Governor Oyebanji grants pardon to suspended Ekiti sports officials
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has granted clemency to four officials of the State Sports Council who were suspended due to the inadequate kitting of state athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta, in September 2023.
Dr. Olusola Osetoba, Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, made this announcement while addressing members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ekiti chapter, in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
She disclosed that the four officials, including the General Manager Mr. Adekunle Adeyemi, Mr. Isaac Elegbeleye, Mr. Isiaka Oluyemi, and Mr. Olusola Ibitoye, have been reassigned to positions within the ministry.
Osetoba further stated that new officials would soon be appointed to fill the vacant positions within the sports council.
In addition, she mentioned that the government has imposed a ban on training and other unauthorized activities on the pitch of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, emphasizing that plans for the stadium’s refurbishment are underway.
The advisor also revealed that arrangements have been finalized for the construction of a sports hall at the Ekiti Kete Pavilion, which will host various sporting events.
Furthermore, Osetoba announced the government’s intentions to carry out a comprehensive restructuring of the two state-owned football clubs, Ekiti United and Ekiti Queens, citing administrative deficiencies as the reason. She assured that a new board would be constituted to rejuvenate the clubs’ performance.
Expressing gratitude to SWAN members for their past support during her tenure as Chairman of the Sports Council, she appealed for continued support in her new role.
Lastly, she urged sports writers to fully endorse Governor Oyebanji’s efforts to elevate sports to greater heights in the state.
It’s worth noting that the officials were suspended for alleged mismanagement of funds and inadequate kitting of Ekiti athletes at the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba in 2023.
