By: Chinedum Ohanusi 

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Otunba Sylvester Ikuejamoye has sent a heartwarming congratulatory message to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on his well-deserved victory at the recently concluded, Ondo State governorship election.

In the message, made available to reporters in Abuja, Otunba Ikuejamoye who was a member of both the Special Interest, Contact and Mobilization group, as well as the Ilaje LGA Elders Advisory Committees of the just concluded Ondo Gubernatorial polls, also commended Gov Aiyedatiwa for a clean  that centered on issues, and were devoid of personal attacks.

Otunba Ikuejamoye, who is currently the Vice President of Africa Sports Management Association [West Africa Region], and a board member of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), particularly applauded the sports fraternity in the state, for their unflinching show of love and tremendous support through their votes given to the Governor.

Otunba Ikuejamoye, who was the National President of the Federation of Public Service Games in Nigeria, FEPSGA, in its glorious era (12 years); and co-Chair, Steering Committee of the ECOWAS sponsored; West Africa Public Service Games, encouraged the Sports-loving Governor to leverage on the opportunity inherent in Sports, to get the Youths endowed with talents and skills, gainfully preoccupied with sports, which he said is a proven means of reducing the rate of social vices, and unemployment.

The Member of NOC - Sports For All Commission, and Ilaje-born sports administrator, who had previously served as Chairman of Ondo State Weightlifting, and Handball Associations,  emphasized that the state is loaded with sports talents that  could be a major force at any national competition, when well harnessed.

Otunba Ikuejamoye who was the Ondo State Director, Tinubu Shettima Grassroot Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC), in charge of Support groups & NGOs, during the 2023 Tinubu Presidential Campaign, also praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for the "humility and maturity he exhibited, which ultimately attracted the electorates; and earned him the landslide victory at the polls, last month. 

Ikuejamoye passionately appealed to Governor  Aiyedatiwa to "tap into the untapped gold mine, and ample prospects and multiple economic benefits of the Sports ecosystem, to drastically reduce youth unemployment, maintain the peace, and elevate Ondo State rating, in the sporting map of Nigeria and Africa.

Otunba Ikuejamoye, who served as chairman, implementation committee of the Scientific Congress of the 13th African Games, held in Ghana earlier this year and was one of the Guest Speakers at the Scientific Congress, of the 2nd Africa Military Games, which ended in Abuja on Saturday, enjoined the Governor to prioritize Sports; by investing more in all of the state owned teams and athletes. 

"I saw for myself, in clear practicable terms, the governor's passion for sports, when he physically attended the 2023 Annual 'Olympics Day Run', in Akure, and was ably represented pby his Deputy at the 2024 edition", Ikuejamoye said.

Otunba Ikuejamoye, also appealed to party supporters not to waiver in their overwhelming support for the Governor and the party, as such a bond of trust, will engender record breaking achievements, that will set Ondo State apart, and make the Sunshine State a reference point, in a few years to come.

To get elected, Gov Aiyedatiwa, won votes cast across the 3,933 Units, 203 Wards, 18 LGAs, 26 State Constituencies, 9 Federal Constituencies, and 3 Senatorial Districts.

"Since, it is generally believed, that the voice of the people is the voice of God; then, of the truth, God has spoken; and Governor Aiyedatiwa will reward the people with Grade 'A' performance in the next four years", Ikuejamoye asserted.