Nine prominent Nigerians including Former Governor of Oyo State,Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Osun State Governor Mr Gboyega Oyetola, First Lady Aisha Buhari and Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu, have bagged the Maiden Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Pillar of Sports Award, for their role in youth and sports development.
The awards presented by Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, Vice Chancellor, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State, also saw billionaire businessman Prince Ned Nwoko and honoured with the same award.
Other awardees were Engr. Gideon Ikhine, a PDP Governorship Aspirant in Edo, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Mr Frank Okiye, and Chief Ken Imasuagbon, proprietor of Pace Setters Schools, as well as Mr Brown Ebewele, former Edo Commissioner for Sports.
Prof. Onimawo said the awardees deserved to be honoured going by their pedigree and contributions to sports development in the state and in the country.
“We looked at their pedigree and what they have been doing for sports; take the case of deputy governor of Edo State, as a deputy governor he plays for Bendel Insurance Football Club as a team member.
“Is it Brown Ebewele? This is someone who has contributed his quota in sports as commissioner for sports; Ned Nwodo is building stadium somewhere.
“These individuals have done so well in the area of youth and sports development when you look at them one after the other.
“Chief Imasuagbon popularly known as the ‘rice man’ is supporting sports everywhere in Edo State, so we don’t just give award because somebody has money; if it were for money, we know people to contact.
“Some of them are not sportsmen but they like sports and they contribute to its development, so, they deserve the award,” Onimawo said.
Onimawo who was decorated with a special belt by the Karate Association in Edo State also commended the awardees for donating to the university’s N500 million endowment fund for the construction of a mini stadium.
The stadium the VC said when completed would have an indoor sports hall facilities and also a tartan track for athletics.
“We will have an indoor sports hall where we can play badminton, table tennis and then, develop a new arena for hockey, volleyball and handball, these are things we want develop.
“My vision is that by the time we are leaving office, all round development of sports must have taken place,” he added.
Prof. Felix Okokhere who received the award on behalf of Aisha Buhari and Mr Okiye, the Edo House of Assembly Speaker said the award was an indication that sports development and people go hand-in-hand.
“This University is located in a place where talents abound; Super Eagles players Victor Osihmen and Odion Ighalo are from this environment and we want to encourage more of their likes to come up.”
Okokhere who is a member of the award committee said the award is not about grandstanding but bringing development to the grassroots.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that businessman cum educationist, Dr Fola Akinosun received the award on behalf of Osun State Governor, Mr Oyetola.
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