There was widespread jubilation as the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, confirmed the appointment of Mrs Nene Ogunleye as the substantive General Manager of the Ondo State Development and Property Corporation (OSDPC).

Mrs Ogunleye’s confirmation, after serving for seven months in an acting capacity, makes her the first female General Manager of the corporation.

Ogunleye began her career at the corporation as a corps member in 1999. She was named Best Corps Member during the administration of the late Ondo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, an achievement that earned her automatic employment.

Speaking with Newsmen, in Akure the state capital, Mrs. Ogunleye said she would pursue an inclusive style of administration.

“I have always been a team player, right from my days as Director of Finance and Administration. As General Manager, I will strive to achieve even more by bringing out the best in staff and carrying everyone along in the administration of the corporation,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for considering her worthy of the appointment as the substantive accounting officer of the corporation.

“I also appreciate the number one civil servant in the state, Mr. Bayo Philip, for his role in my appointment. I promise to be even more diligent in the discharge of my duties,” she added.

Ogunleye noted that she rose through the ranks from corps member to General Manager.

“Without sounding immodest, I have served Ondo State wholeheartedly and was honoured as the best corps member, which earned me automatic employment,” she said.

She thanked both junior and senior management staff for their support, noting the excitement surrounding her elevation from Director of Finance and Administration to General Manager.

“I urge all staff to demonstrate greater commitment and diligence in their respective departments for the development of the corporation,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the staff, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Seun Komolafe, described her confirmation as historic, being the first female appointment to the position.

He said her appointment was a case of a round peg in a round hole.

“I thank the Ondo State Government and the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, for appointing an experienced administrator as the substantive General Manager of the corporation.
“We are delighted to see her rise to this position.

She understands the intricacies of the corporation’s operations, and we are optimistic that she will exceed expectations.

“We monitored her performance during her tenure as Acting General Manager, and she carried everyone along in the administration of the corporation.

Her experience will, in no small measure, help take the corporation to the next level,” he said.

In a bid to advance sports development through technology, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Sports, Hon. Kehinde Akinrotoye (popularly known as Bonsue), on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Hon. Tomide Akinribido.

The meeting between the two indigenes of Ekimogun focused on the growing impact of technology on the sports sector, particularly the role of innovations such as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which has become a major decision-making tool in football and other sports.

Hon. Akinrotoye, a former Coordinator of the Rising Stars and now SSA on Sports to the Ondo State Governor, urged the SITA Chairman to leverage his ICT expertise to support the growth and development of sports in the state.

According to him, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become central to global development, noting that no sector can thrive without embracing technology.

“ICT has taken over virtually all sectors worldwide. On this note, we are seeking your support in advancing and developing sports in Ondo State,” he said.

Responding, the Chairman of SITA and former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ondo West Constituency I, Hon. Tomide Akinribido, commended Hon. Akinrotoye for the visit.

He stated that his appointment by the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was aimed at contributing meaningfully to the development of the state across all sectors.

“My office is ready to partner with the sports sector in the overall interest of Ondo State,” Akinribido said.

He further assured that SITA would collaborate with the office of the SSA on Sports to restore the lost glory of sports in the state through the effective deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

E- Signed

Hon kinrotoye Kehinde Bonsue
SSA To Ondo state Governor On sports
20th January 2026

The Ondo State Football Association Chairman, Otunba Dele Ajayi, has hailed the launch of the Club Owners Association in the state as a groundbreaking and timely step for football development.

Ajayi, represented by board member Chief Ibukun Aladetoyinbo, spoke during the inauguration of the association’s state executives, local government coordinators, Board of Trustees, patron, and the unveiling of its official logo.

He emphasized that the Club Owners Association plays a vital role in football growth at all levels, noting that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of developing the sport.

According to him, “Club Owners Association is a very important integral part of football. We recognise them at the local government, state, and national levels. Government cannot do it alone, so we need both private organisations and individuals to join hands with government to develop the round leather game.”

Ajayi commended stakeholders for establishing the body in Ondo State and assured them of the FA’s full cooperation.

State Chairman of the Club Owners Association, Banjo Adepoju, stated that the association was formed to make meaningful contributions to football advancement in the state. He added that a four-year strategic growth plan has already been designed.

He further praised the merit-based selection of local government coordinators, expressing confidence that they would accelerate grassroots football development.

