Excellence Recognition Awards (ERA), the 19th edition, on Sunday 14th of May, 2023, honoured 14 excellent personalities and organizations carefully selected on the basis of recommendations made by a selection panel made up of dedicated and impeccable personalities.
The event started on time, in spite of the uncertainty induced by the heavy weather. The chief organizer and publisher of Global Excellence magazine, the organizers of ERA, Mr Mayor Akinpelu, opened the events with a speech to appreciate the awardees, visiting guests and the partnering organizations and institutions who made the day a success.
The anchoring was done by recognized masters of ceremony headed by a renowned electronic journalist, Deji Balogun, ably supported by equally famous entertainers-cum-media icons in the persons of Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, Alariwo of Africa and Koffi.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was the ERA Governor of The Year (South); Speaker Of The Year award was won by the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State won the Governor of The Year (North) category; Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State won the Politician of The Year category and Lifetime Achievement award went to
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the chairman of SIFAX. Government Official of The Year award for Mr. Ibrahim Adejumo Odumboni, the managing director of LAWMA; Businessman Of The Year award went to Barr. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, the CEO of SHAIDA & Sons; Special Recognition Award For Excellence In Real Estate for Prince Idris Balogun; UBA won Bank of The Year award, while the Local Government Chairman of The Year award went to Hon. Oladotun Olakanle, the chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, and Zenith Bank MD, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, won Banker of The Year award.
Other award categories are Regulatory Agency of The Year won by Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON); Government Agency of The Year, won by Lagos State Development & Property Corporation (LSDPC); and the Sports Personality of The Year category went to Hon Kunle Soname.
Among leading musical artistes and comedians that thrilled guests at the event are 9ice, Wale Thompson, Adex, Ajele, Bash, DJ Mystic, DJ Virgin, Flex B, Pencil G, Famous Igboro, Jay Sax, Koffi, HY 2, Muraino, Alincology, Danny S, Ogidan, Rapsouldy, Shokah, White Man, Real Love and Sammy Oma.
ERA 2023, as usual, enjoyed the goodwill of its regular brand partners like Nigerian Breweries Plc; Goldmyne Entertainment; Primetime Entertainment; Primetime TV; DAAR Communications; Brila FM; Beat FM; HIP TV; Jordan FM; Kennis FM; Raypower FM and Star FM. Also on the list of its available partners are City Royal Beat, Corporate Guards and Laredo, who all made the events worthwhile.
-Folorunsho Hamsat
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THE WINNERS’ LIST
GOV. YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO
Governor Of The Year (North)
Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Governor of Kogi State, in the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur with diverse and humongous investment interests across several sectors of Nigeria’s economy. Those who know Yahaya Bello well will tell you how he was hurt by the underdevelopment of Nigeria, and his native Kogi in particular, especially how the roots of that underdevelopment was fertilized by the rampant corruption and arrogance of successive political elite and their public service and private sector collaborators.
Yahaya Bello’s serious work ethics and dedication catapulted him through the ranks at a relatively young age into the commanding heights of a Civil Service career.
Governor Yahaya Bello is the chairman and founder of the Kogi Youths Arise Group, the political action group with which he prosecuted his campaign for office in 2015. The group’s twin tenets of ‘not too young to run’ and a ‘New Direction Agenda’ encapsulates the Governor’s passion for youth to get involved in politics and to try out fresh, if controversial ideas, in office.
Governor Yahaya Bello is a leading performer in the Vision 2030 of the United Nations via the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He has exceeded the 35% Affirmative Action for Gender Equity and Youth Inclusiveness. Governor Bello is a committed party man and a matchless political operative who has delivered for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in every assignment handed to him by the National Executive Council (NEC). He has remained the undisputed front-runner in security, affirmative action, youth inclusivity, unity and diversity. He is the bridge-builder who has stepped in to restore peace and unity to the nation when crisis loomed large.
