Early in his football management life Oliseh was confronted with the dwindling and failing state of Nigeria’s football that was responsible for Nigeria players’ inability to neither attain the pinnacle of world football nor sustain such where they achieve same. He has now been found worthy of the award.

The said award is revered and conferred on individuals and organizations who have excelled in leadership, philanthropy, community development, business, academia, technology, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship across Africa.

Since 1995, Churchill Oliseh has contributed players to all trophies, medals, and laurels won by Nigeria national football teams. Including the Atlanta Olympics gold medal where he brought in Dosu Joseph, who never participated in the qualifiers. Presently, there are hardly any Nigeria Premier league teams without a graduate of his FC EBEDEI or in the recent past.

Recall FC Ebedei came into the limelight in 1998, but the actual events that led to its formation came as far back as 1993. Barrister Churchill Oliseh had ventured into players’ representation as a legal practitioner and an astute sports businessman, one of the few successful in Nigeria.

Churchill is the elder brother of former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh. Apart from Sunday, Azubuike and Eguatu were also professional footballers. So we can understand where the vast knowledge and exceptional vision came from.

His interaction with European football investors and administrators convinced him that the most powerful and influential position in the development of football was that of the club president.

The job of Churchill is straightforward; he discovers outstanding raw talents from the most remote parts of Nigeria, including the security challenged areas. Develop such a player in FC Ebedei and promote thereafter. He is the largest sole contributor to the pool of Nigerias exceptional football players.

Notable among such are the fast rising Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu (GENK), and Eagles’ new invitees, Frank Onyeka(BRENTFORD), Raphael Onyedika Nwadike(BRUGGE), midfielder Ajilore Oluwafemi, David Babajide Akintola, Sylvester Igboun Izunna Uzochukwu, OBAFEMI MARTINS just to mention a few.

FC Ebedei also produced Razak Omotoyosi for the BENIN REPUBLIC national team and Sekou Jabateh OLISEH for the LIBERIA National team. Malta senior and the Spanish national youth team included.

His recognition for the prestigious award is in line with Africa Illustrious Award vision to project and promote excellence in Africa, not as an exception, but as a consistent pattern in the modern African experience.

After due diligence; the Africa Illustrious Award team, made up of seasoned professionals, distinguished researchers, a special panel, and the public found Oliseh worthy to receive the AFRICAN LIFETIME LEADERSHIP AWARD for his contribution and development of football in Africa.

This prestigious award, first of its kind to be awarded a club President in Nigeria’s football family.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare on Friday received
the Excellence in Public Service Award from the Federal Government.

The award that was in recognition of his excellent contributions and commitment to the growth and development of sports in the country especially in the area of infrastructure development was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister dedicated the award to his team, praising them for their commitment to his vision.

“This is not a personal award for me. It is for my team, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, my aides and all those working with me in the Ministry.

“Without their hardwork and commitment to this cause, this award would not happen. So this is for them all.

“It is a call for us to do more. So we will not slow down, the remaining months I have left in office is for more hard work.” He said.

Apart from ensuring the best podium finishes for Team Nigeria in recent international competitions, Sports Minister Sunday Dare has initiated programmes that have led to the rehabilitation of some of the nation’s sports edifices which had been neglected before his assumption of office in 2019.

CAF/FIFA accredited photographer and ace NPFL photo delegate, Abdul Momoh
has been honored with the best photojournalist award by the renowned Symbol Magazine.

The Symbol Magazine/ Kwara Alert Newspaper, a popular magazine has rich contents ranging from politics, sports, lifestyle and health with wide range of recognition in and outside Kwara State.

The award was don on Momoh for his dedication and unrelenting contribution to the development of sports journalism in Kwara State and Nigeria.

The award ceremony saw notable people in attendance including the Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House Assembly, Hon. Olanrewaju Raphael Adetiba, Chairman of Kwara State Football Association, Mallam Idris Musa, General Manager of Radio Kwara, Kayode Aremu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Shamsudeen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Hajia Abdulrahman among other personalities.

An elated Abdul Momoh used the medium to thank friend and colleagues for their support and encouragement so far just as he dedicated the award to his late mother who encourage him in taking photography as a profession.

He commended the organizers for the initiative which he described as first of its kind.

“This is first of its kind in Kwara where media practitioners were been rewarded, kudos to the organiser and publisher of Symbol Magazine, Mr Remilekun Emmanuel. The online voting make it real for people to vote their choice candidates.”

The easy going Photojournalist has covered many national and international events and have previously bagged merit award in 2017 by Sports Media Ambassadors in conjunction with the Federal ministry of Youth and Sports, South West and 2019 Excellence special awards.

The widely travelled Photojournalist urged photographer to remain dedicated and be more creative toward achieving their goals.

At an impressive ceremony which held at the Oritamefa Baptist Church, Ibadan , Oyo State, the Minister was conferred with the honour by the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and CAN President Revrend, Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle for his sterling leadership qualities, moral rectitude and commitment towards the service of God and humanity.

According to Dr Ayokunle” You were carefully chosen for this award after going through a long process of screening by a committee of great people without bias or sentiments We are indeed very proud of you as a Baptist member for all your contributions to God’s work and the service of man kind We are very proud of you”

In his response, Mr Dare said” I feel privileged and honoured to be given this award. Although I have received several awards, but this is the greatest award to be recognised by the Baptist family and worthy men of God. It is a call to more service”