- Military, Para-Military To Vie For Honours
In a bid to appreciate Nigerian security agencies for their gallantry and successful campaign against the ravaging terrorism in the country and to sensitize the general public on why their cooperation is very essential in stemming the menace in the country, the Oyo State Football Association in collaboration with security agencies and other paramilitary formations has perfected plans to stage its maiden Anti-Terrorism Football Championship.
This was disclosed at a meeting held at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan between the Oyo FA, NITO Sports and the representatives of the securities agencies across the state to discuss modalities for the tournament.
The state Football Association Secretary, Kehinde Ojelowo, while explaining the rationale behind the competition stated that the tournament is being put in place in conjunction with NITO Sports to commemorate the celebration of World Peace Day slated for September 21st of every year, which is in line with the United Nation’s declaration.
According to him, “the plan is to organize a commemorative football tournament tagged ‘Anti-Terrorism Football Championship’ otherwise known as ‘Peace Cup 2017’ with the aim to get all military formations to participate in a soccer tourney with the purpose of showing the public the essence of the Day.”
In his address, NITO Sports Chairman, Adebowale Adeoye, who initiated the tournament, noted that the intention is to get Nigerians to applaud their security agencies for their gallantry and successful campaign against terrorism. He added that the tournament will also be an avenue to sensitize Nigerians on security consciousness and enlist the masses to support the efforts of Nigerian military and other security agencies against terrorism.
“At the grand finale, there will be “Peace Award Night”, where the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, commanders of military and paramilitary formations and other notable personalities in the country, who have distinguish themselves in the promotion of peace and national security will be given awards.
There will also be presentation of special documentary on Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Security outfits expected to participate in the tournament include the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Air force, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigeria Custom Service.
Others are the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Prison Service, National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Present at the meeting were Ekundayo Awobusuyi (FRSC), Haruna Musa-Ele (Nigeria Custom), Akande Akintayo (NSCDC), Ogunsola Michael (NSCDC), Solomon Pawa (NDLEA), Alli Khadijat (Nigeria Immigration), Arogundade K. O (Nigeria Immigration), Oyetunji Steven (Nigeria Immigration), and Salahudeen M.O (DSS).
Others include Olanrewaju Agiri (Media), Omotayo Lawal (Nigeria Police), Oladimeji A.O (Nigeria Immigration), Ayagboye Tosin (NITO Sports), Debo Adeoye (NITO Sports), Ogunleye J.K (Oyo FA), Oloyede Idowu (Oyo FA) and Ojelowo K.A (Oyo FA).
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