For his sterling achievements in governance based on his administration’s successes in turning Kogi State from the most insecure state in Nigeria outside of the North East, into the safest state in the country, His Excellency Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Governor of The Year (North)
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UBA)
Bank of The Year
With a history of over 72 years, UBA is one of the leading and most recognized banks to originate from sub-Saharan Africa. UBA has growing operations in 20 African countries, the UK, USA, UAE and a representative office in France. For more than seven decades, UBA has been providing superior financial services to small businesses, corporations, governments, institutions and individuals globally.
UBA provides corporate, commercial, SME, consumer and personal (retail) banking services to more than 27 million customers, served through diverse channels: over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points with 2,669 ATMs, 87,223 PoS, and robust online banking services. Additionally, UBA offers pension custody and related services.
The bank has proven expertise and capacity in key sectors of economies across Africa, especially in Oil and Gas, Infrastructure Finance, Agric, and Commodity/Export, and this positions the bank as a preferred partner for structured solutions to key governments and corporations operating in/into Africa.
In recognition of its status as the undisputed leading and dominant financial services institution in Africa, United Bank for Africa, UBA, is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Bank of The Year.
BARR. AZEEZ OLADAPO YUSUF
Businessman of The Year
Barrister Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, the CEO of SHAIDA and Sons International, is a lawyer and entrepreneur who has explored the business sectors including entertainment, real estate, hospitality, oil and gas amongst others.
Barrister Yusuf’s relentless appetite for risk, his zeal to impact lives by creating jobs and transforming the business landscape with legacy projects have earned him accolades from far and wide. As a pacesetter, Asiwaju Yusuf has a larger-than-life image as a shrewd businessman and a risk-taker of no mean stature. His business’ operations also stretch across printing, renewable energy and soap production.
Leveraging on his personal capacity for business success and delivery, Barrister Azeez Yusuf’s A&A Consortium Gambia Limited is put in charge of handling contracts for various parastatals of the Gambian government including the immigration, army and police. As chairman of Prudential Financial Services, a listed BDC operator from the central bank of Gambia, and Big Apple Development Foundation, a charity organization that gives succour to the needy and also helps bring development to communities in Nigeria, Barrister Azeez Yusuf’s business empire has continued to flourish through wealth and value creation, in addition to a pool of highly motivated workforce.
For his business acumen, philanthropy and for using his God-given capabilities to foster the economic growth and development of Nigeria, Barrister Azeez Oladapo Yusuf is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Businessman of The Year.
IBRAHIM ADEJUWON ODUMBONI
Government Official of The Year
Mr. Ibrahim Adejuwon Odumboni is the Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). Before this appointment, he was the Executive Director (Business Development) of LAWMA with the mandate to ensure sustainability measures for all programs, transformation and change management to improve efficiency of operations amongst others. Prior to joining LAWMA, he provides Financial/Business Consulting services to organizations, high net worth individuals and some African countries for good governance and infrastructural projects finance under his own personal company.
As the Executive Director of LAWMA, his achievements include: Development of 10-year blueprint for sustainability of LAWMA operations; pioneering and launching of the Blue box scheme to promote separation of waste from source in Lagos State and providing capacity building for SMEs and other stakeholder in the solid waste management sector (PSP development and empowerment program);
In his capacity as LAWMA MD, Odumboni has brought about dynamism and sustainability to solid waste management in Lagos State with programs and initiatives such as: LAWMA Academy (The only solid waste management knowledge hub in Africa); Lagos Recycle Program (for promotion of waste sorting from source & introduction of PAKAM application for waste intelligence); Facilitating inclusion of waste management in primary school curriculum in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB); Provision of health insurance and performance-based incentive scheme for street sweepers; Increased LAWMA internal generated revenue by over 245%; Creating robust awareness and advocacy initiatives (LAWMA Ambassadors &Heroes); Re-organization of LAWMA for vision 2030 and infrastructural investment (procurement of new service fleets and development of engineering department for in-house manufacturing activities), and facilitating the construction of 10 Transfer Loading Stations, Material Recovery Facility and Medical waste incineration plants to improve solid waste management operations in Lagos State.
