Dear friends and lovers of culture and education,
The ‘Tunde Olatunji Ayo Olopon competition – Middle School Category, has come and gone, but the memory still remains. By all accounts, the competition as well as the year 2018 Asa Day celebration was a huge success and a great time with our talented school children across the length and breadth of Osun State, Southwest, Nigeria.
What a great moment it was! When we look back at the 2-weeks long competition and cultural festival that saw us criss-cross the entire State.
We kicked off the competition in the ancient city of Ile-Ife and moved the preliminary rounds across the three(3) senatorial districts in Osun, culminating in the April 4th, 2018 grand finale in Osogbo, the State capital. An awesome experience that still resonates in our minds. Indeed,our students are awesome! They are amazingly gifted and gracefully talented.
Out of the 371 middle school students that registered for the Ayo Olopon Competition in the State,
√ Akinpelu Rafiu, a 15 year old, Grade 9 (JSS 3) male student of L.A. Government Middle School, Ejigbo won the 2018 ‘Tunde Olatunji Ayo Olopon competition Trophy and Gold medal.
√ Adeboye Ayoade, a 13 year old male student of St.Stephens Government Middle School, Ora- Igbomina won the Silver medal.
√ Muritala Toheeb, a 16 year old male student of Olobu Government Middle School, Ilobu won the Bronze medal.
√ Adedayo Odunola, a 14 year old female student of Community Government Middle School, Oyi-Ajegunle came fourth and she was the most outstanding female participant of the tournament.
Prizes for the outstanding four (4 ) Ayo Olopon Players were; Trophy, medals, certificates and cash rewards. More so,we made beautiful african outfits for the sixteeen (16) finalists as uniforms and gifts.
We equally sponsored four (4)other cultural events as part of SUBEB, ASA Day 2018 and the winners are:
1.EWI –Ojeladun Afuye of St. Stephen Government Middle School,Ora- Igbomina.
2. EKUN IYAWO — Laro Government Middle School, Osogbo.
3.IJO IBILE- C&S Government Middle School, Ipetumodu.
4. IJALA ODE– Muslim Government Elementary school Modakeke.
A lot of hard work went into making this event a success and the competition is a result of an amazing and unique cooperative spirit, within the proud and beautiful landscape of culture and education in our dear State.
I will like to thank all those who joined us to make this happen.They are too numerous to name individually, but if it were not for your encouragement and supports, such an amazing competition would not have been possible.
1. To all the student participants:
They gave us their best and they have our deepest respect and appreciation. Truly, you guys are gifted and the State of Osun is blessed.
2. To Our Media Friends:
What a great time for our partnership!A big thank you to all our Media friends. Without your support, this competition could not have been such a success.
You have remained our true friends and partners in progress. From TVC to OSBC, BBC-Yoruba, Channels TV, MITV, NTA, Core TV, NAN, Radio Nigeria, Rave FM, Unique FM, Orisun FM,Tribune Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, Daily Trust, Alaroye, Fresh FM,Osun Defender, The Progressives e-group,
Amiloaded, egongalert, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). Geting support from about 25 electronic, Print and online media is indeed humbling. Thank you for helping us to share the beauty of this competition with a much wider audience and for being there all the time.
3. To the Asa Committee of SUBEB:
Combining a state wide competition and cultural event involving all middle schools in a State is quite demanding to put together smoothly. I will say a very big thank you to the 15 extremely hard working all female teachers and Staff of SUBEB, that have really made this year’s Competition a huge success.
You have clearly demonstrated that, truly, “good teachers are the reason why ordinary students dream to do extraordinary things”.
Someone that should also be enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done is the amazing Director of Middle School; Mrs.Arinola kikelomo Oladimeji (Iya Asa)– who has been a remarkable project coordinator and head of SUBEB-ASA committee, for her creativity and tremendous efforts in piecing all the details together.
I must not fail to say a very Big thank you to SUBEB Asa committee, the teachers and the students of Middle School in Osun for the surprise award of appreciation given to me on the final day of the competition. I am not just honoured, I’m equally humbled to be considered. I specially dedicate the award to all our pupils,because they are our future and they made us proud.
Without you, there is no competition, so once again thank you so much for your attendance and interest in our vision.
We are trusting God to be able to do this together again and even bigger next year!
Photos,videos and documentaries from the events will soon be available online for future references and promotion of the oldest board game in Africa.
In conclusion, we didn’t just brake records during this event,we made history.
1. The biggest Ayo Olopon (African Board game) school competition in the history of Nigeria.
2. The Ayo Olopon (African Board game) competition with the highest number of online images ever.
Thank you all once again for making these possible, as I invite you to join me in promoting our culture,preserving our heritage and make this vision a big deal.
This project is powered by Babatunde Olatunji, Member representing, Ife North State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly.
