Aspirant

  The Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation on Friday, December 19, 2025, empowered young girls, secondary school students and women in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, as it hosted the maiden edition of the Kingsway Under-17 Female Football Competition and Empowerment Programme. The event, which was held at IDC School, Apapa, Moniya, Ibadan, attracted political leaders, party elders, community stakeholders, youth and women representatives. Attendees converged to witness a programme that blended sports development, educational support, women empowerment and grassroots engagement. As part of the initiative, the foundation distributed writing materials and learning instruments to secondary school students across the local government area. The programme was hosted by the Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, alongside Dr. Hafeez Amuda, popularly known as Kingsway, founder of the Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation and an aspirant for the Oyo State House of Assembly, Akinyele Constituency I. Speaking at the grand finale, Dr. Amuda described the initiative as a deliberate effort to use sports as a tool for empowerment, discipline and social cohesion, particularly for the girl child. According to him, the U-17 female football competition was designed to create opportunities for young girls, encourage teamwork, build confidence and promote healthy lifestyles, while also steering them away from social vices.   “This programme goes beyond sports. It represents people-focused leadership, leadership that engages our youths positively, empowers women, supports education and strengthens community unity,” Dr. Amuda said. He added that grassroots sports remain one of the most effective platforms for talent discovery and youth development, stressing that young girls deserve equal opportunities to explore and maximise their potential through sports. Dr. Amuda explained that the distribution of learning materials was part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting educational development, noting that access to basic learning tools plays a crucial role in academic performance and students’ self-confidence. “Supporting education is supporting the future. These materials may appear small, but they make a significant difference in the learning process of our children,” he said. Mr. Obatowa JP, representing the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, said the Oyo State Government was pleased with programmes that support educational development at the grassroots. “The government is happy with initiatives like this. When individuals support education, it shows a clear commitment to the future of our children. The governor appreciates programmes that promote learning and youth development,” he said. He added that individuals and organisations that consistently support education are recognised by the government, noting that such efforts align with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde on inclusive development. He also commended the Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation for complementing government efforts in education and youth development. Some of the student beneficiaries described the support as timely and impactful. One of the beneficiaries, Bolatito, said the learning materials would help her improve in mathematics and other subjects. “It will help me to do better in my subjects and calculations, especially mathematics. I will use the instrument during calculations and examinations,” she said. Another beneficiary, Samuel Paul Oreofe, also commended the foundation for the gesture. “This is a nice idea. We thank him for the gift. God will bless him. It will help in calculations and improve our intelligence for education,” he said. The football competition climaxed with an exciting final match, as T Talent Football Team emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Kingsway U-17 Female Football Competition. The winning team received medals and cash prizes, while other participating teams were also recognised for their efforts.