… Endorses Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju for second term, as Chairman Ikorodu West LCDA

8th Edition of Ipakodo All Stars, provide a platform for local talents to shine and come together as a community. With each passing year, the Ipakodo All Stars has become a symbol of unity, showcasing the diverse skills and passion of the participants.

In a show of support and admiration, the Ipakodo All Stars officially endorsed Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju for a second term as Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA. The endorsement comes as a result of his fearless leadership and outstanding work within the community.

As part of support, Pepc Foundation generously gave out food packs to both the participants and residents within the community.

Outstanding players were given award, likewise award was given to supporters of the competition, and outstanding personalities in Ipakodo Kingdom.

Outstanding players of the football competition were honored with well-deserved awards. Likewise the supporters of the competition and exceptional personalities in Ipakodo Kingdom were also acknowledged for their invaluable contributions.

Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, the esteemed Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, recently expressed his heartfelt joy at witnessing young people passionately playing football. He shared his hopes for a thriving football future in Nigeria, much like the adoration football receives overseas. Hon. Olanrewaju urged the young footballers to continue their efforts and bring pride to Ikorodu West LCDA.

Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, the Chairman of Ipakodo All Stars, shared the inspiring vision behind the organization. He emphasized that Ipakodo All Stars is not just a football team, but a gathering of past football stars and youth in the community, aimed at fostering positivity and deterring negative activities.

Dr. Abatan highlighted the importance of providing a platform for younger individuals and former footballers to channel their energy into productive engagement, rather than turning to crime or other negative behaviors.

The football competition, which Dr. Abatan referred to as their “end of the year football fiesta,” is a culmination of a year-long series of activities. These include leadership training, mentorship talks, addressing drug-related issues, and conducting health check-ups. They pools resources from within and receives support from sponsors, for this year Hon. SKO Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Pep C Foundation, and Hon. Babawale Alogba and other Great people in the community supported the competition.

Dr. Abatan emphasized the significance of celebrating their achievements at the end of the year and this is the 8th edition. The competition serves as an inclusive platform for everyone involved, allowing them to compete with each other while recognizing and rewarding the contributions of younger individuals and those who have made a meaningful impact on the community.

Lastly, Dr. Abatan shared that from the Ipakodo All Stars community, approximately 5 talented individuals are doing well in the world of football 3 ventured overseas, and 2 are doing well in Nigeria football clubs and are showcasing their skills to the world.

Barrister Lukman Akinsanya, the founder of the Pepc Foundation, expressed his delight at witnessing the spirit of sportsmanship, exceptional football skills, and the identification of talented individuals during the recent event. He even mentioned that if he were a scout, he would have selected two or three players from the gathering. This encouraging discovery highlights the immense potential present within the community.

However, Barrister Akinsanya emphasized that such events should not be limited to end-of-year celebrations. To nurture and showcase these talents effectively, there is a need for consistency, increased awareness, and more opportunities throughout the year. He suggested organizing regular competitions and events, not necessarily labeled as “All-Stars,” to ensure continuous visibility of these talented individuals. By doing so, the aim is to reduce social vices in Ipakodo and Ikorodu as a whole.

Barrister Akinsanya extended an invitation to collaborate and communicate with him and other individuals in the Ikorodu division. By joining forces, they can work towards organizing quarterly or thrice-yearly events to sustain the momentum of talent development. He also acknowledged the importance of including other sports in these initiatives and expressed his intention to discuss this matter with the honorable individuals involved.

Mr. Adekola Tijani, fondly known as Kamilu in the Nollywood industry, expressed his immense joy at being part of a competition like the one he witnessed. Coming from Oyo, he mentioned that such competitions were not prevalent there, with only school-to-school and house-to-house competitions taking place. However, with the competition by the organizers, he now has something exciting to take home.

Hon. Babawale Alogba talked about the importance of reaching out to every corner of the division to engage young players and panels in sports activities. He fondly recalled his past experiences playing with individuals like Chukwudi and Anu, who were just toddlers a few years ago but have continued to exhibit their skills on the field.

Hon. Alogba stressed the need to extend opportunities to individuals who may not have the means to travel to the event venue. He proposed the idea of giving the task to supervisor for the youth and suggested organizing transportation arrangements to ensure that talented young individuals from all backgrounds can participate and showcase their abilities.

Furthermore, Hon. Alogba suggested introduction of table tennis on Sundays, believing that it would attract a wider pool of young players compared to snooker.

Mr. Bashiru Hassan Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly, expressed his appreciation for initiating such an important conversation. He emphasized the significance of discussions like these, stating that they are prevalent everywhere, especially when individuals with diverse talents and perspectives come together.

Furthermore, Mr. Hassan proposed the idea of organizing gatherings to address crucial issues. These gatherings would provide a platform for open dialogue and enable individuals to share their thoughts on matters of importance.