President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has said the Governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, is all-round performer with respect to sports development in Nigeria.
Pinnick made this remarks at the unveiling of the Ondo state Football Academy held at the new Ondo State International Events and Cultural Centre (The Dome) Akure on Monday, March 7, 2016.
The Football Academy which is the first of its kind in Nigeria is aimed at discovering and developing budding soccer talents in all parts of the state and to promote football as a veritable instrument of poverty alleviation and youth development.
The NFF boss who was a special guest at the event said Governor Mimiko has demonstrated an uncommon commitment not only in football but sports in general.
“Coming in to Ondo state I felt I was going to run into pot holes but they are all beautiful roads with no potholes and I decided we need to be coming here more often. We have decided to hold our 2016 AGM at the new Dome.
“Gov. Mimiko has done very well and I must congratulate him, I don’t have any regret coming here. I’m so excited. What I have witnessed here today is not only redefining sports but also giving football a new breath of life.
“Nothing can be more exciting when you see Governors doing wonderful things at a time when states are going through a plethora of challenges but Governor Mimiko decided to target the youth which is our future. I don’t patronize people but I will say Mimiko has done very well even if it means being jailed.
In his reaction, Governor Mimiko said his investment in sports is to deliberately create a new path for the talented youths in Ondo state. He said he will continue to fund sports at all levels.
Other guests at the event also lauded Ondo state achievements in sports particularly Sunshine Queens for winning the 2015 Confederations Cup.
