According to Nivo News, activities were brought to a standstill on Tuesday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure as sports stakeholders staged a protest against the appointment of Mrs Evelyn Lebi as Acting General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The protesters, comprising sports union leaders, coaches and athletes, argued that the appointment would not contribute to the revival of sports in the state, which they described as already grappling with prolonged decline. They maintained that the sector requires urgent leadership reforms to restore its lost glory.

Leading the protest, Coordinating Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Coach Fisayo Bello, said sports development in Ondo State was in a critical condition and needed the intervention of a competent technocrat with clear vision and technical expertise. He stressed that the state required leadership driven by passion and professionalism rather than appointments that could further stall progress.

Bello insisted that stakeholders had previously opposed Lebi’s emergence and were maintaining the same position, calling for a more qualified individual capable of reviving sports development and restoring past achievements. He noted that the demand was not personal but rooted in the collective interest of athletes and officials.

Echoing similar concerns, the Vice Chairman of the union in the state and a boxing coach, Osifo Moses, described the appointment as disappointing, arguing that sports in Ondo deserved leadership that would rebuild confidence and inspire growth across all levels.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Professional Coaches Association, Joshua Ogunbiyi, also clarified that the protest was not directed at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whom he praised for his commitment to sports, but rather at the choice of Lebi. He alleged that her previous tenure at the Sports Council was marked by internal tension and questioned her suitability for the role, citing longstanding reservations expressed by stakeholders.

Adding his voice, the General Captain of Ondo State Athletes, Idowu Afun, appealed to the state government to appoint a credible, energetic and competent leader who would prioritise athletes’ welfare, development and competitive excellence.

In response, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Henry Omoyofunmi, dismissed the protest as unnecessary and unfounded. He defended Lebi’s appointment, describing her as a qualified professional with over 15 years of experience at the Sports Council and currently serving as a Director of Sports within the ministry.

Omoyofunmi explained that her redeployment followed the expiration of the former general manager’s tenure and was carried out in line with administrative procedures. He further alleged that the protest may have been influenced by external interests, insisting that the appointment would strengthen rather than disrupt sports administration in the state.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising sports development in Ondo State, assuring stakeholders that efforts remain ongoing to reposition the sector for sustainable growth.