 when the late Alaafin celebrated his 70th birthday. The stench from the debris and squalor was not only eyesore to the public, but a great nuisance to worshippers at the Oyo Central Mosque, located directly opposite the refuse dump of massive dimension and malodorous spread.”

Prince Akeem noted that the inauguration was part of activities marking the post humus 84th birthday of his father, who joined his ancestors on April 22, 2022 at the Afe Babalola Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, having reigned for 52 years.