For his excellence in service delivery and possessing good administrative skills, with good business acumen, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Government Official of The Year.
- BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU
Governor of The Year
Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the 5th Governor of Lagos State, has distinguished himself as a service-oriented leader, who is committed to creating and delivering lasting values to Lagosians. Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s take-off as Governor was remarkable. He immediately took pragmatic steps to solve some of the age-long issues in the area of traffic management to make commuting easy and smooth for Lagosians. Specifically, the horrendous Apapa gridlock disappeared and travel time reduced because of his creative re-designing of major roundabouts across the State.
As he settled into office, Lagos literally became a construction site, with the massive infrastructural projects going on concurrently in every part of the State, delivering verifiable projects that make life easier and better for the people. The scale of construction happening in the State under his watch is unprecedented. Hence, the appellation of “Mr. Projects” given him by Lagosians. Mr. Sanwo-Olu is not resting on his oars. The methodical implementation of his administration’s THEMES Agenda is an eloquent testimony to his resolve to transform Lagos into a leading mega city in the world. From Ikorodu to Badagry, from Epe to Alimosho, from Agege to Satelite Town, from Ijede to Agbowa, from Iyana-Ipaja to Amukoko, from Isolo to Ajeromi, from Orile Agege to Igando, modern infrastructure in roads, schools, ICT, health and transportation spring-up daily.
Matching his words with actions, Governor Sanwo-Olu has demonstrated to citizens across the 57 Local Governments and LCDAs in Lagos State that the dividends of democracy are actually tangible. He has proven that right leadership is the catalyst for social transformation and development. With this mindset, he courageously managed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, who is the acknowledged symbol of responsible governance in Nigeria, in just a short while, has demonstrated exceptional capacity in governance and extraordinary aptitude in state administration. Sanwo-Olu has delivered many landmark initiatives that have not only changed the landscape of Lagos, but impacted the citizens positively. Some of the milestone initiatives include the Agege-Pen Cinema Bridge, Housing Schemes across the State, Urban Renewal in Victoria Island, completion of the Lekki Free Trade Zone Jetty and Offloading Platform, Empowerment of 879 Farmers and SME beneficiaries of the Lagos APPEALS, Training of over 18,000 under the EkoExcel Scheme, Renovation and Digitization of 234 public secondary school libraries, as well as Upgrading of over 1,000 public Primary and Secondary School. Additional are Delivery of 102 Waste Compactor Trucks and 100 Double Dino bins to boost LAWMA operations, Introduction of Body cameras for security operatives, Donation of 150 vehicles, 4 high-capacity troop carriers, 2 anti-riot water cannon vehicles to the police towards security strengthening in the State, launch of LagRide with 1,000 units of Sport Utility Vehicles and 560 high-medium capacity buses for standard routes across Lagos.
For his excellent performance and outstanding leadership qualities, his humility and simplicity, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Governor of The Year.
Lagos State Development and Property Corporation
Government Agency of The Year
Upon its creation in 1972, the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, LSDPC, which inherited its three predecessors’ liabilities and assets, was completely divested of all its development control powers. Between 1979 and 1983, a civilian administration transformed the State by adopting a dynamic housing policy with LSDPC as the implementation agency. Mass housing was built around the State that benefited the society’s low- and medium-income earners.
Between 1984 and 2003, the Corporation also recorded a laudable achievement in housing delivery, with various housing units in Ikorodu, Amuwo Odofin, Oko-Oba, Isolo and Ojokoro. The Corporation also provides Shopping Complexes in its estates to assist small and medium-scale enterprises to ease residents’ shopping needs and facilitate commercial activities in the State.
