Road transport leaders during stadium inspection in Ikenne.

Adejoke Adeleye, Ogun 

Ogun State is set to hold the first National Transporters Game in Nigeria come October 2024.

Hon Wale Sodehinde, Project Director of National Transporters Game while speaking with newsmen during his stadium inspection with national transporter leaders in Sagamu, and Ikenne, noted that the one-week game is to bring unity in diversity among transporters in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

Stadiums inspected were: Gateway International Stadium Sagamu, Remo Star Stadium Ikenne owned by Hon Kunle Soname and National Youth Service Corp, and Camp Sagamu for the accommodation of participants.

Sodehinde opined that the major aim is to change the narrative and perception of image damage to Nigerian transporters.

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 endorsed by the former minister for Sport, Mr Solomon Selcap Dalung who said the game should hold within two years, “but for one reason on the other we were not able to but now we are ready to host the first of its kind in October 2024”.

“We want to change the narrative, perception image damage to transporters in Nigeria. Engr Dayo Ogundipe in 2017 came up with this idea.  I joined Senator Gbolahan Dada former Ogun West to launch the idea to the Federal Ministry of Sport and the minister endorsed us, for two years endorsement to stage the 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 players in Nigeria’s economy, they should be well addressed, and they should have a good image, this game that is coming up on October 20th-26th 2024 has given us room to meet a wonderful set of people across the board of national union 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 going to be once and for all; it is continuous. Today, the Olympics has become a tradition in world politics because it started somewhere and that is what we intend to do with people like Hon Kunle Soname the owner of Remo Star, and so many other philanthropists who will add value we believe this will go a long way and it will continue.”

Sodehinde, after the tour, noted that a rough estimate of N142.5 million had been earmarked for the game.

He, however, enjoined all participating unions to lecture their members as regards the game and that there should be no conflict whatsoever as it’s just a game to unite unions, there is going to be a general uniform that would be sold to members for fund racing as well.

He also encouraged them to bring sponsors so that the unions would 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 and 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 Unions but presently we have 8 who have responded to our call which means it’s a good move and maybe 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 be love and unity.

Prince Ganiu Salami, the National Deputy President of the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners representing the National President Alhaji Yusuf Uthman promised the bring sponsors for the game.

“This is a very good initiative, it will put an end to our rivals, and it will boost the hemp of our drivers not only drivers and owners too, we transporters were just on our own we didn’t participate in any sport at all except individual who registered in the gym on their own.

This sport will bring friendship, we will strike up a 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 Workers, 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 his union is ready to explore opportunities in the game.

Also speaking to the 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 the life of riders and improve their health.

“It will unite all transporters across the nation, it will boost our work-life balance policy this will help our worklife balance policy in MOUN, it is good for our health and corporate image in moun.”

Also, the Assistant Secretary-General for Nigeria Union Railway workers commended the organiser and announced the union’s readiness to participate in the game.