FASU Lagos 2024: Lotus Bank MD Advocates Scholarship, Mentorship, and Investment in University Sport
At the 11th All Africa University Games (FASU) Scientific Conference on September 24, 2024, held at Lagos State University, Lotus Bank Managing Director Mrs. Kafilat Araoye emphasized the importance of scholarship, mentorship, partnerships, and investment in sports infrastructure for African universities.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
On September 24, 2024, at the 11th All Africa University Games (FASU) Scientific Conference held at Lagos State University (LASU), the Managing Director of Lotus Bank, Mrs. Kafilat Araoye, emphasized the urgent need for African universities to focus on scholarship, mentorship, partnerships, and investments in sports infrastructure. Her keynote address highlighted these areas as vital for repositioning university games across the continent.
Under the theme "Fostering Unity, Healthy Competition, and Global Excellence through University Sports," the two-day conference aims to enhance the role of university sports in driving continental development and elevating African athletes on the global stage.
Mrs. Araoye, an alumna of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), articulated the transformative potential of university sports, urging institutions to promote both intellectual and physical development akin to the approaches taken by Ivy League schools in developed countries. She stressed that sports can break barriers, foster unity, and catalyze growth while repositioning Africa on the global sporting arena.
In her address, Mrs. Araoye called for inclusive participation, community engagement, and the adoption of technology to enhance university sports. She urged university managements and stakeholders to provide opportunities and support for young athletes to excel academically and athletically. She also encouraged the athletes participating in the 11th FASU to view their involvement as foundational to their future roles as leaders and ambassadors of African excellence.
The Vice Chancellors of the co-hosting universities, Professor Folasade Ogunsola from UNILAG and Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello from LASU, welcomed participants and highlighted the conference as a critical platform for developing policies that drive university sports. Prof. Ogunsola urged attendees to discuss strategies for utilizing university sports to inspire unity and enhance Africa's global standing.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by FASU General Secretary Dr. Peninah Aligawesa and NUGA President Dr. Mohammed Bawa, who commended UNILAG and LASU for their exceptional hosting of the event. They advocated for collaboration to address challenges in the growth of university sports.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Ibidapo-Obe, along with a representative from NAFDAC, Mrs. Yedunni Adenuga, also extended their congratulations to UNILAG and LASU for hosting the 11th FASU.
The conference's opening session featured cultural performances from UNILAG and LASU students and the presentation of plaques to dignitaries. According to the conference chairman, Professor Grace Otinwa, the event aims to tackle the complexities and challenges faced by African university sports.
In a live session on LASU Radio, Prof. Ogunsola and Prof. Olatunji-Bello discussed their expectations for FASU Lagos 2024 and the collaborative efforts that made the event possible.