Over the last 50 years, the Corporation has delivered over 120 housing schemes and 27,000 units across the State, lifting the Lagos housing stock with 27,000 units of affordable homes across the state in the last 50 years of its existence. Under its Managing Director/CEO, Ayodeji Joseph, LSDPC has achieved remarkable results in fulfilling its mandate of developing housing programmes in line with the needs of low and middle-class families.
For its success story in ensuring that Lagos residents have access to decent, affordable homes regardless of their economic status, the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Government Agency of The Year.
DR TAIWO AFOLABI
Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the Group Chairman of SIFAX Group, is a seasoned businessman and investor with diverse interests in various sectors of the economy. With over three decades’ experience as an entrepreneur, he has successfully built the SIFAX Group brand from a small freight forwarding firm to a group of companies with investments in maritime, aviation, haulage & logistics, oil & gas, financial services and hospitality, among others.
With about three decades of rich entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Afolabi, through a dint of hard work, foresight, resilience, vision and knack for excellence, has emerged not only as one of the leading business icons in Nigeria, but also reckoned with across the world. No doubt his wealth of experience, organizational prudence and business ingenuity have remained invaluable assets to SIFAX Group, which has become a leading player in the Nigerian economy. The company, alongside its subsidiaries, has generated both direct and indirect employment for thousands of Nigerians.
Besides being renowned for his business acumen, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has also established a reputation as a public-spirited individual. His philanthropic philosophy has driven him to give hope and support to many public causes. The major focus of this philanthropic initiative is education, where many schools, from primary to tertiary level, have received immense support and assistance.
Due to his outstanding contributions to nation building, in recognition of his exceptional virtues and meritorious services to the nation, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is hereby honoured with Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hon. Oladotun Olakanle
Local Government Chairman of The Year
Hon. Oladotun Olakanle’s three years in the saddle as chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area is, in every aspect, a testament of effective service delivery in public sector. His much-admired success has been attributed largely to his passion for making effective service available to his people in Onigbongbo as well as promoting the wellbeing of society and human development, in general.
When Hon. Oladotun Olakanle presented to the legislative house the N3.24 billion proposed budget for 2023 tagged “Budget of Stabilisation”, it received a wide applause, given that his administration’s focus since inception have been about alleviating poverty, supporting individuals to sustain their optimal potential and ensuring that they do so in a secure and clean environment. In the last three years of Olakanle’s government, the cardinal objectives have remained the same, which is promoting a functional environment for all people; residents, businesses and visitors to Onigbongbo. These include human capital development including staff welfare, maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructural facilities, and many more.
In delivering on his campaign promises, Olakanle’s executive arm has been working in harmony with the legislative arm and all the stakeholders to execute projects earmarked for each year. Some of Olakanle administration’s achievements in the past three years, include the purchase of refuse compactor and providing medical outreach in all the six wards. Also, the administration distributed GCE and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination forms for pupils and gave scholarships to pupils,
A progressively minded, loyal party man, the Public Administration graduate of the Lagos State University, Olakanle’s administration has touched on practically all areas of human needs in bettering the lot of his people of Onigbongbo LCDA. These include, housing, roads, education, water, health, business, waste disposal, annual tree planting, regular empowerment and many more.
For promoting transparency and efficiency in grassroots governance and his sterling performance in office, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Local Government Chairman of The Year.
GOV ADEMOLA JACKSON NURUDEEN ADELEKE
Politician of The Year
Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke’s passion for politics and serving the people started as early as 1991, while he was elected with a landslide victory as a Senator for Osun West Senatorial District in 2017, after the demise of his late brother. His popularity reached a peak when he won the Osun 2018 governorship election in the first round before the rerun election.
Since his assumption of office, Governor Adeleke has deepened his bond with the people of Osun state through innovative governance that emphasized welfare and aspirations of the people above any other considerations. Through his doing more with less resources, the Governor has launched the phased payment of salary and pension debt owed by the past government while also attending to the payment of outstanding contributory pension debt. That attention to the public service boosts the state economy and raises the state informal economy.
