The Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu on Wednesday hosted in Lagos by the Consul General of France and his team at the Consulate in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Discussions held centred around strengthening the existing ties between Lagos State and France, with a particular focus on Sports.

Avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration that would not only deepen the cultural exchange between the two nations but also accelerate the development of sports in Lagos State from capacity building for sports administration and coaching to facilitate sports business opportunities, as well as organising joint sporting events were explored.

The Consular General, the French Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Laurent Favier assured Lagos State Sports Commission of support on sports development particularly in technical aspects of sports aimed at enhancing talent growth.

The Director General appreciated Favier and his team, stating that the kind expression of support by the French Embassy will be a remarkable pivot in the extraordinary investment and assistance Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is providing towards sporting excellence

“France has a rich sporting heritage, and their expertise in various disciplines can undoubtedly elevate the standards of sports in our state. Likewise, the vibrant and passionate sporting culture and ecosystem in Lagos holds immense potential for fruitful partnerships”, Fatodu stated

He expressed his gratitude to Mr Favier and the entire team at the French Consulate for their warm hospitality and their commitment to furthering closer ties between the two nations and looked forward to the countless opportunities that lie ahead for the development of sports in Lagos State and the enrichment of cultural ties with France.

Ogun State based Nigeria National League side Ijebu United have raised the alarm over the ownership of youngster AbdulGaniyu Damilare Ibrahim, who is currently playing for the Golden Eaglets in the ongoing WAFU B championship in Ghana.

In a letter of concern and protest signed by its General Manager, Fatai Olayinka, which was sent to the Nigerian football authorities and also made available to the media, it categorically stated that the said player is a legally acquired player of Ijebu United.The letter reads, “Attention of Ijebu United Football Club has been drawn to the final list of players of the Nigeria National U-17 squad presently in Ghana for the WAFU tournament and particularly, in reference to the above player – ABDUL GANIYU DAMILARE IBRAHIM, purported to belong to Hero Power Academy. We hereby wish to state as follows:

1.That ABDUL GANIYU DAMILARE IBRAHIM is a bonafide player of Ijebu United Football Club.

2. That Ijebu United FC discovered and declared interest on the said player after a scouting tournament held at Ilorin, kwara State, in Year 2021.

3. That Ijebu United FC, immediately relocated the said player to Ijebu Ode, enrolled him in school and took complete charge of his welfare on a daily basis since same year 2021. (documents of the player in school uniform and photos besides official vehicle of Ijebu United FC herewith attached).

4. That in view of the fact that the said player, was a minor and in order to register him for the league, Ijebu United FC requested and got the parental consent from the biological parents of the said player and properly documented same at the High Court of Justice in kwara State precisely, on January 16th, 2023. (copy of the parental consent referred to is herewith attached).

5. That the player has since been enjoying remuneration from Ijebu United FC and was actually registered and participated during the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League football season and equally registered duly for the current 2024 edition of the Federation Cup Competition for Ijebu United FC (player’s licences herewith attached).

6. That Ijebu United FC was aware all along in respect to the involvement of the said player during activities and programmes of the Nigeria National Team and with our full blessings.

7. That it therefore, comes to us as a shock and disbelief that the said player is being credited to another football outfit and not Ijebu United FC. (copy of publication herewith attached).

8. That we are categorical in our claims that ABDUL GANIYU DAMILARE IBRAHIM, is a player belonging to Ijebu United FC, and plead with the authority concerned to use appropriate offices to reflect accordingly in the spirit of justice, fair play and protections of our investment on the said player over the years.”

Chairperson, House Committee on Sports in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Rukayat Shittu, has pledged support towards robust media coverage of sports activities in the state.

Speaking to executive members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), Kwara State chapter, in Ilorin on Tuesday, the lawmaker said that with the massive investments by Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq at the Kwara State Stadium, it is imperative that media support must be enhanced.

“With the renovation of sports facilities in the stadium, more sports activities will definitely come to Kwara. The media and press are the complementary arm of sports.

“These are media and brand related events that our state will benefit from immensely. Tinkering with our media sports oversight function to support sports reporting in the state,” Hon Shittu.

She also hailed the present administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the total overhauling of sports facilities since inception.

The lawmaker explained that the state legislative arm will continue to initiate policies through effective legislation to all year round development.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing alot in sports since his assumption of office, the reactivation of state sports festival, state’s participation in the National and International l championship and prompt release of funds for Kwara United were some of his milestones in the last five years in office” she said.

Shittu is one the youngest lawmakers to win an election in Africa and was once a journalist herself.

While speaking to the representatives of the guild of sports journalists in the state, Hon Shittu pledged to partner SWAN ahead of the 2024 Kwara SWAN Media Games.

Expressing thanks, Chairman of Kwara SWAN, Ayodeji Ismail hailed Hon Shittu for her vibrancy and versatility as the youngest lawmaker whose positive impact and contributions at the floor of the house has become a reference point.

Ayodeji, who asked for the assistance of Hon Shittu in the appropriation of media budget for sports writers for coverage of championship, noted SWAN will continue to objectively report the activities of the government tailored to the growth of sports.