In an exclusive chat with The Hope, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ondo State and Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Board, shares insights into his political journey, his role in advancing youth development, and the strides made in sports.  He also sheds light on his ministry’s plans for youth empowerment, the strategic enhancement of sports facilities, and the successes of the Sunshine Stars football team. He also addresses persistent rumours surrounding the potential privatisation of the state-owned football team. Excerpts:

Could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye. I currently serve as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and chair the board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ondo State.

 With your experience in politics, now that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa wants to complete the tenure of his predecessor, how has it been so far?

  Let me put it this way – I have been deeply involved in politics for quite some time. I started as a party agent in 1989. Since then, I have held various positions: from ward executive and ward secretary to local government secretary, state executive, and national delegate. I have served in numerous capacities – as commissioner, secretary of a local government, and currently as Commissioner for Youth and Sports. I was also appointed as Commissioner for Works in 2021 before eventually returning to Youth and Sports. Additionally, I served as a member of the board of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) before being reappointed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

This extensive journey has enabled me to work across multiple administrations. The experience has been invaluable. Reflecting on the last 10 months, it is clear that we have a governor who is not only fortunate to hold this position but also someone who has gained admiration from the people of Ondo State. He stepped in to complete the previous administration’s term and has consistently delivered.

Absolutely. Governance is indeed a continuum. In the past 10 months, the governor has committed to seeing through the projects initiated by his predecessor. Not a single project has been abandoned. We recently passed a supplementary budget, signed into law by the House of Assembly, which allows us to continue ongoing projects and programmes, ensuring that the state budget aligns with the priorities of this administration.

In the area of sports, we have made significant strides. Just recently, I was on Fresh FM discussing our efforts in youth and sports development. When we came on board, Sunshine Stars, our darling football team, was languishing at the 18th position, staring relegation in the face. We managed to raise them from 18th to 10th, ultimately escaping relegation and securing their place. This commitment reflects our determination to uplift the standards of sports in the state. At the end of the 16th, we are ranked number 10. This reflects our commitment to raising standards. And while I may not be the commissioner for football, we do consider other sporting activities as well.

Today, we have a chairman of the Ondo State Football Association (ODSFA) who is merely supervised by the ministry. I want to emphasise that I am not solely focused on football; we also engage with other sports.

We talk about football, hockey, gymnastics, handball, and even para games.

In our state, we have been performing well. We recently completed a national youth games event in Asaba, where the youth from Ondo State emerged as the fastest runners in Nigeria. In table tennis and swimming, we also came first, securing a gold medal. This illustrates our commitment to sports development.

You are likely aware that the sports council is undergoing renovation. This is akin to giving it a facelift; it is not just about renovating the space and installing a new track.

We are doing our utmost to remove the old synthetic field and replace it with a new one. We are also working to create a suitable pitch for hockey, ensuring that hockey players have a befitting hockey pitch. Additionally, we are renovating some of the existing sports facilities to meet standard requirements so that we can compete effectively with others. Although we have not yet established a new sports complex, I assure you that we are striving to elevate what we currently have to a higher standard.

When the Governor is being elected, we will begin discussions regarding budget provisions for a new stadium. We currently have one stadium in Ikare, as well as two that have been abandoned in Ore and Ile-Oluji.

We must assess all these facilities and ensure that we create enabling environment for sporting activities. This will enable us to explore the nooks and crannies of the state in search of young, talented athletes, allowing us to nurture their potential from a young age.

In the realm of sports, that is what we have been focusing on. We must strive to use sports as a means to develop our youth, engaging them and drawing them away from the streets. We aim to empower them so that they can become employers in the sporting sector. That is our goal.

This is why we have been actively seeking to collaborate with various agencies, such as the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Sports, the UNDP, and the Bank of Industry. We want to ensure that, no matter what, we can achieve these objectives.

We are implementing several initiatives, including our skill acquisition centres located in Oda, Ile-Oluji, and Oke Ijebu. I have visited these centres and assessed the condition of the equipment available there. Our aim is to ensure that our youth are actively engaged in these programmes. Employment does not have to revolve solely around white-collar jobs

 We must create an environment where young people can acquire skills that enable them to become employers themselves, sharing their knowledge with others. This will lead to a society rich in technological development. Employment will not always come from civil service jobs. We need to foster an environment that encourages development and job creation.

This is the path taken by many developed nations. They do not rely solely on civil service jobs. So why not return to a time when job opportunities were scarce? When responsibilities weighed heavily on individuals? When people were actively employed? There is significant development taking place, and we must embrace that potential.

  Sir, you mentioned youth empowerment, please let us know what your ministry is doing to engage youths in the state in order to shun social vices?