His Excellency Governor Adeleke has also recorded vast accomplishments in the area of grassroots infrastructure development by completing hundreds of kilometers of critical roads within a span of five months in office. In his passion to deploy infrastructure to alleviate poverty and fast tracked development, Governor Adeleke has completed record numbers of bridges, culverts and inter and intra town transport facilities. As a champion of masses’ well-being, Governor Adeleke initiated the relaying of the state water pipeline networks under his agenda of providing water for all. As new water pipes are being laid across the state, pipe borne water is now flowing in some towns where the project is completed.
Within such a short period in office, the Governor also launched the state Tech Innovation and Digital Economy agenda, giving Osun state the first state policy on ICT, first state policy on tech innovation and fast tracking the domestication of Nigeria’s Start Up Act, the first state in Nigeria to achieve that feat. Osun Government under the leadership of Governor Adeleke flagged off the state Broadband Fibre Optic project for enhanced internet access in the state. Today, broadband cables are being laid all over the state with Osun totally waving payment of Right of Ways.
As an apostle of grassroots development, Governor Adeleke has approved a huge fund for community development associations for the provision of locally based facilities such as schools, market development, rural roads expansion and maintenance while sinking a total of 332 boreholes for the 332 wards in the state. Those projects are being commissioned on a daily basis across the state.
For deploying light as a metaphor for good governance, with major stand out qualities such as consensus building, resource management, attention to details, compassion for the poor, communal and interpersonal communications, firmness in decision making and being a great listener, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Politician of The Year.
ADVERTISING REGULATORY AGENCY OF THE YEAR
Regulatory Agency Of The Year
Advertising is a vital marketing tool utilized by businesses to promote their products and services. Advertising is regulated in Nigeria under both general and sector-specific laws, regulations, and guidelines, which stipulate principles and requirements for advertising. This is where the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, plays a major role.
As one of the bodies responsible for regulating advertising in Nigeria, ARCON, which recently transformed from Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, has surpassed expectations in ensuring that the quality that the multinational brands get from local agencies is at par, if not even higher than the quality they get elsewhere. Before the transformation that now gives teeth to ARCON’s efforts, about 120 billion annually was being lost due to capital flight in the sector where advertising targeted at Nigerians were produced externally, thereby creating jobs in other economies but not in the targeted economy, Nigeria. With ARCON, the story is different today because more multinational brands are now being compelled to use Nigerian talents, agencies, and producers in commercials targeted at the Nigerian market.
ARCON’s landmark accomplishments, thus far, is owed to the hard work and creativity of its team, the trust of its clients, and divine grace and favour. And in its bid to improve Nigerian advertising standards in line with international best practices, ARCON has designed an effective tool, for responsiveness, relevance, receptivity, recognition and relationship, to aid its execution and implementation of clients’ briefs. APCON’s high-speed solutions route the right network traffic to monitoring, performance, and security tools for analysis to help identify threats and safeguard network operations.
For encouraging responsible and ethical advertising practice, acting as the conscience of society and watchdog for the consumers; whilst managing the needs and interests of the stakeholders in Nigeria’s advertising Industry, ARCON is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Regulatory Agency of The Year.
- HON. MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA
Speaker of The Year
Proudly representing the good people of Agege Constituency 01, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa’s political career began at the dawn of the 4th Republic when he successfully won election into Agege Local Government Legislative Council as a Councillor in Ward E and where he served as Deputy Leader. Building on his political achievements and experience, in Year 2003 at the age of 31, Obasa contested and convincingly won election to the 5th Assembly of the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to represent Agege Constituency 1.
A vibrant, thorough and reliable legislator and a darling to the people of Agege, Obasa had no problem renewing his mandate for a five-time record in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. At the inauguration of the 8th Legislative Assembly the straightforward, ever-smiling and generous Obasa was unanimously elected as the 7th speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. During the period as speaker, he brought the many years of his political ingenuity and legislative experience to the fore, thus, ushering in an era of remarkable innovation, historical development and quality representation.
