Nigeria Women Football League Chairman, Obi Applauds Gov Oyebanji's Vision For Sports , Reels Out NWFL Women Football Development Agenda

The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji wants parents to encourage their girl child to participate in sporting activities through which they could make a living .

The Governor's wife gave the advice in her office in Ado Ekiti while playing host to leadership of the  Nigeria Women Football League(NWFL) and Ekiti Queens Female Football Team who came to intimate her about their agenda 

Dr Oyebanji who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi highlighted the benefits of girl child's involvement in sporting activities which included avoidance of social vices which are  prevalent among the youths.

She expressed hope that the involvement of females in sporting activities could give them global recognition as representatives of the State or country at the national or international levels.

She reiterated the readiness of the  Oyebanji's government to support members of Ekiti female football team in order to get to the pinnacle of their sporting career.

According to her, the Oyebanji Administration places  premium on human capital development noting that the state government was ready to join hands with the NWFL in ensuring that the vision as contained in the Strategy Blueprint is actualized to the benefit of all stakeholders.

The governor 's wife also commended the Ekiti State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill for the establishment of the Ekiti State Sports Commission to ensure that sports gets adequate attention its deserves and also serves as a springboard for empowerment and to be driven as business and not as a leisure only.

She restated her readiness to always give maximum support to Ekiti Queens Football Club and make it a recognized brand in sports and an instrument to empower Ekiti girls economically and socially.

Earlier, the chairperson, Nigeria Women Football League, Ms Nkechi Obi said the NWFL Board was on tour of states across the country to monitor female football teams and encourage more girls to participate in football.

She sought  concerted efforts of all stakeholders to encourage local female football teams  to produce more players that would represent the country at the national level.

Ms. Obi, who doubles as a Board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also used the forum to officially invite the governor's wife to the NWFL Annual General Assembly (AGA) holding on October 5, 2023 as a special guest of honour in recognition of her contributions to female football development in the state.

NWFL Chairman, Ms. Obi said the Board came to Ekiti to share its vision and agenda for development of female football league because of the recognition of the roles of the First Lady and other stakeholders in female football.

She said the visit to Ekiti State was to acquaint the government and people with the steps being taken to broaden the scope of female football league in Nigeria as it concerns players, coaches, referees, administrators and media among others.

Ms. Obi unveiled the initiatives to include capacity development, more media presence for female clubs on digital media, sponsorship packages, mentoring and partnering clubs in Spain, Italy, Germany, among other European countries to discover more talents for national teams.

The NWFL chair disclosed that the league has been redesigned from next season into a 16-team Premier League, 20-team Championship and State Leagues for players between ages 14 and 19 while a coaching development programme is coming up in February.

The Chairman of Ekiti State Football Association, Chief Olu Oloworemo and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths, Barrister Bamidele Arowosola in their speeches appreciated the efforts of the State government at ensuring speedy development of sports in the state.

The event was attended by Hon. Idowu Odebunmi (Chairman Ekiti State House of Assembly on Youth and Sports),  Chairman, Ekiti State Football Association, Chief Olu Oloworemo; former Chairmen, Ekiti State Sports Council, Prince Ademola Adetola and Dr (Mrs) Olusola Osetoba, former General Manager, Ekiti State Sports Council, Chief Deji Samo; serving and retired referees, sports administrators, journalists, players and officials of Ekiti Queens as one of the most supportive personalities, Hon Israel Adesokan Jaru.