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Bukola Olopade Bags Ogun State SWAN’s Award

Published

5 years ago

January 22, 2021

Bayo Adegboyega

Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Hon. Bukola Olopade has won the Trailblazer Award for his giant stride in ensuring that Ogun State becomes a hub for road races.

Hon. Olopade who is a former sports commissioner in the gateway state with the support of the state government and notable corporate bodies introduced the Abeokuta 10 KM Road race as well as the ValueJet Remo Ultra Race in 2019, the first time in the history of the state that road races will take centre stage.

The Award is an initiative of Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria, SWAN, Ogun State chapter as part of activities marking its SWAN week for the year 2020 where other notable individuals like veteran Sports Journalist and coordinator, MAPOLY Radio, Deacon Kunle Oluwusi who bagged the Role Model in Sports Journalism award, Ogun State-born team Nigeria Paralympian who is expected to represent the country as a Para Table Tennis Player at the Tokyo 2022 event, Isau Ogunkunle, Chairman of First August construction company Engineer Mutiu Adebowale, sports Administrator Prince Tunji Onatolu among others were also honoured.

Honourable Olopade’s award was presented to him in Abeokuta on Thursday by the Chairman of Ogun SWAN, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde.

On the part of Ogun SWAN Chairman, he said “No doubt, this is an award that comes without any controversy as it is purely on merit, the road races were first of its kind and they didn’t go unnoticed”

In his own remark, Honourable Olopade appreciated Ogun SWAN for the recognition, he added that the award is a call to service to get better in all spheres.

“Firstly, I appreciate Ogun SWAN, not only for the award, but for always putting everyone on their toes to ensure that the development of sports in the state is a continuum”

“At Nilayo Sports Management Limited, we will always ensure what comes out from our team comes with quality and we aim to get better Subsequently as there is always a room for improvement”.

The Great Abeokuta 10 KM Road race and the ValueJet Remo Ultra Race did not hold in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two events have however been scheduled to return in 2021.

The second edition of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race which is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and World Athletics (WA) is scheduled for November 13, 2021, while the ValueJet IAU African Championship (Remo Ultra Race) will come up on December 4, 2020

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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