Managing Director of Lotus Bank, Mrs Kafilat Araoye has identified scholarship, mentorship, partnerships, and investment in sports infrastructure as tasks that African universities must commit to with a view to repositioning university games.
Mrs Araoye made this known on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, while delivering the keynote address at the Opening Session of the 11th All Africa University Games, FASU, Scientific Conference, at the Lagos State University, Ojo.
With the theme: Fostering Unity, Healthy Competition, and Global Excellence through University Sports, the 2-day Scientific Conference ended on Wednesday, September 24, 2024.
The Lotus Bank MD/CEO spoke on the potential of university sports as a tool to drive continental development while also propelling African athletes to the global stage for exploits.
While emphasizing the need for African universities to champion both intellectual and physical development through sports as done by Ivy League institutions in developed countries, Mrs. Araoye elucidated on the potentials of sports to conquer barriers, build bridges, catalyze growth and development as well as reposition Africa and Africans, especially in the global sporting arena.
The 1987 UNILAG Alumnae advocated inclusive participation, sportsmanship, community engagement, and technology as some of the approaches that must be adopted to drive university sports.
To the management of African universities and other stakeholders in university sports, Mrs Araoye challenged them to recommit to providing opportunities, support, and nurturing that will enable young athletes to excel both in sports and academics.
She also charged all athletes featured at the 11th FASU to see their tasks beyond competing for medals and trophies and see themselves as laying the foundation for their future as leaders, role models, and ambassadors of Africa’s excellence.
Earlier in their addresses to welcome participants, Vice Chancellors of the co-hosting universities of the 11th All Africa University Games (FASU Lagos 2024), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, (UNILAG) and Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello (LASU) described the Scientific Conference as a platform to harness ideas and develop policies which would help drive university sports.
Prof Ogunsola challenged the gathering to deliberate on ways university sports can continue to drive unity and inspire Africans for global exploits. Her words, “…the knowledge shared here will contribute to advancing the status of African university sports while positioning us for greater achievements on the global stage”.
There were goodwill messages from the FASU General Secretary; Dr. Peninah Aligawesa and the NUGA President; Dr. Mohammed Bawa, they both applauded the managements of UNILAG and LASU for the quality of hosting. They also advocated synergy and collaboration to mitigate the challenges plaguing the growth of university sports.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule represented by Mrs Olubunmi Ibidapo-Obe, and representative of the Director-General, NAFDAC, Mrs Yedunni Adenuga also gave goodwill messages to congratulate both UNILAG and LASU on the 11th FASU fiesta.
Highlights of the opening session for the 11th FASU included stage performances by troupes from UNILAG and LASU as well as the presentation of plagues to dignitaries.
The 11th FASU Scientific Conference, according to the Chairman, Professor Grace Otinwa will, among other things, address the challenges and complexities of African university sports.
