We’ll upgrade Ikola football field, create economic opportunities – Ejigbadero assures
The Chairman of Agbado-Oke Odo Local Council Development Area (AOLCDA) in Lagos State, Jimoh Ejigbadero, has said his administration is not seeking to deprive youths of sporting opportunities but to properly organise available open spaces to combine sports with other developments that will benefit the community.
Ejigbadero made this known through his Vice Chairman, Kehinde Shobayo, during a stakeholders’ engagement with youths of Ikola Community on Wednesday.
The council chairman said two portions of land in the community were currently being used as football fields, adding that the plan under consideration was to upgrade one into a better sporting facility, possibly with modern turf, while maximising the remaining space for other productive and permissible uses capable of creating economic opportunities.
He disclosed that the council had engaged Baales, religious leaders, Community Development Committee (CDC) members, youth groups and other stakeholders as part of efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue.
Ejigbadero urged the youths to avoid accusations or actions based on misinformation, stressing that his administration remained committed to protecting and properly utilising public assets.
“Our administration has demonstrated its commitment to protecting and properly utilising public assets, including the return of Alade Stadium to council ownership and the transformation of previously disorganised corridors into structured commercial areas that now provide opportunities for our people,” he said.
He added that the council’s vision went beyond temporary football competitions, saying it was working towards developing a standard sports complex where footballers, boxers, athletes and other talents could train, develop their skills and pursue their dreams.
Ejigbadero appealed to the Ikola youths to embrace peace, dialogue and development rather than division and accusations.
