MEDIA

The Kayode Tijani That I Knew! –

Published

3 months ago

February 11, 2024

TRIBUTE BY ISRAEL TOPE AGBOOLA.

In 1986, amidst our quest for knowledge, we found ourselves united in the halls of school during our HSC A/Levels in Lagos.

At that time, it was undeniable that your passion for football and novels burned brightly. A year later, you embarked on a journey to the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, while I set my sights on the University of Lagos.

You had to navigate the journalism landscape, making your mark in various outlets such as The Guardian, Complete Sports, Fame Magazine, Channels Television, and independent production.

However, our paths did not intersect during this period. It wasn’t until a cold morning in December 2002 that our lives intertwined once again.

You were part of a media delegation led by Dr. Amos Adamu that visited AIT in Lagos. Coincidentally, I had just finished presenting Kakaaki Sports News, and we unexpectedly crossed paths at the studio entrance.

It was a moment of pure joy. Soon after, you visited my home and formed a lasting friendship with my late younger brother, Dr. Julius Ibukun Agboola.

Fate had another surprise in store for us as we ran into each other again in London in 2006. While I was stationed at the BBC office in Bush House, Aldwych, you would regularly stroll down from the BEN TV studio in Tottenham Court Area to meet me.

By then, you had finished your programme, ABC Sport. Often, we would sit in one of the cafés near the London School of Economics.

Our conversations would barely begin before fans recognised you and showered you with praise. It came as no surprise when Dr. Mumuni Alao visited London and compared your popularity to that of Michael Jackson every time you ventured out together.

Together, we conducted numerous captivating interviews with sports stars like Kelly Holmes, David Hayes, and Eniola Aluko.

Kayode, you were a wealth of knowledge, shining like a thousand stars, leaving those we interviewed in awe. I attended many of your programmes on ABC Sport alongside Wunmi Lily’s Mum Thomas and your friend, Akeem Oyetunji.

Not long after, a Christian television station called Revelation TV headhunted you. They did not care about your Muslim faith, as the station’s founder, Howard Conder, assured me that “Kayode is a good man.”

Though accolades followed you wherever you went, there was a persistent desire within you to relocate your family abroad.

One evening, as we strolled from my place on Kennington Road, Waterloo, you shared your plans to establish a Sports Archive in Nigeria, bringing you closer to your loved ones.

Our conversation consumed us as we unknowingly passed Holborn Station. Astounded by the distance covered, we decided to conclude our discussion at your place in Shoreditch.

Just a month later, you were back in Nigeria. Since your return, there was a slight drift between us as our communication significantly decreased, especially before you fell ill.

Your memory would resurface whenever Cable News ‘Kisu Sulola, the sister of my friend and former room-mate at Unilag, Bidemi Sulola, called inquiring, “Have you heard from your friend?”

Unfortunately, the news of your passing reached me this week after Nigeria’s victory over South Africa in the ongoing AFCON 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.

I will forever be grateful for your help and support during the passing of my brother and your dear friend in 2016.

It was you who inspired me to establish the Dr. Julius Ibukun Agboola Endowment, which continues to provide support for the best-graduating student in Marine Science at the University of Lagos.

Thank you for the time and unforgettable moments we shared. I will not shed tears because it is over, but instead, I will smile because fate allowed it to happen. Please convey my deepest regards to my brother and your friend, IBK.

May the just man find eternal rest.

Featured

Edo State Governor, Top Dignitaries Storm Lagos For Sportsville Award –

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Edo State Governor, Top Dignitaries Storm Lagos For Sportsville Award -

The creme de la creme of sports personalities will gather in Lagos this evening for the 4th edition of Sportsville Special Recognition Award ceremony.

Topping the list of the dignitaries is the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki whose state is receiving award for the Best Sports Facilities Category, immediate past Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, who is the Special Guest of Honour and ace TV anchor, Oseni Rufai of Arise Television.

The list also includes the Chairman/CEO of BRILA FM, Dr Larry Izamoje, Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Lagos State House of Assembly, Abiodun Orekoya, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, among others.

The organisers are excited that former Green Eagles Skipper and founder of Eagle 7 Sports Radio, Segun Odegbami, has accepted to Chair the occasion.

“We’re really excited that top personalities like Dr Odegbami will be chairing the occasion. It tells you the credibility and quality of the award which is only in its 4th year,” Frank Ilaboya, the Chief Executive Officer of Sportsville, the organisers of the award said.

The quality of awardees in the different categories is another area Mr Ilaboya is fascinated with.

In the Sports Icon Category, we have the likes of former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, Chief Solomon Ogba, Rtn Victor Ochei and Otunba Segun Runsewe, OON.

