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Edo State’s first-ever Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, has promised a year-round sports programme aimed at discovering young talent and keeping youths away from social vices.
Ilaboya, who was appointed by Governor Monday Okpebholo on 9 October 2026, spoke on Monday, 20 October, as a guest on the EBS 8pm news bulletin. He thanked the Governor for creating the office, which he described as the first of its kind in the state’s history.
“First and foremost, I want to thank His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for creating the office of Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Mobilisation. This singular gesture, the first of its kind in Edo State, shows his love and passion for the development of youths as well as the unearthing of budding talents in every nook and cranny of the state,” he said.
“I equally want to extend my deepest gratitude to him for finding me worthy to drive this project. I want to assure the good people of Edo State that I am equal to the task and will do my very best to restore vibrancy to grassroots sports development in our dear state.”
The former Executive Director of the Edo State Sports Commission and one-time Chairman of the Edo State Football Association said a comprehensive policy framework is already being developed to give effect to the Governor’s vision of using sports for continuous youth engagement.
“Beyond talent discovery, the Governor’s vision is to keep our youths productively occupied so that they have little or no time for social vices,” Ilaboya explained.
“Everyone is already praising His Excellency for his pragmatic approach to curbing cultism in Edo State. Sports remains one of the most effective drivers for engaging and keeping young people productively busy.
“This is why we must be deliberate and intentional in this onerous assignment as well. We are designing a holistic, year-round strategy that will keep the youths engaged in line with the Governor’s vision. Our immediate priority is to engage grassroots stakeholders to secure their buy-in. Next, we will roll out a train-the-trainers programme to build a network of competent partners at the community level.”
He added that his office will work closely with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other youth-focused agencies in the state.
Ilaboya’s appointment was widely welcomed as a strategic step towards deepening youth engagement and sports development across Edo State.
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