We are aware of the social vices, just like what I told the Minister of Interior, the money the Federal Government committed to feeding prisoners is more than what you can use to empower the youth. When you empower them, you take them off the streets, thereby reducing crime. And when you do not do that, they commit crimes and end up in prison, and then we are unable to feed them. So our state is aware of these issues.

So we are taking steps to ensure that we create this. In recent times, those engaged in skill acquisition have been empowered with three million naira each. It is not only about training and going home; it is not just about giving you a sewing machine or a dryer and expecting you to go and sell in the market. It is about ensuring that you are trained, empowered, and monitored so that you, too, can become an employer and rise to a better class of labour, helping to take others off the street to reduce the rate of crime.

Recently, our office, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, organised several three-day seminars and symposiums aimed at engaging with our youth, particularly those who are already skilled. However, we have come to realise that some of these individuals require our commitment and support.

 They need financial assistance. Therefore, we have decided to provide N500,000 to help them establish small-scale acquisition centres. We also encourage them to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

It is important to clarify that this money is not meant to be pocketed or spent on personal items; rather, it will be invested in their enterprises. This way, we can monitor how the funds are utilised. We oversee their skill acquisition training and, upon completion, provide them with sewing machines or hairdryers. Before long, you will see these items in the market.

 Our youth today often aspire for significant financial gains. We are trying to address this mindset by ensuring that they are registered with the CAC, as there must be a sense of commitment on their part. They should understand that they have a responsibility to give back to the government.

 While we provide them with financial support, we will also monitor their progress. This is not a father Christmas money; it is an investment aimed at fostering productivity.

As Ondo State gears up for election, what message do you have for the youth who may be tempted into violence?

You see that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adopted a system where the issues of thuggery and ballot snatching have been significantly reduced. In the past, one could easily snatch a ballot box, take it away to count, and then return it. However, with INEC’s current system of transmitting results at the unit level, these issues have diminished.

Let me inform you that for the upcoming election, I am the chairman of the Youth and Student Committee for Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s campaign. My duty and responsibility are straightforward: it is not all about mobilising support for the party. We must talk to the people and let them know that this election must be free of violence and must be peaceful. After the election, Ondo State will continue to be the Sunshine State.

No one should be used to create crises for violent purposes. It is due to our efforts and the governor’s determination that Ondo State must remain peaceful.

You can see that during the last protest, Ondo State was not involved. It was not because we were oblivious to what is happening in the country, but we realised that there is always sunshine at the end of darkness. This does not mean that we should take the law into our own hands or destroy property in order to engage our youth or reduce hunger. A hungry man is an angry man, but we must not resort to violence. During our interactive sessions, as we engage and speak with them, they also recognise their importance. Today, the youth of Ondo State are determined that tomorrow will be better.

Looking at the governor’s campaign activities over the last few weeks, we have been monitoring them closely. As a chieftain of the party and someone in charge of Youth and Sports, what can we take away from the governor’s campaign activities ahead of the November 16 election?

You can say that this is a new dimension. We are witnessing a violence-free campaign, one where thugs are not in buses trying to create unnecessary scenes. In the past three weeks or month, we have not experienced a single gunshot from any hoodlum.

This indicates that we have established mechanisms to ensure that the youth of Ondo realise their potential and that any of them could also become governors. Nobody wants to be used. This is a message from Mr. Governor through our office during our interactive sessions with the youth.

Everyone has now come to understand that violence solves nothing. It feels like we are witnessing a free campaign across all local governments. We will be present, we will engage with the people, and we will return home safely.

No gunshots, no crises—none of that. You will not witness such occurrences. Let me emphasise this: the world itself is progressing. We have moved from our old way of life to a more modern existence; it is a daily reality.

 We have been seeing O’datiwa, O’dirorun, what’s the secret about it?

Let me explain the situation. We have our own son in Western Nigeria—a man who has done remarkably well for this nation, who has always been at the forefront of the struggle to liberate Nigeria. He is a democrat, a man who has consistently fought to lead us out of military rule. Even a poor civilian regime is better than a strong military administration. We have Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, and we must give him time.

Yes, reform may be painful and difficult. However, I can assure you that today we are working to reduce our international debt. We are trying to create policies, some of which may be challenging. For instance, the increase and subsequent removal of subsidies may have certain effects.

But I can tell you that these difficulties will be short-lived. We must also give him time. This is our moment.

We need to rally around him; the average Yoruba person believes that this is our time, and we must not mess it up. Reform may be painful, but that pain is temporary. At the end of the tunnel, we will see the reforms that will lead to a better tomorrow.

