Sports
Water FC, Family, Friends Celebrate Justice Galadima at 80, Hail Commitment to Peace, Human Development
By Joel Ajayi
The Founder and Chairman of Water FC of Abuja, Nureni Makanjuola, has lauded the club’s Grand Patron, retired Supreme Court Justice Suleiman Galadima, for his contributions to peace, human development and grassroots football.
Makanjuola described the octogenarian as a committed mentor whose passion for nurturing young talents extends beyond financial and moral support to personally attending local football matches across Abuja to encourage players and monitor their progress.
Justice Galadima, who clocked 80 on Saturday, was celebrated in Abuja by family members, friends, associates, well-wishers and members of the football community, who gathered to honour his life, achievements and contributions to society.
Members of Water FC were also present to celebrate their Grand Patron, expressing delight at his good health and continued interest in the development of young footballers.
Speaking at the celebration, Makanjuola said Justice Galadima had demonstrated an exceptional commitment to grassroots football by taking a personal interest in the activities of the club and the welfare of its players.
According to him, the retired jurist regularly attends local matches at different locations in Abuja, demonstrating his belief in football as a platform for discovering talents, empowering young people and promoting positive social development.
“He is not just a Grand Patron who stays far away. He attends our local matches at different locations in Abuja because he believes in Water FC and grassroots development,” Makanjuola said.
He added that Justice Galadima had consistently encouraged him to intensify efforts to empower disadvantaged youths through football, urging him to provide opportunities for young people to develop their talents and build meaningful futures.
Makanjuola said their discussions often centred on strengthening grassroots football, engaging young people constructively and using sports to steer them away from negative influences.
“He always encourages me to continue doing more for grassroots development. He tells me to do something useful to empower young boys and take them from the streets to football. He has always assured me of his support,” he said.
The MK 1 Sports International chairman described Justice Galadima as a father figure whose guidance, encouragement and personal commitment had continued to inspire him and other stakeholders working to advance grassroots football.
He also commended the celebrant for maintaining an active lifestyle and promoting physical fitness, noting that the octogenarian regularly exercised and encouraged those around him to prioritise their health.
Makanjuola said Justice Galadima’s lifestyle, mentorship and dedication to young people reflected the qualities of a leader whose influence transcended the courtroom and football field.
In his remarks, Justice Galadima expressed appreciation to his family, friends, associates, Water FC members and other well-wishers for celebrating his 80th birthday and recognising his contributions to society and football development.
The retired Supreme Court Justice said he was proud of his involvement in football development, particularly the opportunity to support young players, some of whom had gone on to represent Nigeria internationally.
He, however, expressed concern over the challenges confronting grassroots football clubs, lamenting the inadequate support available to organisations investing their resources in identifying, nurturing and developing young talents.
Justice Galadima called on football authorities and relevant government institutions to give greater attention to grassroots clubs by providing the necessary programmes, facilities and institutional support to sustain their activities.
He stressed that grassroots clubs remained essential to the future of Nigerian football, as they provide opportunities for young players to discover and develop their abilities before progressing to higher levels of the game.
The octogenarian warned that leaving grassroots clubs to shoulder the burden of talent development without adequate support could undermine efforts to discover and nurture future stars.
Despite the challenges, Justice Galadima expressed gratitude for the goodwill and recognition he received on his milestone birthday, saying the celebration had further strengthened his pride in the players and talents developed through grassroots football.
The celebration underscored Justice Galadima’s enduring relationship with Water FC and highlighted the importance of mentorship, peace, youth empowerment and sustained investment in grassroots sports as vital tools for human development and the emergence of future Nigerian football stars.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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