Kanu, Adepoju, Others, Mentor Students at Gbajabiamila U-16 Sport Symposium

Sunday Ehigiator

Over 2,500 students from 58 secondary schools in Surulere, Lagos, recently gathered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium for a sports symposium focused on tackling societal issues. The event featured legendary Nigerian footballers Kanu Nwankwo and Mutiu Adepoju, who shared their expertise and inspired the young participants alongside other mentors.

The event, held as part of the Femi Gbajabiamila U-16 Football Competition, sought to inspire discipline and resilience in young people while combating issues such as drug abuse, cybercrime, and cultism.

The symposium, a key feature of the month-long tournament, brought together notable figures, including Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Lagos lawmaker representing Surulere constituency 1, Desmond Elliot; former football stars Nwankwo Kanu and Mutiu Adepoju; and other stakeholders.

According to the host of the event, Hon. Elliot, the symposium is part of the one-month-long programme targeted at fostering conversations between government and the governed, encouraging youth participation in governance through ideas sharing, driving positive career coaching and mentorship and shining the light against the ills of vices in society.

Elliot explained that by encouraging such dialogues, young people can find closure with government officials, gain confidence to follow profitable career paths and lead impactful lives within their societies.

“This symposium is part of the month-long event organized so that students can realize that youngsters like themselves can achieve something out of life and it comes with being focused, dedicated and taking things seriously.

“So it is not just about the Femi Gbajabiamila Football competition but about how we can relate with young people, touch their lives and hear from them. So, we have people from the parliament representing the constituency where these kids live so that we can document and relate feedback to the floor of the House.”

Also speaking, Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Khadijat Kareem-Omotayo, urged students to steer clear of harmful behaviours.

She applauded Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and lawmaker Desmond Elliot for organising the event, describing it as a significant step towards securing a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth.

“Our wish is to see these children succeed in their endeavours and contribute to making Nigeria a great nation. Stay focused, stay away from drugs, cybercrime, and bullying,” Kareem-Omotayo advised.

She called on parents, teachers, and guardians to maintain vigilance in guiding the children’s development.

Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu, speaking via video, encouraged students to remain disciplined and focused.

“Hard work and dedication helped me achieve greatness in football,” he said.

Mutiu Adepoju, who addressed the students in person, echoed similar sentiments: “Without discipline and avoiding vices, I wouldn’t have been able to play in three World Cups and Nations Cups.”

Mobolaji Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, commended the initiative for targeting youths at a critical age when peer pressure is most influential.

He praised the alignment of the program with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda and called on all stakeholders to join hands in curbing vices.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mustafa, Chief Imam of Surulere, and Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Health, also underscored the damaging effects of social vices on youths’ mental, physical, and social well-being.

They urged parents, teachers, and leaders to intensify awareness campaigns.