The fourth edition of the Surulere Sports Fiesta in commemoration of the 62nd birthday of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, a renowned icon and champion of democracy. It didn’t stop at the novelty match; it also featured various sporting activities, including football, basketball, lawn tennis, table tennis, and indoor games, aimed at showcasing and celebrating the achievements of Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila.

According to Hon. Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, former Special Assistant on Youth Matters to the former Speaker and the convener of the event, revealed that the Surulere Sport Fiesta has been an annual tradition for the past four years, celebrating Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s dedication to the community’s development. Surulere has earned the nickname “Sports City” due to its impressive array of mini stadiums, a testament to the community’s passion for sports and recreation.

The novelty match provided a platform for community leaders, party leaders, CDAs, and representatives from various ethnic groups to come together, showcase their talents, and celebrate the facility’s availability for their use. Hon. Alli-Balogun expressed gratitude to all attendees, emphasizing the significance of the event in recognizing Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s contributions to democracy and the community, as well as celebrating his 62nd birthday.

“As we celebrate Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s 62nd birthday, we also honor his unwavering dedication to the development of Surulere and its people. His legacy continues to inspire us, and we are grateful for his leadership and vision,” said Hon. Alli-Balogun.

According to Hon. Bamidele Sulaiman Yusuf, Executive Chairman Surulere Local Government, this is not the first time such an event has been held, as it has been an annual tradition spearheaded by Hon. Ibrahim Alli-Balogun, former Special Adviser to Mr. Speaker on Youth Matters. The competition features various sporting activities, including football, basketball, lawn tennis, table tennis, and indoor games, aimed at showcasing and celebrating the achievements of Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, who has made significant contributions to the development of Surulere.

Hon. Yusuf expressed his gratitude to the people of Surulere for their support and commend Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila for his tireless efforts in serving the community.

He also acknowledged the challenges facing the country but expressed optimism that things will improve with time. He emphasized the Government’s commitment to empowering the youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow, and announced that several programs and projects tailored towards the youth will be launched in the next few months.

Hon. Barakat Odunnuga-Bakare, Special Adviser on Housing to the Governor of Lagos State, wished a happy 62nd birthday to the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. She applauded his achievements in building a new Surulere and urged the people to maintain the infrastructure he established. Projects like mini stadiums, well-lit street lights, and good roads were highlighted as part of his contributions to Surulere’s development.

Odunnuga-Bakare emphasized the importance of preserving the projects initiated by the Chief of Staff, even though they have been handed over to the State. She encouraged the residents of Surulere to continue benefiting from the infrastructure improvements made during his tenure as Speaker.

The Special Adviser shared her personal experience of playing lawn tennis and Scrabble in the hall, emphasizing the enjoyable atmosphere created by the infrastructure projects in Surulere. She expressed gratitude for the improvements made by the Chief of Staff and urged the community to maintain and appreciate the positive changes in the area.

According to Chief Mrs Bamidele, the sports center is a testament to Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s dedication to the community, and its completion is a cause for celebration. She applauded Hon. Ibrahim Alli-Balogun for organizing the event, which brought together people from all over Surulere to celebrate their leader’s achievements.

Chief Mrs Bamidele highlighted the significance of the sports center, stating that it is a symbol of Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s commitment to the community’s development. She emphasized that Surulere is the best local government in the state, having produced governors and speakers, and expressed confidence that the community will continue to grow and thrive under Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s leadership.