Amongst these, he initiated the first ever annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meetings which are held simultaneously across all constituencies in the State to engender deeper constituency engagement between legislators and their constituents down to the grassroots for better development. The reports of these meetings have fueled a number of major policies and infrastructural developments across the State since 2015. Other areas include infrastructural development in the House with cutting edge technology, active presence of the House on various social media platforms including live streaming of its plenary sessions with vital information and public education on its website.
Under his leadership, the Lagos State House of Assembly has continued to build sterling reputation for best practices in legislation and representation. Its laws, resolutions and activities have continued to inspire many including students, politicians, legislative and government institutions in the country and beyond. On June 7, 2019, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Obasa was re-elected Speaker of the Lagos State 9th Assembly.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions towards the development of democratic processes, via lawmaking, in Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general, Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Speaker of The Year.
PRINCE IDRIS BALOGUN
Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Real Estate
Prince Idris Balogun, a crowned prince of Isheri Kingdom, Lagos State, is a businessman who began from the scratch and made a huge success of his purpose.
A real estate big player, surface miner, hotelier and a dredger, Prince Idris Balogun’s real estate firm, Oluomo Integrated Services, is not only offering affordable housing units to the public, but also generating employment opportunities for young individuals. It’s worth mentioning that the company has garnered recognition from prominent figures in the real estate industry. He is a developer who offers real estate consultancy services through his company, which is one of the fastest-growing real estate firms in Lagos State and beyond.
Prince Idris Balogun also consistently applies his business success principles to bear on his Alimosho constituents by enabling power, ability and critical awareness to take actions that create change in the political system.
Thus far, Prince Idris Balogun has set the ball rolling to grade 500 roads to complement the ongoing laudable effort of the state government in the area of roads rehabilitation and reconstruction within Alimosho.
For his track record of outstanding resourcefulness, exemplary service delivery, and leadership dexterity, especially in Nigeria’s real estate industry, Prince Idris Balogun is hereby honoured with Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Real Estate.
Hon. Adekunle Soname
Sports Personality of The Year
Hon. Adekunle Soname is a distinguished alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University and Lagos State University, who has achieved significant success as a public servant having served two terms as a Local Government Chairman in Lagos State, Sports Administrator, and Entrepreneur, he is an accomplished, exceptional leader who has made notable contributions to the development of youth through grassroots football within and beyond the shores of Africa.
As the Founder/Chairman of Beyond Limits Football Academy, Hon. Kunle Soname has invested significantly in the training and development of young indigenous talents, preparing them for international opportunities. His efforts have been lauded globally, as evidenced by the success of the indigenous football club he established in 2010 – Remo Stars and his successful leadership as the President/Chairman of Clube Deportivo Firense, Portugal.
In 2010, Hon. Kunle Soname set up Remo Stars targeted at scouting and developing homegrown talents from the Founder’s immediate demography (“Remo” and environs) to redirect the energies of the youth towards football which has proven to be a veritable tool for curbing crime and related offences.
In his capacity as the President/Chairman of Clube Deportivo Feirense, Portugal, he promoted the club from 2nd division to 1st division and has ensured it has remained in the Premier League for 3 consecutive seasons. Hon. Kunle Soname’s passion for sports administration is evident from his extensive experience in the Nigerian National Football League, where he served as the Marketing Chairman from 2010 to 2014. Additionally, he is the Patron of the Nigerian Para-Table Tennis Club, where he has played an instrumental role in promoting the growth of the sport. Currently, as a member of the Interim Management Committee of the Nigeria Premier League appointed by the Honorable Minister of Sports, Hon. Kunle Soname continues to bring his wealth of experience and expertise to bear in driving the development of Nigerian football.
For his exemplary track record of success and commitment to excellence in growing the Nigerian sports landscape, Hon. Adekunle Soname is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2023 Sports Personality of The Year.
