Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Top educational functionaries, administrators, others graced ocassion
It was excitement and fun moment as Egbin Kingdom Nursery and Primary Schools, Egbin Kingdom in Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, held its inaugural Inter – House Sports Competition in grandstyle.
The students of the school established by the Obateru of Egbin, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Dr AbdulHakeem Oriyomi Oyebo, in 2021, expressed their happiness and joy in witnessing the events and shown promising performances in the events they participated in.
Some of the events at the games which held at the Powerfields Elementary School’s Football Field, Egbin, were March Past, 50meters (Girls and Boys), 75meters (Girls and Boys), 100 meters (Junior Girls and Boys), 100 meters (Senior Boys and Girls), 200 meters (Senior Boys and Girls), Fill in the Basket (Girls), Busting the Balloons (Boys), Egg and Spoon (Girls), Sack Race (Boys), Mummy Slipper (Girls) and Back to School (Boys).
At the end of the games, Green House (NGC) emerged overall best with 13 golds, 9 silvers and 11 bronzes; Purple House, also known as the Obateru’s House, came second with 12 golds, 9 silvers and 13 bronzes while Red House (Egbin Power PLC) and Yellow House (Atunluse of Egbin) emerged joint third with 11golds, 12silvers and 10bronzes each.
Blue House (TCN) claimed the fourth position with 3 golds, 17 silvers and bronzes.
The event also witnessed cultural displays in Yoruba and Egun, Parents’ race and invited schools’ race.
Meanwhile, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba Oyebo, speaking with THE IMPACT, expressed his delight at the turnout and performances of the students.
The royal father said that he is more encouraged to do more for education.
“I feel delighted and grateful to the Almighty God for making today a reality. It is a dream that has come through. I thank God for today”, a thankful Alaiyeluwa said.
“In all honesty, I didn’t expect this from them (students). What we have seen today would make me contribute more to the educational development of our children in this community. I want to do more because of the performance of today”, Obateru assured.
Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Chairman, Ijede LCDA, also speaking at the event, expressed her joy at witnessing the maiden inter – house sports and commended the monarch for another landmark achievement in the history of Egbin and the entire Ijede LCDA.
“It’s a great joy for me to be part of this Egbin Kingdom School’s lnter – house sports today, because when we laid the foundation of the school, I was part of the project. In fact, it was the first project I laid my hands on when I assumed my administration”, she recalled
“The first lnter – house sport happening now is a great joy to me and kudos to Kabiyesi. This is a big one for Kabiyesi, because this is his dream and goal. The Inter – house sports happening now is a thing of joy to everyone in Ijede LCDA and not just Egbin, and I am happy to be part of it”.
She advised parents to allow their children to study and also encouraged them to engage in sporting activities.
“My advice to the parents is to, please, let their kids come to school on time so that they will have enough time to learn. They should also encourage their kids to study when they get back home so that they will assimilate very well. The kids need to focus while they are going to school and make their minds not to be shifted. They also need to encourage them to take to sporting activities because it also helps the brain too”, Hon. Alogba said.
Chairman, Nigeria Association of Physical Health Education Recreation, Dance & Sport (NAPHER-SD), Lagos State, Prince Hakeem Olukunga, commended the monarch for the initiative which he said will go a long way in developing the students mentally and physically.
The former Member, Governing Board, Lagos State Sports Commission and a Prince of Egbin, also lauded the performances of the students and the officiating.
He pledged support of NAPHER –SD towards the next edition of the school’s lnter – house sports.
Other guests at the sporting events were High Chief Musediq Alliu, Regent/Olisa of Ijede, the State Commissioner for Education represented by My Adeboye Adewunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) was represented by Mr Amusan, Otunba Shakiru Bello, Registrar, LASUSTECH, Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), was represented by Mr Hassan Olalekan, Divisional Police Officer, Ijede Police Station, Mr Yusuf Bello Adeniji, former aspirant for Ikorodu Constituency II seat, Princess Toyin Aroyewun, Mr Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), former aspirant for Ikorodu Constituency II seat, Mr Adeseye Akinsola, Chief Executive Officer, Menzzo Car Wash, Igbogbo among other guests.
