Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised the John Matthias Etim Foundation for its generous contribution of a basketball court to Apata Community Grammar School located in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
During the commissioning ceremony, Obasanjo expressed his admiration for the foundation’s initiative, urging alumni to take further steps to enhance educational development across Nigeria.
The occasion coincided with the school’s 44th founders day celebration, where John Etim, the founder of the foundation, was recognized with an Excellence Philanthropic Performance award. This accolade was jointly presented by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the President of the Alumni Association, Prince Adewumi Basorun.
In an interview, John Etim, the founder of the John Matthias Etim Foundation, explained that this project is part of a broader mission to support educational initiatives. He highlighted that the newly built basketball court, named the “Bola Ige Basketball Court,” was established in recognition of the need for a balanced approach to education that includes sports.
Etim expressed concern that many talented basketball players seek opportunities abroad due to a lack of adequate facilities within Nigeria. As an alumnus of the school, the philanthropist has previously undertaken various educational interventions but decided to focus on the basketball court to make learning more enjoyable for students.
He further revealed that the foundation has provided scholarships to underprivileged children and aspires to develop a sports complex that will feature a tennis court, a football field, and a race track.
The proposed sports complex will include a tennis court named after former Oyo State Governor Lamidi Adesina, an athletic track dedicated to former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and a football field honoring the school’s founding principal. The basketball court is the first step in this ambitious project, which will also encompass a recreational center and accommodations for security personnel.
