…….Lagos State Commissioner, Political Stakeholders, Community Leaders Applaud SKIBANJ for Innovative Grassroots Initiative
By Emmanuel Ikpeama
The second edition of the Lagos Street Soccer Stars – Oshodi 2.0 has ended on a thrilling note, with Sheu Close emerging champions after defeating Amusa Street 2–0 in a fiercely contested final played on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The tournament, which attracted 32 grassroots teams from communities across Oshodi, provided an avenue for young footballers to showcase their talents while promoting youth engagement, community unity and talent discovery.
Sheu Close secured the coveted championship trophy and a cash prize of ₦1 million, following a dominant performance in the final. Chizom Kalu, popularly known as Eto, was the hero of the encounter, scoring both goals in a decisive five-minute spell to seal victory for his team.
He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and received a cash award of ₦100,000.
Amusa Street finished as runners-up and received ₦750,000, while Oremeji Street claimed third place and went home with ₦500,000.
In the third-place encounter, Oremeji Street produced one of the most impressive attacking displays of the tournament, defeating Salawu Street 6–1. Oremeji scored five goals in the first half before Salawu pulled one back after the restart. Oremeji, however, completed the rout with a sixth goal.
Ezekiel Odega was outstanding in the encounter, scoring four of Oremeji’s six goals and earning the Man of the Match award.
Another major individual award went to Fawaz of Abayomi Street, who finished the competition as the tournament’s highest goal scorer with nine goals. His impressive scoring record earned him the Golden Boot, alongside a cash prize of ₦100,000.
Beyond the football action, the tournament also featured community-oriented activities aimed at giving residents a memorable experience. One of the major highlights was a free haircut initiative organised by the King Ogunremi Foundation.
The foundation also presented cash appreciation to the barbers who had consistently provided free haircuts to spectators and residents throughout the tournament.
The gesture was widely appreciated as an example of how grassroots sporting events can be used to promote community service, volunteerism and support for local livelihoods.
The competition was organised in collaboration with Sporty Lagos Naija and championed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Grassroots Sports, Mr. Adebanji Atewogboye, popularly known as SKIBANJ.
The initiative is aimed at taking football to the streets, identifying promising talents from underserved communities and providing young people with constructive opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.
The successful completion of the Oshodi edition has also been described as another demonstration of the commitment of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat administration to youth empowerment, grassroots sports development and talent discovery across Lagos State.
Stakeholders at the event noted that initiatives such as Lagos Street Soccer Stars go beyond football, as they provide young people with opportunities to stay engaged, build relationships, develop discipline and potentially progress into professional sports.
Investigator news reports that the tournament attracted political leaders, community stakeholders, traditional rulers and representatives of security agencies, who commended the organisers for using sports as a tool for youth engagement, peace-building and talent development.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Housing and other political and community stakeholders who attended the event also applauded SKIBANJ for what they described as an innovative approach to grassroots sports development.
The APC candidate for Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency I, Hon. Taiwo Ayedun, commended the Lagos State Government and SKIBANJ for providing young people with a platform to express themselves through sports.
According to him, the initiative was helping to bring young people to the forefront while strengthening communities, pledging his support for the continuity and expansion of the programme.
Similarly, Hon. Mayowa Alakija, another APC candidate for Lagos State House Of Assembly Oshodi 1, described the tournament as a commendable initiative, noting that it attracted thousands of spectators.
He called for continuity, stressing that programmes of such magnitude could promote peace, harmony and talent discovery when sustained over the years.
Speaking with newsmen Nollywood actress and politician, Hon. Foluke Daramola-Salako, applauded the initiative and advocated its expansion to other local government areas.
She particularly called for the introduction of a female category, arguing that young women should also have opportunities to participate in grassroots football and showcase their abilities.
Other dignitaries at the grand finale included APC leaders Comrade Dele Ogunsakin, Hon. Saheed Animashaun and Hon. Leke Banjoko, who represented the Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, alongside councilors, community leaders and other political stakeholders.
Traditional institutions were also represented by Alhaji Dayo Aduke-Thomas, Baale Lemo and Alhaji Rafiu Ajisegiri, Baale Shogunle, while representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Air Force were also present.
It will be recalled that the tournament was sponsored by the Lagos State Government, FirstBank, Bank of Industry and Dangote Salt, reflecting a growing partnership between government and the private sector in supporting youth development through sports.
The organisers described the success of Oshodi 2.0 as another milestone in the Lagos Street Soccer Stars project, with stakeholders urging that the initiative be sustained and expanded to reach more communities across the state.
Investigator news gathered that the attention now shifts to Lagos Street Soccer Stars 3.0 – October Edition 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Ejigbo LCDA under the leadership of Executive Chairman Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo (TAT), in collaboration with the Office of the SSA on Grassroots Sports led by SKIBANJ.
With the Oshodi edition successfully concluded, expectations are already high that the Ejigbo edition will provide another platform for young Lagosians to turn street football dreams into opportunities while strengthening the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration’s grassroots sports and youth empowerment agenda.
The successful Oshodi tournament has once again demonstrated that beyond trophies and cash prizes, grassroots football can serve as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, community engagement, talent discovery and social development across Lagos State.
