Sports
“Establishing Football Club Reflects Dare’s Undying Character as a Sportsman” – Adepoju Applauds
Joel Ajayi
Former Super Eagles captain, Mutiu Adepoju has commended Chief Sunday Dare’s passion for sports development in Nigeria, as he applauded the establishment of Black Scorpion FC, a brain child of Dare.
Adepoju, a former national team captain, lauded Dare’s commitment to sports, stating, “Dare has shown tremendous passion for sports in Nigeria. It is understood that he did a lot when he was the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, but his continuous passion for sports development till date means he has an undying love for sports. Owning a football club is a capital-intensive venture, and he is doing it.”
Black Scorpion FC already boasts a strong foundation in terms of structure and organization. With a dedicated camp, a coaster bus, and well-produced sets of jerseys and training kits, the club demonstrates professionalism, a quality emblematic of Dare’s leadership ethos, according to Adepoju.
Dare’s investments in sports infrastructure have earned him widespread acclaim. From remodeling the table tennis arena to facilitating upgrades for basketball and volleyball courts, as well as investing in the roofing of the Soun stadium, Dare’s initiatives have significantly elevated sporting facilities across the region. This proactive approach to sports development sets a precedent for leadership by example and marks a significant victory for Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole.
The unveiling ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, who served as the special guest of honour.
Other dignitaries included Nigeria ex-internationals and football stakeholders, such as Olademeji Lawal, former chairman of Kwara United, Henry George, and Oladunni Oyekale, former coach of the Flying Eagles, amongst others.
The establishment of Black Scorpion FC signifies another milestone in Dare’s enduring commitment to uplifting communities and fostering sports development in Nigeria. The club is poised to make its mark in the Nationwide League One, with their debut match scheduled for this weekend.
Sports
NLO’s Shola Ogunowo Earns Praise for Driving Grassroots Football and Exemplifying Integrity
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian football community has lauded Mr. Shola Ogunowo, Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One (NLO), for his unwavering commitment to integrity and the development of grassroots football, earning him widespread respect and admiration across the sporting landscape.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by Okechukwu Okebugwu, Mr. Ogunowo was praised as a transformative leader who has redefined the ethics and standards of football administration at the grassroots level. According to the release, Ogunowo has emerged as a “leading figure in the fight against match-fixing, bribery, and all forms of corruption” that have plagued the lower tiers of Nigerian football for decades.
Through consistent enforcement of transparency, fairness, and accountability, Mr. Ogunowo is steering the NLO toward becoming a credible platform where talent can be discovered and nurtured based on merit, rather than manipulation or favoritism.
“In an environment where shortcuts and compromises are all too common, Shola Ogunowo has remained a pillar of integrity,” Okebugwu stated. “He is restoring credibility to grassroots football by ensuring that fair play, discipline, and professionalism are non-negotiable.”
Since taking over as COO, Ogunowo has spearheaded a number of structural reforms aimed at instilling discipline and operational excellence among participating clubs. These include stricter licensing requirements, performance audits, and compliance monitoring to ensure clubs uphold the league’s code of conduct. His administration has also emphasized youth development, with a renewed focus on coaching education and player welfare.
The result is a reinvigorated Nationwide League One that is beginning to attract renewed attention from fans, corporate sponsors, and local communities. Observers say Ogunowo’s leadership is helping reshape perceptions of grassroots football—not just as a stepping stone to the elite leagues, but as a vital foundation for the future of Nigerian football.
“His leadership is not only impacting the pitch—it’s rebuilding trust, creating real value, and setting a good standard for sports administration in Nigeria,” Okebugwu concluded.
As the NLO season progresses, many stakeholders believe that with figures like Shola Ogunowo at the helm, the future of grassroots football in Nigeria is not only secure, but promising.
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