By Editor
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State Chapter on Thursday, installed the state Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, as a Patroness of the association in recognition of her passion for sports development in the state.
A statement issued by the Secretary of the association, Mr. Timothy Agbor, on Friday, disclosed that the investiture ceremony held at the Deputy Governor’s office, Government Secretariat, Osogbo.
It stated that event was attended by the State Commissioner for Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs, Hon.Biyi Odunlade, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Prince Adewale Adedoyin, chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Motunrayo Ayegbayo, executives and other members of Osun SWAN.
Speaking, the state chairman of SWAN, Mr. Adeyemi Aboderin, said that the Deputy Governor was being honoured and inducted, in honour of her numerous contributions to the development of sports and healthy living in the state.
Aboderin described Tomori as the best sports loving deputy governor in the country stressing that she would be the first deputy governor in the state to inducted as “Matron” as being provided for by the constitution of the association.
He said the investiture would better strengthen the relationship between the state SWAN and state government thus providing possible means of moving sports forward in the state.
He said the association was waxing stronger in the state since Governor Rauf Aregbesola was inducted as the Grand Patron expressing optimissm that the choice of Tomori would further boost the association’s strength.
Meanwhile, the deputy governor has expressed her happiness on the honour saying she would continue to support and participate in sporting activities in the state.
Tomori said girls from the state are excelling in sports and leading others in Africa and therefore called on SWAN and NAWOJ to encourage more female athletes to participate in sports.
She said, “I am indeed a lover of sports, and a passionate sports enthusiast. The governor has committed a lot into the development of sports in the state. The ‘Walk To Live’ exercise has been remarkable throughout the country and it has been keep the bodies of the people of Osun fit.
“I am delighted to be inducted today as Patroness of SWAN in Osun and it’s a good thing that various girls from this state are excelling and leading others in Africa in the world of sports. We need to encourage more females to participate in sports and I am specifically charging SWAN and NAWOJ to encourage girls to participate in sports and also support them,” the deputy governor noted.
Also speaking, commissioner for Social protection, sports and special duties in the state said the deputy governor was over for SWAN’s honour describing Tomori as a woman who has demonstrated enormous passion, love and commitment to sports and good governance generally.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a plaque and kit by the Commissioner for Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs and State Chairman of SWAN to the Deputy Governor as the association’s patroness.
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