Organizers of the annual Sportsville Special Recognition Awards have unveiled the shortlist for the 5th edition coming up in Lagos on Friday, March 21st, 2025.

A release signed by the Secretary of the Awards Committee, Matthew Okugbe, shows that over 21 sports personalities and corporate organisations will be honoured in five categories.

In the Icon Category, the late Chief Okoya Thomas leads other four prominent sports gurus including Rotimi Pedro, Yemi Idowu, Osa Adun and Olympian Chioma Ajunwa.

Enugu Rangers’  General Manager, Ezeaku Amobi, emerges the Sports Administrator of the Year while   Fanny Amun leads other nine personalities in the Special Recognition Category.

The list also includes:

 Gafar Liameed, Chairman of Lagos State Football Association and Proprietor, of 36 Lions FC, Emmanuel Osahon, Proprietor, FC Robo, Amb Sunny Osayande, Managing Director, Big Joe Motors and Giadomeneco Masari, President Nigeria Cycling Federation.

Others are Coach Terry Eguaoje, Kingsley Awodi, MD Afrikings Homes, Prince Paul Ngadiuba, and Prof Florence Adeyanju, President of Nigeria Women in Sports (NAWIS).

In the Innovative Category, the initiator of the first-ever boxing league in Nigeria, the YUCATECO Boxing League, Yakubu Omolei Imadu, easily stands out while the NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davison Owumi joins  Chris Green in the Achievers Category.

In the Corporate Category, Peculiar Ultimate and 1 x Bet are listed while the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, clinches the Sports Facilities of the Year award.

The Chairman of the Award Committee, Adekunle Salami, the Deputy Editor of Saturday Telegraph Newspaper, said the Award committee would not compromise on its credibility in picking the awardees hence the meticulous process of shortlisting those to be honoured.

“This Award is about honouring those who have contributed to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria over the years and I am happy that the committee has once again highlighted individuals and corporate bodies who have truly made an impact in Nigerian sports.

“I must say here that the process that threw up the above names has been meticulous.

“As we look forward to another exciting ceremony in March, I want to thank my committee members for their time and total commitment to this cause.”

An excited CEO of Sportsville,  Frank Ilaboya, promised that this year’s event would be an upgrade to the previous ones.

“This is the 5th edition, and we are excited to hear and read positive comments about the Awards. Sportsville Special Recognition Awards is anchored on credibility, and we will continue to protect this.

“I want to thank the Award Committee led by the indefatigable Adekunle Salami for doing a great job.

“From the look of things, we are set for another glamorous event come on Friday, March 21st at the Prestigious Eko Club,” Ilaboya stated.

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Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako will at this month’s end be conferred with the fellowship of the Nigerian National Institute for Sports. The announcement was made through a notification sent by the country’s highest sports institution to Dr Bako.

The recipient, who is also the Kogunan Sakwatto, created a plethora of famous TV programmes including Morning Ride, Mastersports and Second Chance, among others, and served as Special Adviser to a number of Sports Ministers many years ago.

He holds a doctorate degree in development communication from Ahmadu Bello University and was Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission between 1999 and 2002.

In the letter dated 12 December 2024 and co-signed by the NIS Director General, Prof O.A Moronkola and Registrar, Belmond Benson, the NIS remarked that the conferment of the fellowship is based on the immense contribution that Bako has contributed to sports development in Nigeria.

The conferment will be made during the ninth convocation of the institute which will be held on 30th January at the Gymnasium of the NIS at the National Stadium, Lagos.

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The Sports Journalists Forum (SJF)in Nigeria has launched its empowerment programme to support members in need of professional and business assistance.

This initiative, which coincides with the group’s seventh anniversary, is designed to provide financial support and grants for sports journalists who run small businesses or have entrepreneurial ambitions.

As part of the programme’s launch, Molade Oketoki and Ajunwa Julian each received a grant of 200,000 Naira to support their growing businesses, while Esther Pushe was awarded 100,000 Naira.

The SJF Group Administrator, Godwin Enakhena, said beyond giving handouts to struggling colleagues, supporting members with businesses and innovative ideas is vital to ensure long-term sustainability.

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