Kunle Adelabu
The construction of a Mini – Sport Centre in Imota, facilitated by the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, FCA, has attracted commendations from the traditional ruler and major stakeholders who agreed that when completed, the facility will further help in the development of youths and Imota community as a whole.
The construction of the sporting facility located at the centre of Imota, commenced last week and it is expected to have a 7-aside synthetic pitch, basketball and volleyball court, as well as other facilities.
While the project is expected to be completed and delivered by early March next year, the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, FCA, Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. (Prince) Wasiu Adekunle Agoro and Chairman, Imota Ayayo Development Association (IADA), Mr Adekunle Arowolaja, have commended the Senator on the laudable initiative.
Hon. Agoro, in an interview with THE IMPACT, traced the journey regarding the achievement of the project, back to three years ago when he held a discussion with Sen. Abiru, on the need to replicate his #DoingGood mantra which he has been implementing across the Lagos East and Ikorodu Division, in Imota.
The council boss, who was full of appreciation for Abiru, said that the number one project on his request list was a mini – stadium, while there were also block of classrooms and youth vocational centre. He said that they were on the verge of bringing the vocational center when the mini – sports complex came.
“I must say with all humility, that it is only Imota that has a space for such mini – stadium in the middle of the community, in Ikorodu Division, others only have spaces in the outskirt of their towns. The mini – stadium is located where we are using as our event centre which is right in the heart of Imota”, Hon. Agoro said.
“We were supposed to use the land to build the Imota LCDA Secretariat Complex, which I didn’t do, instead, I went to purchase two hectares of land that we paid for and did all the necessary things over, while hanging on to the dream that one day, the mini – stadium will surface.
“Two weeks ago, I received a call from my Distinguished Senator from Abuja, informing me that the mini – stadium that we have been asking him for is available, and requested to know if the space allocated for it is still available which I answered in affirmative and also told him about the location. It is our event and sporting centre, where Imota youths alwayd conduct their sporting activities.
“They sent a team to come and inspect the place and the team found it suitable and thereafter, I informed the Ranodu and the community about it, and they were so elated.
“Before you could say Jack, the contractor has moved into the site and the job has since started. This project is located in the heart of the Imota community. The project will have a synthetic football pitch, basket and volley ball court. We are having a sporting stadium and by the grace of God, the stadium will be ready by the end of February next year or early March, according to the contractor.
“The place where the Neighbourhood Watch is temporarily, will be vacated for the stadium project”, he added.
Commending the Senator for fulfilling his pledge to Imota, Hon. Agoro said that the community know the worth of the stadium and waited patiently until it materialized three years after.
“We know the value of the facility and we will be forever grateful to Senator Adetokunbo Abiru for such a befitting project in Imota. What they are constructing is similar to what was constructed in Epe by the Senator. I was there with the Senator and the Governor, when it was commissioned”, Hon. Agoro said.
“We know the worth of what we are expecting and that was why we took our time, waited for the right time and the Senator never disappointed us. This will take the youths out of the streets. They have all the activities there.
“The stadium is a welcome development which will serve the community. After they have learnt necessary trade and engage in them, the stadium will serve as a place that they can unwind, keep fit and relax instead of going to a place to make trouble.
“I am most grateful to him (Senator Abiru). He is doing wonderfully well and we will never forget him for doing this for us.Thanks to a wonderful man and the Senator of the people who is providing what the people really need. He is doing very well. He is doing good”.
Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, speaking with THE IMPACT in Imota, traced his relationship with the Senator to his father who was also a Senator in the Second Republic, and commended him and his counterpart in the lower National Assembly (Hon. Babajimi Benson), for developing Imota.
“When Sen. Abiru was nominated for the Senate, I told him that I was one of the Councilors that campaigned for his father when he was running for the Senate. He was shocked on hearing that. We were the ones that elected his father as the Senator then. I was a serving Councilor when his father became a Senator. So, Abiru keyed into that. So, is Jimi Benson”, the royal father said.
“I gave them admonition that they should not seek fortune, but fame and with fame, fortunes will come naturally and that’s what they have adhered to. Because of the way that I always speak to them, that is why they always wanted to impress and bring development to Imota. They always come for projects and seek for lands to locate them, and I always provided the necessary space.
“Land was provided for the stadium just like we did for the General hospital, when the issue came up. The land for the General Hospital was acquired in 1979. I was a Councilor then. It was Jimi Benson that facilitated the General Hospital over 40 years after.
“Abiru is the one that is facilitating the mini – stadium, and I have told him that we always celebrate our Ayayo Day ceremony here and that the next year’s edition would be celebrated in a stadium. God Almighty will continue to help us and help these people too”, Ranodu prayed.
Mr Adekunle Arowolaja, Chairman, Imota Ayayo Development Association (IADA), Mr Adekunle Arowolaja, also speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the sporting facility is an integral part of the concert efforts to engage the youths and develop Imota.
“The stadium is part of our theme and agenda for development this year. We had a whole lot of challenges with the youths. As the saying goes, ‘an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. This year’s theme of the Imota Ayayo Day actually centred around youth empowerment and development”, he said.
“The stadium project came while we are setting agenda for the youth empowerment. It would add to our plans to develop our youths and for our town to be in the lead. It would contribute to its development. We are so happy with this because it is going to compliment the ICT Centre.
“This area (location of the ICT, Stadium and other facilities) has been zoned as an institutionalized area, and as Imota’s ‘Oriki’ (songs of praise) depicts, we are all coming together to be part of it and enjoy Imota Ayayo. We are all going to be happy and our town will be better for it.
“In Imota, we have the rice mill which is the largest in Africa and it’s working. We also have the site for the Mile 12 market, there is the Magistrate Court and there are still going to be a whole lots of institutional things that are still coming. We are planning ahead.
“We have the welcoming spirit and with God on our side, Imota will be a peaceful and loving town to live in”, he added.
Meanwhile, youth leaders and other stakeholders have also welcomed the development which they described as long – awaited and desirable project.
