A royal father in Alimosho area of Lagos State, Oba Abu Jelili Ododo of Ije Ododo Kingdom has stated deep happiness over his involvement with an impending table tennis competition among secondary school students in his neighbourhood.
The competition, which is tagged Kabiyesi Cup, is scheduled to hold this Friday at Will-B Excellence Secondary School, Ikotun, ahead of which His Royal Highness is already beaming with excitement and delight.
He disclosed that he was impressed with the confidence expressed by the organisers in approaching him to sponsor the contest, which was initially meant to have eight schools in attendance, but is now a limited closed event.
Although the competition’s outlook eventually had to be altered, after time constraints and logistics curtailed the schedule, Oba Ododo said he is satisfied with the programme that has been put in place by the organising committee.
The organisers are operating under the banner of Will-B Table Tennis Club (WBTTC), with Daniel Hassan as president, Christian Oyagwa as vice-president and Anthony Chukwuzubelu as secretary as well as five of their colleagues as ex-officio.
They have already finalised plans to stage a glorious competition that would be truly befitting of the Oba’s image, while also serving as part of their school’s activities for Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary.
On his part, Hassan disclosed that the single-day event, for which they bought a brand new table tennis board and too quality assessories, will be used as a test run for a bigger contest in November.
The plans have so much excited Oba Jelili (Akoi), to the extent that he is already enthusing about splashing more cash on the organisers for Friday’s event, which he noted will be the first of its kind in Alimosho local government.
He declared during an informal chat with this reporter: “I am happy with what these boys have done so far.
“They are still secondary school students, but they already know how to make themselves relevant to their community.
“That’s why I am supporting them fully, and I am even ready to sponsor them more, considering that they are bringing fun and peace into the community, while adding value to youth development as well.”
The traditional ruler concluded with a pledge to be present at the event on Friday, because he will use it as his personal outing for Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day anniversary.
