Governor Oyebanji Unveils Ekiti United Head Coach, Jersey For New NNL Season

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday afternoon.

Governor Oyebanji who was represented by the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Akintunde Oyebode said in his speech that it was a delight to be here (Oluyemi Kayode Stadium) to perform this ceremony of unveiling the coach, team, and jersey of Ekiti United Football Club for 2023 football season.

“Ekiti United Football Club is a State-owned football club that has been in limelight over the past few years. Our administration is very impressed by the giant strides of the club which almost made it to the Nigeria elite league -Nigeria Premier League (NPL)- in 2021.

“It was gratifying to see Ekiti United rubbing shoulders with top-rate clubs like Remo Stars of Ogun and

Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the campaign for the premier division. The club have made the State proud by maintaining and improving on their status in the second division league-Nigeria National League (NNL) -and since the rebirth of the club during the tenure of the former Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti United have continued to do well in the second division league.

“From all indications, I am optimistic that the club will escalate to the Nigeria Premier League this season. The State Government under my watch will continue to give the club all the necessary support and logistics to actualize this dream in not distant a time,” said Oyebanji.

The Governor charged all Ekiti sons and daughters home and abroad, to come and support Ekiti United Football Club to greatness.

“It is obvious that Government cannot do it alone in the preponderance of other competing challenges.

“Let me charge the Management, handlers, and players of the club to continue to strive for excellence at all time and give Ekiti the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) slot at the end of this season. Government shall continue to enhance your capacity and provide support within the limits of available resources.

“It is therefore my pleasure to unveil the Coach, team and new jerseys for the Ekiti United Sports Club for the 2023 Sports season to the glory of God and development of sports in Ekiti state,” Oyebanji concluded.

Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs Tola Faseluka commended Governor Biodun Abayomi for his commitment and unflinching support towards taking sports to the Zenith.

“Governor Oyebanji’s support towards sports in the State can not be over emphasized since assuming office.

“It is pertinent to note that governor has made it a priority to see our support sportsmen and women equipped with modern facilities to improve their performance and a better welfare package,” said Faseluka.

Present at the unveiling were the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Olubunmi Adelugba, Head of Service in the State, Bar. Bamidele Agbede, Director of Sports Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Oluyemi Babatope, Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Michael Awopetu, former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Kola Owoseni and Titilope Abdulganiyu and a host of others.

The friendly match to celebrate the unveiling between Ekiti United and Osun United ended in a stalemate.

Ekiti United have been drawn in the Southern Conference B3 alongside Ikorodu City (Lagos), Madiba FC (Lagos), Abeokuta Stomers (Ogun State) and FC Ebiedei (Ogun State).

The Kehinde Anjorin led side will take on Lagos based club, Madiba FC in the league opener on March 19th as they kick off their Nigeria National League campaign.