Osun Deputy Gov. hosts SWAN excos, says easiest tool to integrate Nigeria is sports

The Deputy Governor of Osun state, Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori has described sports as easiest tool to integrate the nation adding that the language of sports is powerful.

Mrs. Tomori made this known on Thursday while hosting members of the executive committee and other members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun state chapter in her office in Osogbo.

According to her, sporting activities have great impacts on the lives of Nigerians and across the world saying that Osun people are enthusiastic to sport especially foreign football clubs.

While appreciating the advocacy visit by SWAN members in Osun, the deputy governor charged sports writers not to be political while writing sports adding that they should be objective in their reports.

She said, “State of Osun can boast of best calisthenics performance in Nigeria and Osun is sports enthusiastic. Sports has powerful language and language of love, unity; sports break all barriers. There is a need to promote sports across Nigeria.

“Sports is the easiest tool to integrate this country. It is so powerful and a unifying factor. We should sell this across the country. I am particularly happy about the positive impacts sports has on Nigerians.

“I want to urge sports writers to be objective and apolitical. We have 251 days more in office and I pray that God Almighty will choose a good successor. Osun is an anointed state and I want everyone to be prayerful for our next governor. Let’s pray that someone anointed by God should be the next governor of Osun,” she added.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of SWAN in Osun, Adeyemi Aboderin who led other executives comprising the secretary of SWAN, Mr. Timothy Agbor, the vice chairman, Mr. Tope Alabi and other members explained that tr advocacy visit was to discuss how the association can synergise with the state government for the growth and development of sports in the state.

He said sports has the power to change the world adding that since the inception of the present state executive committee of SWAN, “we have left no one in doubt of our desire to bequeath a solid foundation on which sports development can be built on.”

Aboderin sought the support and cooperation of the deputy governor and the state government at large to carry the association along in the scheme of things relating to sports promotion and development.