Board of Trustees includes;FIFA-licensed agent and Moyero FC proprietor, Lanre Moyero, was inaugurated as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with Otunba Dele Ologbese as Vice Chairman. Other members include Barrister Olusola Oke, Chief Albert Akintoye, Elvis Ogebe, Prince Odomode Adeyemi (Lacrown), FIFA-licensed agent Prince Yemi Olagbegi, Mrs. Kikelomo Adepona, Michael Karimu, and Banjo Adepoju (Secretary).
Patrons include Otunba Dele Ajayi, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, and Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, Divine Ogbonaya.

State Executive Officers are; Chairman: Adepoju Banjo (CEO, Benfad FC, Akure), Vice Chairman 1: Alhaji Oladosu Muyideen (President, Opeyemi FC, Odigbo), Vice Chairman 2: Oladipupo Temitayo (Chairman, Emalex FC, Owo), General Secretary: Omoogun Dotun Andrew (Ologbese Football Academy, Akoko Southwest), Assistant Secretary: Blessing Perez (President/Technical Director, Royal Goldwin, Ifedore), Financial Secretary: Akungbe Emmanuel (Apoi National FC, Ese-Odo), Treasurer: Jephthah Akinboboye (FC Unity, Ondo City), PRO: Musa Kehinde (President, Brave Eagles FC, Akure North), Welfare Officer: Gbenga Adeusi (Abex Abex FC, Akoko Northwest), Chief Whip: Mathew Okoh (President, Ebile FC, Akure South),Research/Organising Officer: Sedara Phillip (Embavic Football Academy, Okitipupa)

Speaking at the event, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu encouraged the executives to create a sustainable structure capable of attracting investors, expressing optimism that the association will gain recognition beyond the state.

BOT Chairman, Lanre Moyero, described the formation of the association as historic, promising support particularly in player scouting and talent discovery.

The unveiling ceremony witnessed the presence of nearly all football club owners in the state, including representatives from Benfad FA, FJ Academy, Royal Godwin, Ijapo Ages Stars, Saint FC, Emalex FC Owo, Optimum Football Academy, Ologbese Football Academy, Weli Weli FC, Lacrown FC, Akure United, SOT FC, Idanre United, and many others.

As the 3rd edition of the Adu Unity Football Competition continues to gather momentum, eight teams have secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The qualified teams are Ijapo Ages Stars FC, United Army, Celecal FC, Velocity FC, Akure United, Idanre United, Olukayode FC, and Signature FC.

Ijapo Ages Stars and Celecal FC topped Groups A and B respectively with 13 points each, winning four matches and drawing one. Akure United and Olukayode FC led Groups C and D with 10 points apiece, after winning three games and drawing one.

The runners-up in each group were United Army (10 points), Velocity FC (8 points), Idanre United (7 points), and Signature FC (9 points).

The quarter-final matches are scheduled to kick off today at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, and are expected to showcase skill, passion, and football artistry to the delight of fans of the round leather game.

A total of twenty-three football clubs, drawn from the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, participated in the competition, which has now reached its knockout stage with eight teams battling for a semi-final berth.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Raymond Abdulsalam, commended all participating teams for their cooperation and sportsmanship, noting that the success recorded so far would not have been possible without their understanding.

Abdulsalam highlighted the significance of the competition, stating that its purpose is to discover budding football talents across the state and to contribute meaningfully to the development of sports in Ondo State.

He further noted that sports remain a powerful tool for youth engagement, unity, and crime prevention, adding that the LOC has identified several outstanding players who will be presented to the competition’s sponsor, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, in collaboration with scouting partners for further training and exposure.

“This ongoing 3rd edition of the Adu Unity Football Competition has once again confirmed that Ondo State is richly blessed with football talents,” Abdulsalam said. “We will continue to work with stakeholders to nurture these budding talents into future stars.”

..donates to families of late members

Nigerian boxing legend and a National Coach with the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Adura Olalehin, has visited Kano State on a condolence visit to the state government and families of the victims that killed 22 members of the state contingent returning after the National Sports Festival.

Olalehin at the office of the
Deputy Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, commiserated with the people of Kano State over the incident, saying, “This is not a good time for the state of Kano. I believe by the grace of God will not allow such a thing to happen again,”.

He said the whole Nigerian Boxing Federation under General Minima were saddened by the incident and the impact of the accident on the hugely successful outing (Festival) in Ogun State.

