NOC Women’s Seminar: Administrators Applaud Ekiti’s Sports Investment; Osetoba Says Women Can Surpass Men
Administrators and sports stakeholders have applauded the Ekiti State Government’s investment in sports facilities during the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) Women’s Commission Seminar in Ado-Ekiti, where Dr. Olusola Osetoba declared that women can surpass men in sporting performance.
Osetoba, Technical Advisor on Sport Development to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, said women athletes, when adequately supported, can not only match but outperform their male counterparts. She commended the governor for raising Ekiti’s profile in Nigeria’s sporting community.
The seminar, held in partnership with the state government, brought facilitators from across the country to discuss women’s capacity development in sports. Attendees included Prof. Florence Adeyanju, President of the NOC Women’s Commission; Mrs. Obidahunsi, Secretary of the Commission; Perpetua Clement, Chairperson of the Nigeria Basketball Women’s Premier League; Prof. Joseph Awoyinfa of the University of Lagos; Prof. Gunnel (connected virtually); Chief Mrs. Olaoye Abimbola; Alh. Deji Ogunsakin, SWAN Southwest Vice President; Alhaji Qozeem Oladapo, SWAN Ekiti Chairman; Tega Onojaifa; Tayo Popoola; Ogundele Mayowa; and other stakeholders.
The program also featured a facility tour of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium and the Multipurpose Sport Hall under construction. Participants expressed satisfaction with the projects. Prof. Awoyinfa remarked, “We’ve been seeing it on television, but today we can confirm it is not a fluke. The governor’s intentionality is visible.”
Clement, representing the Women’s Basketball League, noted that with the level of investment, she would be glad to see Ekiti host the league next season.
Mrs. Obidahunsi, speaking on behalf of the NOC Women’s Commission, praised the government’s commitment, urging Oyebanji not to relent and encouraging other states to emulate Ekiti. She also lauded Osetoba’s “uncommon passion” in representing women in sports.
Mrs. Ekundayomi Bukola, Director of Sports at Ekiti State Polytechnic, said the seminar enriched administrators with global best practices and promised to cascade the knowledge to colleagues to ensure its impact is sustained.
With new facilities underway and women’s capacity development at the forefront, stakeholders said Ekiti is positioning itself as a model for advancing women’s sports in Nigeria.
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