Members of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa Alumni Association has identified sports as key to a resolution of the age-long crisis between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Kwara State.
Speaking during a N100million fundraising dinner and award night for the construction of a mini-stadium in the institution, the national president of the association, Dr. Ayo Adeyemi, said that reconstruction and revival of sports facilities and activities in the institution will promote love and healthy competitiveness among youths in the communities.
Dr Adeyemi said that when completed, the project would accommodate an Olympic size swimming pool, the latest tartan tracks and tennis courts, among others.
“There has always been communal clashes between Offa and Erin-Ile. But we believe more can be achieved together if we work together in an atmosphere of peace and love.
“Project like this will play a significant role in that process. We stand with both communities as Alumni which informed our visitation to the two monarchs and their decoration as Grand Patrons.
“The polytechnic had won gold medals in past NIPOGA games which has not happened recently. So, we are stepping in with this project to improve the situation and positively engage the youths in the communities to take their minds away from negative vices.
“This will further build sportsmanship among the students to represent the nation as they have done in the past”, he said.
He also said that, although the Alumni had done lots of intervention programmes in the institution, it realised that sports as a gift and skill can mould the students into world-class citizens.
He charged other Alumni in the country to return to their Alma Mater and assist the government in the provision of sound education with interventions in necessary areas.
In her remarks, one of the awardees and the first female to win gold for the Polytechnic in the Track and Field event at the 1999 NIPOGA games in Kaduna, Fatimah Oyediran, described the event as apt.
She said sports had launched the Polytechnic into the global map in the past and returning to such a path with the ultra-modern facility will significantly impact the security and educational situation in the two communities.
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