Ekiti State Ministry of Education has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Office of Sports Development for the use of selected public school playgrounds in a move aimed at promoting sports development and community engagement without disrupting academic curriculum or creating distractions.

The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Aderiye, mni who made this known shortly after the official signing of the agreement in Ado Ekiti, said that the focus is to promote better communication, reduce conflicts and enhance cohesion.

Dr. Aderiye added that the move is also targeted at ensuring that sports activities in the schools do not negatively affect academic undertakings and vice versa stressing that the core mission of the Ministry is to promote academic excellence and ensuring that students benefit not only from academic learning but also from extracurricular activities that can boost to their overall development.

She stressed that the agreement which is in line with the state government’s shared prosperity agenda, as championed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a short-term arrangement, designed to create a foundation for more sustainable sporting facilities, and in the long run, encourage local communities to consider purchasing plots of land for the development of dedicated sports complexes.

According to her, fostering sports in schools is not just about providing space for physical activity, but about building a culture that celebrates teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to ensuring the flourishing of every sector of the State, including sports, adding that the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the Office of Sports Development is expected to pave the way for a stronger Sporting culture, engaging students and communities meaningfully while also contributing to the development of future athletes.

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Urging the Office of Sports Development to ensure proper utilization of facilities at the affected schools, Aderiye stressed the need to protect the schools’ properties from vandalism, emphasizing the importance of protecting Government’s huge investment in the education sector to achieve the desired goals.

In her response, the Technical Advisor to the Governor on Sports Development, Dr. (Mrs) Olusola Osetoba described the agreement as a privilege that will not be misused, assuring that the facilities will be well-maintained.