Hon Wale Sodehinde, Project Director of National Transporters Game while speaking with newsmen during stadium inspection with national transporter leaders in Sagamu, and Ikenne,he revealed that the intention of the game was to bring unity in diversity among transporters in Nigeria,Africa and the world at large.
Stadiums inspected includes:Gateway International Stadium Sagamu,Remo Star stadium Ikenne owned by Hon Kunle Soname and National Youth Service Corp,Camp Sagamu for accomodations of participants.
Sodehinde opined that the major aim is to change the narrative and perception image damage to Nigeria transporter.
Hon Wale Sodehinde while acknowledging the initiator Engr Dayo Ogundipe who conceived the idea in 2017 with Former Senator of Ogun West ,Senator Gbolahan Dada noted that moves were made then and was endorsed by the former minister for Sport,Mr Solomon Selcap Dalung who said in two years we should stage National Transporters Game but for one reason on the other we were not able to but now we are ready to host the first of it kind in October 2024.
“We want to change the narrative, perception image damage to transporters in Nigeria we have Engr Dayo Ogundipe in 2017 came up with this idea,i joined Senator Gbolahan Dada former Ogun West to launch the idea to Federal ministry of sport and the minister gave us an endorsement,two years endorsement to stage national transporters game,we say unity in diversity,we are trying to make sure there is unity,love and growth among those driving the economy of this country.
Transporters are major player of Nigeria economy ,they should be well address,they should have good image,it gave us room to meet wonderful set of people across board of national transporter in Nigeria in the North,east,west and south to put our head together to bring a laudable transporters game in Nigeria.
This is not once and for all it is continuous,today Olympics have become tradition in the world politics because it started some where and thats what we intend to do with people like Hon Kunle Soname the owner of Remo Star, and so many other philanthropist who will add value we believe this will go a long way and it will continue.”
Sodehinde,after the tour in a brief meeting noted that a rough estimate of 142.5million have been earmarked for the non profit game.
He however enjoined all participating unions to lecture their members as regards the game and there should be no conflict or whatsoever as its just a game to unite unions.
He also encouraged them to bring sponsors so that the unions will pay low or no kobo to finance the game.
The transporters game will include:,Football will accommodate 23 players from each union,Ayo Olopon 4 players, Athletic games 12 participants(8 male 4 female),Draft 4 players, Swimming pool and Table tennis (2 male and 2 female)respectively.
He added that the game will be a yearly event,and the next one might be in the North,South East,South South,we are promoting love in diversity.
“We are expecting 12 transport Union but presently we have 8 which have responded to our call which means its a good move and may be by the time you media project this initiative others will join.” He said
In their respective reactions,the union leaders laud the organisers and which that it will continue to being love amd unity.
Prince Ganiu Salami,the National deputy President of Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners representing the National President Alhaji Yusuf Utman promised the bring sponsors for the game.
“This is a very good initiative,it will put ends to our rivals,and it will boost the hemps of our drivers not only drivers and owners too,before we transporters were just on pur own we don’t participate in any sport at all except individual who registered in gym on their own.
This sport will bring friendship,we will strike good relationship with each other.
It is a turning point that will bring friendship and cooperation between transporters in the nations. It will bring love which will help the nation.”
Nigeria Association of Miner Worker,PRO Ogun state council Comrade Soneye Tunde , said it is a good and lofty idea it will bring the transporters together,and everybody will know their strength.
He also noted that is union is ready to explore opportunities in the game.
Also speaking the Pro of Motorcycles Owners Union of Nigeria,Engr Murtala Bamidele, representing the state Chairman Ambs (Dr) Rasaq Olusola Sotayo opined that the game will add to the work balance life of riders and improve their health.
“It will unite all transporter across the nation,it will boost our worklife balance policy this will help our worklife balance policy in MOUN,it is good for our health and cooperate image in moun.”
Also the Assistant Secretary General for Nigeria Union Railway workers,Com commend the organiser and announce the union readiness to participate in the game.