The Sports Administrator of the Year has the NPFL Board Chairman, the quiet and soft speaking Gbenga Elegbeleye.

Dr Uyi Akpata, the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, leads the likes of Sam Ocheho and Francis Orbih of Handball and Badminton respectively, Hajiya Zainab Saleh, Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi and Women football pioneer, Elder Eddington Kuejubola .

The list also includes the Chairman, Anambra State Football Association, Chikelue Ileononysi.

The rave of the moment in sports radio broadcast goes to BRILA FM, while Kunle Solaja is named as Nigeria’s highly rated diarist!

The newly-introduced creative category goes to Jenkins Alumona, the Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Promotions, just as ex-Olympian Daniel Igali wins in the Integrity Category

The Media Officer of the Year goes to Oladimeji Oshode of Remo Stars Football Club.

In the sports facilities category, Edo State came tops while Remo Sports Facilities Complex made the cut in the private sector category.

Mark Igoche clinches the Achieve Award. “My special regards and appreciation go to the Organising Committee led by the ebullient Adekunle Salami, the Deputy Editor and Group Sports Editor of the New Telegraph, for doing a good job, Mr Ilaboya picks up the story again

“I know how daunting it is to sieve few names among the tons of qualified personalities.”

Several arrays of top entertainers have been lined up for the ceremony billed for the prestigious Eko Club in Surulere, Lagos State.

MEDIA

Nigeria’s Former Sports Minister, Dare Storms SV AWARDS With Powerful Team. –

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The list of those coming for this Friday’s Sportsville Special Recognition Award is growing by the day.

The latest confirmation came last night from the immediate past Sports Minister, Hon Sunday Dare.

Chief Dare, who was honoured yesterday in Abuja by Frontier Television with Service Award, confirmed his attendance when he spoke with Adekunle Salami, the Chairman of the Organising Committee.

“Count me in to grace the occasion. I will not only attend, but I will be coming with a powerful delegation,” promises the man whose imprints as Sports Minister has continued to resonate in the sports circle.

Dare’s conformation has increased the number of guests expected at the event. As at this morning, over 100 guests have confirmed their seats for the award billed for the Blessing Hall of EKO CLUB, Surulere.

Meanwhile, one of the nominees, Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi, says she was surprised to be nominated among the awardees. “It came as a pleasant surprise, and I kept wondering what I have done to deserve this honour.

“I am humbled by this and I want to thank the organisers for picking me among the top women administrators in Nigeria.

“This will definitely push me to do more in the years ahead,” the soft spoken administrator added

This year’s edition is the 4th in the series with over 20 people listed for honour. The date is Friday, March 1st, 2024

MEDIA

Ilaboya Explains The Essence Of Sportsville Special Recognition Awards –

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ilaboya Explains The Essence Of Sportsville Special Recognition Awards -

With the next edition fast approaching, the brain behind the Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, Frank Ilaboya has thrown light to the reasons behind the event.

“We received two pleasant surprise messages yesterday from two most respected individuals in sports journalism and sports marketing.

“Before I share their messages, I want to say that members of the Organising Committee and I are deeply humbled by these messages which touched on the credibility of Sportsville Special Recognition Awards.

“Mr Jenkins Alumona and Taye Ige, MD/CEO of Flykite Productions and President/CEO of HotSports Group respectfully, spoke about the credibility of the annual awards on Friday February 23rd.

Alumona, a nominee in the Creative & Innovation Category

in this year’s awards started the credibility story immediately after reading the Daily Countdown.

He said: “The need for inducements is primarily why I have refused many awards in the past. I am so happy that this award is one devoid of pressures of any type and it is completely the result of the efforts of I and my team to participate in the progress of Nigerian football using the vehicle of the Naija Super 8. Sportsville’s insistence on walking the awards tuff differently is certainly appreciated.”

We were still savouring the euphoria of that message before another came from Mr Taye Ige, commending the organisers for their credibility.

“I want to specially commend the brains behind the Sportsville Awards for the credibility of the programme.

“This is not the kind of awards where the organisers will be soliciting for some kind of patronage or any type of hidden payments.

“I was privileged to be a recipient of one of the awards a few years ago and I must confess that I was wowed with the high level of honesty, transparency and professionalism of the organisers.

“I have also followed the plans and announcements for this year’s edition and am looking forward to being a part of it,” he added.

Only yesterday, a recipient in the 2022 edition, Olumide Oyedeji, said as much that his award had no monetary attachment, it will remain the most credible sports award.

For me and my team, nothing to add than reiterate our vision to build an enduring credible award devoid of monetary attachment.

Join us on Friday, March 1st, 2024 at the Blessing Hall of the EKO CLUB to celebrate the best of the best.