• Editor, Daily Sun, Mr. Iheanacho Nwosu (left), presenting letter nominating CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of Lagos Access Bank International Marathon, Chief Bukola Olopade, as winner of The Sun Sports Personality of the Year Awards 2023 in Lagos
The Chief Executive Officer, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organisers of Lagos Access Bank International Marathon, Chief Bukola Olopade, has hailed the standard and quality of The Sun awards, describing it as the most credible.
Olopade will receive The Sun Sports Personality of the Year Award alongside 33 other distinguished Nigerians, who will equally be honoured with other awards on February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
He spoke in Lagos when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presented his letter of nomination.
Olopade, who is also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2024 National Sports Festival that is coming up in Ogun State, expressed his appreciation to The Sun for choosing him.
He said that The Sun awards, have, over the years, proven to be the best and given without any condition attached.
Olopade said: “I want to specially thank The Sun newspaper for this award. For those who know me, I’m always reluctant to collect awards because most times awards in Nigeria are tied to one thing or the other. And you go and collect those awards only for you to find a few years later that some scandal happened. So I’m always very reluctant.
“I made up my mind to accept this award because it is one of the most credible, if not the most credible in this country. I know governors who will do anything to be recognised by you.”
He expressed delight that he would be honoured alongside his state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his schoolmate in England, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
“This is not something that was planned. It happened coincidentally and for that, I’m extremely grateful,” Olopade said.
While giving reasons for Olopade’s emergence, Ukeh, who was represented by Editor, Daily Sun, Mr. Iheanacho Nwosu, described his success story as an interesting one.
He said that soon after leaving office as Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development in May 2011, Olopade brilliantly moved on to greater things, venturing into sports marketing through his Nilayo Sports Management Limited.
According to him, in the last couple of years, athletics seem to be staging a comeback in the Nigerian sports circle due to Olopade’s concerted efforts to revive the sporting activity.
The Sun MD said: “There is increased enthusiasm and renewed passion for the sport among Nigerians, who are naturally known to be football lovers. One outstanding example of athletics revival in Nigeria is your brainchild – the popular Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which is now in its 9th edition. This sporting activity has undoubtedly put Nigeria in the global spotlight.
“You later moved to start the Abeokuta 10km Race in 2019 and the Remo Ultra Race. These events have changed the face of sports in Ogun State.
“It is interesting to note that these races are backed by the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF); and the primary objective is to spread economic prosperity to the hosting cities through sports and ultimately to showcase the tourism potential of those cities to thousands of participants from all walks of life.”
He also pointed out that “In a dynamic fashion, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has steadily progressed and has now received the World Athletics Certification as a Gold-Label rating, one of only two Gold Label races in Africa.
“To your credit, this is a landmark achievement in sports in Nigeria. Your company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, also signed a multi-billion naira contract that would see the birth of the Abuja City International Marathon.
“Aside from your giant strides in athletics, you also ventured into football, where you once owned Nilayo Football Club, a team that campaigned in the Nigeria National League (NNL) as at two seasons ago.
“It is noteworthy that you have secured a place for yourself in the history of sports in Nigeria as one who conceived the idea and profitably executed the sponsorship drive of the NFF, by bringing Stanbic-IBTC and other corporate partners to invest in Nigerian football, as sponsors. Through your drive, the bank partnered with the NFF for the provision of group life assurance for all 35 players of the national team with a total sum assured of N1.75 billion. The NFF also signed a N400 million sponsorship deal with Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu).”
Other people receiving The Sun Awards along Olopade are: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year); Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (Governor of the Year); Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Awa Kalu, and Rev. Uma Ukpai (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olu of Warri, (Most Impactful Royal Father).
Others are Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State governor and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre (First Lady of the Year); Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obih, Chairman, Sea Map Group of Companies, and Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, CEO of Richland Properties and Homes Limited, (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engineering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande, Chairman, Bellagio Airlines Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Dr. Uche Ogah, President, Masters Energy Group, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman, J_Jumac Industries Ltd (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Kevs Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu, President, Voice of Evangelism International Houston, Texas, USA (Humanitarian Service Icon); and Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security Services (Courage in Leadership Award).
Other award winners are, Mr. Robert Azibaola, Founder; Zeetin Engineering Limited; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakre (Nollywood Icon of the Year).