Olalehin also visited the families of the deceased and injured contingents and donated to each family with cash support of ₦200,000, shared in their grief and prayed that the family have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

”These are trying times for everyone in Kano and Nigeria at large, but what can we do? God giveth, and He taketh; we prayed that Allah be with you in these trying times,” he said.

Deputy Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, appreciated the delegation for the visit and prayed that God grant them a safe journey to their respective states.
In Adura’s delegation are; Head Coach, Ondo State Boxing Association, Moses Osifor, his counterpart, Coach Alice from Nasaarawa and Coach Olopade From Abuja.

….Lament dwindling fortunes of sports,calls for Sunshine Stars’ last five matches probed

Football stakeholders in Ondo State have given Ondo State Government one year ultimatum to return Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens to back the premier League.

The stakeholders decried the relegation of both Sunshine Stars, Sunshine Queens, and the dwindling fortunes of other sports in the state.

At a media parley with Newsmen in Akure, the state capital, the stakeholders called on the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to set up a panel of enquiry to probe the last five matches played by Sunshine Stars.

Some of the stakeholders pledged to testify and provide evidence if such a panel is constituted.

The former Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Akinshola Akinbobola, flanked by the ex-Chairman of the Sunshine Stars Supporters Club, Mr. Oduyi Emmanuel, and a former player of Rising Stars, Mr. Udo Daniel, expressed pain over the relegation of Owena Whales, once considered the state’s heritage and pride to the lower league.

Akinbobola further lamented that other sports, including male basketball, male handball had also been relegated in their respective leagues.

“Since 2016, Sunshine Stars have been battling relegation season after season.

“Three seasons ago, when the current Governor was Deputy Governor, he called on me to assist in rescuing the team after they went 18 games without a win.

“By the grace of God and the involvement of key individuals, we were able to rescue the team from relegation,” he said.

The stakeholders unanimously gave the state government a one-year ultimatum to return the teams to their respective elite leagues, insisting that it is achievable with the appointment of technocrats to professionally manage the teams.

“Relegation to the lower league is not a sin, but our inability to rise quickly will be our greatest undoing.

“While we call for a probe into how we found ourselves in this situation, we are also calling on the government to set up a high-powered committee of football administrators within the state, with a mandate to return the teams to the premiership within a year.”

Citing Nasarawa United’s relegation in the 2022/23 season and their return to the elite league after just one season in the lower division, Akinbobola expressed optimism: “With the right people managing the team, I am confident Sunshine Stars will return within a year. This is not rocket science.”

He attributed the relegation of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens, as well as the general decline in sports, to the appointment of incompetent individuals by the government.

“There are people who should not be anywhere near the sporting arena, yet they were appointed to pilot the affairs of our teams,” he added.

“Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens used to be household names in Nigerian football.

“Sunshine Stars represented Nigeria twice at the continental level and reached the semi-finals.

“Sunshine Queens won the Federation Cup in 2015. Today, those same teams are nowhere to be found because mediocrity was placed above competence.

“They are now a shadow of their former selves.”

He continued, “There was a time Sunshine Stars ranked among the top four teams in Africa. Where is our pride? What went wrong? Is it poor funding?

“The appointment of the wrong people? Whatever the reason, we are calling on the government to redefine its approach to the sports sector.”

“The sports arena should not be a place for rewarding political loyalists who has no experience in football management.

“Sports is a big business, if properly invested in and managed by the right people.”

“This is not a blame game, but a clarion call to the government to do the needful by reviving what once brought joy to the people of the state.

“As football stakeholders who have significantly contributed to the development of sports in Ondo State, we cannot fold our arms and watch our beloved teams decline without speaking the truth.”

“The government should, as a matter of urgency, complete the renovation of the Akure stadium and improve other stadia across the state.”

“It is unheard of that Ondo State cannot boast of a befitting stadium.

There are no tracks for athletics, no equipment for other sports, yet we expect optimal performance.”

Both former Supporters Club Chairman Oduyi Emmanuel and Udo Daniel urged the current government to appoint indigenous football administrators to manage the teams for a swift return to the elite league.

According to Emmanuel, “I was chairman when Sunshine Stars played in continental competitions twice. I was also there when the female team won the Federation Cup.

“We are appealing to the government to reposition our sports sector so we can regain our lost glory,” he said.