Secondly, we have a state—Sunshine State.

In the last ten months, we have had a governor who has brought luck to Ondo State.

Firstly, there have been no crises; Ondo State has been recognised as a free state within the federation. I can tell you that many youth programmes backed by financial support are ongoing. When a leader speaks, I assure you people have confidence in that, and they can invest their futures in the hands of such a person. That is one of the significant lessons we have learned in the state.

Where is the opposition?

The PDP, during its years in power, brought untold hardships to this nation. Many things have happened in our country, and now we are engaged in damage control.

During their time in power, what have they accomplished? Untold hardships. Thus, what we are attempting is damage control.

 That is why you see members of the PDP also believing in us. When a former state chairman of the party joins us, it signals that the APC is a party that offers a better future for our people. Yes, we may be facing challenges, but I can assure you that the nations that are thriving today—such as China and even Ghana in Africa—have gone through similar struggles.

Let me say this: there has never been a struggle without its own hurdles. Yet we navigate through these challenges. During this period, we must endure, and I can assure you that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. There is always light after darkness, and that determination resides in the good people of Ondo State. They have faith in us.

We have a governor who is not new to the system. He was in NDDC, a deputy governor and an acting governor; today he is the governor seeking re-election.

 So what does he want? He is an experienced individual; he is not someone we need to explain the role of the Head of Service to. No, he is a man entrenched in the system.

 That is why, within the party, we allow him to be our flagbearer. He is already part of the system, so why not let it function?

From your experience in politics, it is evident that the APC is harvesting leaders from other parties. Are we moving towards a one-party system in Nigeria?

It is not that we are simply harvesting politicians. These politicians are leaders in their own right. They understand what is best for themselves, for the state, and for the nation. Nobody wants to remain where their future appears bleak.

 Anyone in government can elevate this state, and who would want to obstruct that? No one. Those who have joined us have done so of their own accord; they believe in our party.

They have witnessed what Mr. President has achieved, as well as what this administration has accomplished. Even our late governor established a legacy that has not been obstructed.

I was part of the previous administration, and today I am here. This is our government.

It is not a cosmetic project; some governments come to the state and merely paint roofs. No, this is a tangible project—one you can feel and touch.

Let me assure you, go to the sports council. For the past ten years, it has remained stagnant. But we are rehabilitating and renovating it, putting modern structures in place. At the end of the season, you will see stability. I can tell you that the governor has promised the good people of the state that he will embark on a new stadium.

When some governors come into power, they abandon ongoing projects. However, you are witnessing a government that continues the projects initiated by its predecessors.

 We are here, and those who have joined us want to be part of this moving train. They want to contribute to the progress of the state and the nation. It is not about harvesting; it is about them wanting to escape from a dilapidated environment to a place where they can thrive.

 You can see monarchs, kabiyesi, and traditional rulers coming together. I am sure you, as journalists, are aware of this.

 Today, even in your office (The Hope), we are striving to bring in better, experienced journalist, somebody who is not just local but have worked nationally with various papers in this country. When you mention his name, people respond positively because they know these individuals come with fresh ideas.

 In recent weeks, we have seen the online presence of Hope, which was not like this before. Now, you will observe new innovations and ideas coming to fruition.

You will understand that we have a governor who can identify and appoint experienced individuals to manage various sectors. Everything is not merely about politics; we seek out better hands, experience, and technocrats to handle various agencies. Only then can we achieve results. This is what Aiyedatiwa is doing.

A man who has done so well for this nation. A man who has always been in the struggle to liberate Nigeria. A democrat. A man who has always been at the front line to take us out of military rule. The worst civilian regime is better than a better military administration. We have Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the President of Nigeria. We must give him time.

It has been rumoured that the state government is planning to sell or privatise the state-owned football team. Could you clarify?

Rumours will always be rumours. This is a team that was ranked 18th out of 20 in the league when we came on board. With relegation beginning from 16th place, we were close to the bottom. However, in just three weeks under my oversight, we moved from 18th to 10th place.

This achievement is not solely mine; Mr. Governor has supported us financially and morally, constantly encouraging our efforts. So, why would we sell the team? We didn’t consider selling it when we were 18th, so why would we now at 10th? We’ve played well in both home and away matches, winning some and losing others.

What gives rise to this idea that we would sell a club performing so well? Absolutely not.

Let me tell you more: two of our players have been selected for the Super Eagles, and one has been chosen to play internationally. We have an excellent coach, an experienced chairman—who has previously served as a commissioner—and a strong team of players.

Are you suggesting we’ve assembled all of this just to privatise and sell it? What would be the benefit? Why would we put so much effort into getting things right only to hand it over to others?