1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has described as the recent appointment of Bukola Olopade as director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC) as a masterstroke by the President Bola Tinubu administration. President Tinubu, on Thursday, appointed Olopade as the NSC director general a few weeks after picking Shehu Dikko as chairman of the Commission. The decision to pick Olopade, a Master Degree holder in Sports Management as the Director General of the Commission has sparked excitement across the nation.
Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Okowa described Tinubu’s choice of Olopade as top-tier selection, saying: “Now, we can sleep with our two eyes closed when it comes to planning and strategising for major sporting events. We now have a true sports technocrat, a thorough breed personality who understands what sports is all about. “In the past, whenever you table any matter before those managing our sports, you hardly get positive response because of their lack of knowledge about the sports industry.
Olopade has deep knowledge of football, athletics, basketball, swimming, wheelchair sports and the rest. I must commend Tinubu for this great research work,” Okowa, who is the immediate past chairman of Delta Sports Commission, said. Some track and field athletes, who spoke with The Guardian, described Olopade as an all-rounder due to his ability to work ‘wonders’ against all odds.
Olopade, who is the chief executive officer of Nilayo Sports Management, first entered the Nigerian sporting sphere as Commissioner for Sports in Ogun State under former Governor Gbenga Daniel. During his regime, Ogun State hosted the National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Gateway 2006.’ His managerial skill, coupled with good working relationship with people, both in private and public sector, has impacted in the organisation of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which has brought thousands of long distance runners to the country.
One athlete said: “I have been following the record of Bukola Olopade since 2006, and I can say he has a proven track record and expansive global network. I am sure his experience in managing multimillion-dollar budgets and assets will prove invaluable in his new role as the Director General of the National Sports Commission commission. He is equipped to transform the NSC into a shining beacon of excellence.
“For once, I salute President Tinubu for this monumental choice for Nigerian sports. I am sure the era of cut and nail in preparation for major championships may be over for our sports.”.
