By Taiwo Ibrahim
Former Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare was named the Sports Administrator of the Year at the fourth SportsVille awards held in Lagos on Friday night, Sportivationng.com reports.
Dare was honoured for this sterling contributions to sports development in Nigeria during his time as minister.
The award ceremony which was held at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos on Friday had the crème de la crème or the sports industry in attendance, chaired by the Chairman of the event, Chief Segun Odegbami.
Top Sport editors, Sports Journalists, Sports Presenters were also in attendance alongside sports administrators, who gathered to show support for Sport Ville awards.
Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki was honoured for providing a state-of-the-art sporting complex, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
Former Abia State Governor, Sen. Orji Kalu was honoured with a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to sports in Nigeria.
The quartet of Nigeria Golf Federation President, Olusegun Runsewe, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye; Victor Ochei, former Delta commissioner for sports; Chief Solomon Ogba, and Igoche Mark got Special Recognition Awards.
Sam Ochebo was also recognised for playing a vital role in the development of Handball in Nigeria.
Hajiya Zainab Saleh was honoured for pioneering the promotion of women in Karate in Nigeria and Mrs Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, was recognised for her giant strides in sports administration at the Federal Ministry of Sports.
Uyi Akpata, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, also got an award to recognise his roles in the development of Cricket in Nigeria.
Remo Stars Media Officer, Oshode Oladimeji was named the Media Officer of the year at the epochal ceremony which also saw Jenkins Alumona and Chikelue Iloenyosi honoured for their roles in their various fields.
Chairman and Head of Local Organising Committee, Segun Odegbami expressed his delight that the award is celebrating those that have contributed to the development of sports in Nigeria.
Odegbami said: “This is an opportunity today to recall bits and pieces of our history, particularly the most successful sides.
“Those that received the honours are the ones who have made significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria either in corporate organisations or individual.
“This is a good opportunity for us to recall that history, those who have performed excellently, so I am delighted to be part of this history.
“The award that I also received was a big surprise for me, though not as a footballer, or journalist, but as a chairman of the event,”
