Founder and CEO of sports betting company, Nairabet, Mr Akin Alabi, has urged the media to acknowledge and live up to its critical role in promoting sports locally.
Alabi who was the guest speaker at the second-anniversary lecture of Fresh FM, Ibadan, held on Wednesday, argued that increased devotion of more media time and space to promoting age grade, schools and youth competitions was bound to encourage stakeholders’ investment and spur youths’ engagement in sports.
Speaking on “Promoting National Unity and Development through Sports: The Role of the Media”, Alabi who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, decried emphasis of the Nigerian media on foreign sports, emphasizing that the nation would boast of more talents if the media highlighted local sports.
He further noted that through the promotion of sports, which is a major unifying factor of Nigerians, the media would engender national integration and unity of the country.
Alabi spoke glowingly of Chairman of Fresh FM, Mr Yinka Ayefele, whom he said epitomized resolve and perseverance towards achieving success despite challenges.
Earlier in his remarks, Ayefele asserted commitment of the station to developing the society through its programming.
Director of Programmes/Head of Station, Mr Abolade Salami, who stood in Ayefele’s stead, expressed gladness the station was graduating into a noteworthy and professionalism-conscious broadcast house.
