The highly anticipated Yewa Unity Football Competition (Youth Championship) 2025 officially kicked-off amidst pomp and ceremony
The competition will run for seven weeks, with the final match scheduled to take place in March .
The ceremony, which took place simultaneously at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro; Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo; and YNLG Primary School, Ijoun.
President of the Yewa Youth Association (YYA), Comrade Abdul-Jabar Ayelaagbe, stated that the competition was designed to promote unity, peace, and development in Yewaland through sports and showcasing abundant football talents in the region.
His message was delivered across the different match centres by the association’s Deputy President, Comrade Isikalu Olanrewaju, Assistant Secretary General/Chairman of the Planning Committee, Comrade Olusesan Lekan, and PRO/Secretary of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Olaniran AbdulFattah
He said: “This competition is more than just a football tournament; it’s a platform to bring our people together, foster friendship, celebrate our heritage, and promote the exceptional football talents of our youth to the football world for the benefit of Yewa people and Ogun State in general.”
He appreciated the “fatherly support of the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Alayeluwa Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the entire Yewa Traditional Council, Yewa People Development Council, and eminent sons and daughters of Yewaland.”
He added: “soliciting the support of well-meaning individuals for sponsorship to ensure the subsequent stages of the competition are even grander than the group stages.”
The competition, featuring twenty-five town teams across Yewaland, promises to be an exciting display of football skills and talent, with scouts from football academies in Nigeria and abroad.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, Dr. Olusola Akinbode, commended the organisers (Yewa Youth Association) for their efforts in promoting unity and development in Yewaland.
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“This is a laudable initiative that aligns with the Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun administration’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and development in our communities. I am even prouder that this competition is organized by the youth constituency of Yewaland, which I am proud to be part of.”
Meanwhile, the kick-off ceremony was witnessed across various centres by prominent personalities including ,the Executive Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, Dr. Olusola Akinbode; Kabiyesi Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo, Oba Olushola Idris Lamidi Osolo; Kabiyesi Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdul-Azeez Ishola Adelakun; Kabiyesi Onijoun of Ijoun, Oba Gabriel Ogunji; Kabiyesi Onigboko of Igboko, Oba Itu Olasunkanmi Yusuf Oladehinde; and Kabiyesi Onijale of Ijale-Ketu, Oba B. B. Oyero.
Also present were the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) of Yewa South LGA, Com. Abdul-Jabar Ayelaagbe; the Divisional Police Officer of Ado-Odo; top security chiefs; Baales; high chiefs; Yewa People Development Council (YPDC) Locochap Chairmen for Yewa North, Com. Olatunji, and Ado-Odo Igbesa Zone Chief (Mrs.) Awolaogun. The Deputy President of Yewa Youth Association (YYA) led other executive members, along with youth leaders of respective towns, community leaders, and football enthusiasts.
Oba Olushola Idris Osolo praised the organizers for a well-coordinated program that speaks to the unity of Yewa by involving every key stakeholder.
“We appreciate the organizers who put this together. This is what we have been yearning for, and it is well appreciated. The Yewa River streams through many communities; as such, Yewa is a confederation of distinct and diverse cultural orientations such as Awori, Ketu, Anago, Eyo, Ogu, and many others. Programs of this nature will continue to unite us toward a common goal and collectively bring glory to Yewa, Ogun West, Ogun State, and Nigeria.”
In their separate remarks, Kabiyesi Alaye of Ayetoro, Kabiyesi Onijoun of Ijoun, Kabiyesi Onijale of Ijale-Ketu, Kabiyesi Onigboko of Igboko, and the DPO of Ado-Odo praised the professional and exemplary conduct of the match officials and participating town teams, expressing hope that this Omoluabi ethos will continue to characterize the competition as it progresses to the knockout and final stages.