The atmosphere at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall was electrically charged on Boxing Day as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, who also doubles as President of the Nigerian Boxing Federation, Mr. Wale Edun, offered high praise for the fresh momentum evident in the administration of sports in Lagos State.
Edun gave the commendation while speaking on the sidelines of the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor’s Belt event, where he applauded the leadership of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) under its Director General, Lekan Fatodu, for prioritising talent discovery and structured development at the foundational level of the sport.
Responding to the Minister’s commendation, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, who represented the Governor of Lagos State at the event, expressed gratitude for the validation of the Commission’s efforts, stating that the Commission’s dynamism was enabled by the passion and political will of the Governor towards sports.
“We are deeply encouraged by the Honourable Minister Wale Edun’s kind words, as they reinforce that our strategic focus on grassroots talent identification is yielding the desired atmosphere for growth,” Fatodu said. “The renewed vigour being witnessed in Lagos sports is a direct outcome of the resolute commitment and immense support of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The Governor’s vision sees sports not merely as leisure, but as a critical engine for the empowerment and development of our youth. It is his enabling support that allows the Commission to aggressively pursue these grassroots initiatives, ensuring that the vast potential among our youth, particularly in boxing and numerous other sports, is not left untapped.”
The successful hosting of the LBHF Governor’s Belt 2025 once again underscored Lagos State’s growing reputation as a hub for organised sports development, providing young boxers with a credible platform to showcase their skills while reinforcing the state government’s support and long-term commitment to excellence in sports.
