As part of effort to promote sport development in the state, the Lagos State House of Assembly is taking a step further to amend the Lagos State Sports Commission Law, 2017.
The Speaker, Rt.(Dr.) Hon. Mudashiru Obasa who presided over the plenary in his words stated that “The bill will give an opportunity to engage our youths and take them away from the street. A lot of sporting activities can be utilized to engage the youths particularly by opening up sporting activity without limiting it to football , boxing and others. Everything must be taken up, even our local games . It is an opportunity to start and change the narrative for the youth. By so doing you have distracted them from crime”.
He added “we have to call on the Executive, particularly Mr. Governor to do everything possible to make sure this Bill is well implemented when it becomes Law and each one of us has a duty to perform . I am passionate about the Bill and I urge us all to support e it.
The Acting Chairman of Committee on Youths and Sports, Hon. Owolabi Ajani while giving an overview on the Bill stated that “ the development of sport related businesses is very apt; if you look at it, around the world, different countries deal in the business of sports, in the premier league alone, it is roughly 14 millon pounds even the one we have in Africa here and South Africa is worth 300 million dollars , I believe with the population in Lagos State we will be able to achieve something close to that mark in a very short time” . He added that if we look at the combine network of our football players now, we are going upward of almost 200 million , these are the people who are Nigerians and who are active in sports all around the world . It is a very viable game” .
Lawmakers took turn to give their support to the amended Bill and the benefits to derive when it is eventually passed into law.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo while expressing his support stated that the Bill is timely adding that the it will promote Public and Private Partnership benefit while it will also promote sporting activity among the youths.
In his contributions Hon Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-osa 2 said the Bill when passed into law will help the youths in both physical and mental development, by putting price on our sports and games. Iit will open doors for investors while the young participants enjoy life changing opportunities. This will result in a boom of our economy as well.
Hon. Sanni Okanlawon representing Kosofe1 stated that the Bill will give a lifeline to our youths who are talented in different sports “it is very apt and it is something that we all must support”.
The Bill has been committed to the House Committee on Sports and Youth Development to report back next Monday.
In another development, the members screened Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos State Procurement Agency Governing Board, Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation Governing Board and Lagos State Judiciary Service Commission.
The screened nominees for the State’s Health Service Commission are Dr. Mrs. Onayiga Atinuke as Chairman , members include Mrs. Adekemi Ogunyemi, Dr. Mobolaji Olukoya, Dr. Olumuyiwa Solanke and Mrs. Adepeju Muyibat Adeleye.
Nominees screened for the Lagos State Procurement Governing Board are Ms. Folusho Olayinka Omobowale, Mr. Folusho Hakeem Mustapha and Mr. Olusola Lanre.
Members of Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation Governing Board screened are Mr. Goke Adeniyi and Ms. Omolara Abike Cudjoe Alakija.
Screened for the State Judiciary Service Commission are Mr. Supo Ati-John, Mrs. Bamidele Akinyemi and Mr. Seinde Kareem all await the House confirmation .
