The Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr Gbenga Edema during the week said the commission was developing sports in its mandate area to curb youth restiveness.
Edema made this known when the executives of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State Chapter paid him a courtesy visit in Akure.
He said that incidents of kidnapping and restiveness had reduced in the area because the present government was giving attention to issues affecting the people in riverine areas.
Edema said OSOPADEC Football Club did not have a player above 22 years of age, because the commission was focussing on catching young talents to have a prolonged career at the national level.
“We have a lot of youths that we manage but to the glory of God, for some years back now, we have not had issue of kidnapping in the area. It is because we decided to engage them in sports.
“It is not that they desire those things (restiveness); it is as a result of neglect, environmental problem, environmental degradation over the years.
“With intervention through the amnesty programme and implementation of sporting activities under this government, they will soon be stars.
“That you (SWAN) are identifying things we are yet to achieve, means we are doing it right. Our goal is about developing the young people and pushing them to the next level.
“We don’t have players that are above 22, so our goal is to catch them young. Soon we are proposing school sports competition among schools in the region,’’ he said.
The Commission’s boss, however, promised the executives of sports writers in the state a partnership that would engender development of sporting activities in the riverine areas and the commission in general.
Edema noted that it was the first time the commission would be hosting members of SWAN since inception.
The state Chairman of SWAN, Wahab Bankole, applauded Edema for keying into sports as an avenue to develop youths in the area.
Bankole said the association was ready and committed to partnering the commission in promoting all sporting activities.
