Sports

Sports Guru Adesina Thumbs Up Ajimati’s Philanthropic Legacy On Birthday

Published

2 months ago

July 30, 2026

By Joel Ajayi

Renowned sports stakeholder and anti-corruption advocate, Alhaji Fatai Adesina, has paid glowing tribute to the Chairman of Bethel Impact Link Resources Limited, Sola Ajimati, describing him as an exceptional philanthropist whose unwavering commitment to uplifting the less privileged continues to transform lives across Nigeria.

In a goodwill message to mark Ajimati’s birthday, Adesina praised the business mogul for his consistent humanitarian interventions, particularly his support for widows, orphans, vulnerable persons and inmates in correctional centres.

According to him, Ajimati’s compassion and generosity have earned him admiration not only in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but across the country.

He noted that beyond building a successful business empire, Ajimati has devoted significant resources to improving the lives of the downtrodden, making him a shining example of selfless leadership and social responsibility.

Adesina commended Ajimati for his remarkable efforts in securing the release of inmates from correctional centres and supporting disadvantaged members of society, describing such interventions as a reflection of his deep commitment to humanity.

He recalled that only a few days ago, Ajimati visited the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, where he facilitated the release of several inmates as part of activities marking his birthday. He noted that a similar gesture was carried out last year at the Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State.

The sports administrator also applauded Ajimati’s passion for empowering young people, saying his investments in human capital and mentorship have inspired many emerging leaders and youth groups.

“True riches are not measured by material possessions but by the number of lives one has touched. By that standard, our chairman is truly wealthy,” Adesina said.

“He has remained a beacon of hope to hundreds of widows, orphans and vulnerable persons. His passion for nurturing young minds and creating opportunities for others is exceptional. Through his support, many have been empowered to build meaningful futures and contribute positively to society.”

Adesina further described Ajimati as a role model whose humility, resilience, integrity and generosity have continued to earn him widespread respect and admiration.

He said the celebrant’s belief in the potential of others and his readiness to extend a helping hand have left an enduring impact on countless individuals and communities.

“You’re one in a million. May your light never grow dim, and may Almighty God continue to strengthen you to remain a blessing to humanity,” he prayed.

“As you celebrate another year of life, I pray that God grants you sound health, long life, greater wisdom and more strength to continue your outstanding service to humanity. Happy Birthday, sir.”

Adesina also acknowledged Ajimati’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy through his business ventures, noting that his leadership continues to create employment opportunities while complementing his humanitarian efforts aimed at building a more compassionate and inclusive society.

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Sports

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

Published

11 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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