Sports

37 Years After FirstBank Unveils Sam Okwaraji, Secondary School Championship

Published

6 months ago

March 30, 2026

Joel Ajayi

In commemoration of 37 years of the enduring legacy of Sam Okwaraji, FirstBank has unveiled a nationwide secondary school football championship aimed at nurturing young talents and promoting grassroots sports development.

The FirstBank Sam Okwaraji U-16 Championship was officially launched in Abuja, marking a significant step toward sustaining the memory of the late Nigerian football icon while creating opportunities for the next generation of players.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, described the initiative as a strategic platform to discover and groom young footballers who can represent Nigeria at the U-17 World Cup.

Speaking during the unveiling at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Olopade noted that the championship, endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSC and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, has already attracted wide support from key stakeholders in the sports sector.

Organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation, the competition is designed to promote patriotism, education, and youth development through football, while immortalising the legacy of a national hero.

Born on May 19, 1964, Sam Okwaraji was not only an accomplished international footballer but also a lawyer with a master’s degree in international law. He tragically died on August 12, 1989, after collapsing during a World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos—an incident that has since become a defining moment in Nigeria’s football history.

Olopade commended Osita Izunaso for sustaining Okwaraji’s legacy through the foundation, noting that his story continues to inspire unity, patriotism, and sacrifice among young Nigerians.

“Okwaraji’s legacy transcends generations and remains a powerful symbol of national pride. This championship will impact millions of youths across the country,” he said.

He further highlighted reforms at the National Institute for Sports in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that sports is now being recognised as a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP under the RHINSE initiative.

Olopade also urged corporate organisations to emulate FirstBank’s commitment to grassroots sports development.

In his remarks, Izunaso described the championship as a strong developmental platform for young footballers nationwide, assuring that participating schools would receive full support, including logistics, accommodation, medical services, officiating, and security.

“Integrity is the foundation of this championship. We will ensure strict compliance with age verification and officiating standards,” he said, while calling on governments to invest in sports infrastructure and security.

Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria, Olusegun Alebiosu, who was represented by Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank Olayinka Ijabiyi, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to youth development through sports.

“This project aligns with our vision of nation-building. It will not only discover talents but also instil discipline and character in young athletes,” he stated.

Also speaking, President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, Olabisi Joseph, stressed the importance of combining academics with sports development.

“School sports must blend education with physical growth. The maiden edition will be held nationwide and will feature only boys,” she said.

The championship is expected to serve as a pipeline for future national team stars, ensuring that the spirit and sacrifice of Sam Okwaraji continue to inspire and shape Nigeria’s football future.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

21 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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