January, 27 2023.
The concept holder of the 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Hon. Bukola Olopade has been described as a colossal blessing to Sports in Africa as a continent, and in particular, Nigeria as a country.
This assertion was made by a legal practitioner, Barrister Philip Akufe, who also made references to the verifiable long Lists of projects and initiatives of Hon. Olapade successfully accomplished while he served as a Commissioner for Sports Development,
in the Government of Ogun State and later, for six years.
Barrister Akufe noted that during his time in the Ogun State government, from 2005 - 2011, he did a lot to help market reputable sports franchises to prospective sponsors and partners, including the 2006 Gateway Games, hosted in Abeokuta, Shagamu and Ikenne.
As Legal Adviser to the then Kaduna State Sports Council, the legal luminary rated the 2006 Sports Festival, which he attended in person, as top notch, and one of the all-round best till date.
"Since then (2006), I have been endeared to him, and has followed his progress".
He also pointed at Hon. Olapade's place in history as the architect that concieved and profitably executed the sponsorship drive of the NFF, during the tenure of Amaju Pinnick's administration, when he brought Stanbic IBTC and other corporate partners to invest in Nigerian football, as sponsors.
In a dynamic fashion, he replicated this feat by successfully spare heading the drive for funds, for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, which has steadily progressed and has now received the World Athletics certification, as a Gold-Label rating.
With the 8th edition of the elite marathon fast approaching, Barrister Akufe said he is gratified, but by no means surprised as to the tons of achievements listed in his scorecard both in the public service and in the private sector.
"I'm not surprised of what he has done, the marathon race which started as a novel concept, has grown astronomically to become a global brand, where athletes all over the world look forward to race in Lagos, every year.
"The benefits of such a race are huge, unprecedented and far reaching. For many of the runners, who are Nigerians, it is a rare privilege to race in an elite race, and score points that would help expose them to limelight or get discovered, while others get rewarded with cash", he further posited.
He also made reference to Hon. Olapade venture into football, where he once owned Nilayo Football Club, a team that campaigned in the nation's second tier league, the Nigeria National League (NNL) as at two seasons ago. www.ckdmedia.ng reports.
Ironically, Barrister Akufe concluded by saying he is not an acquaintance of Hon. Olapade, a man he admires so much, because of his uncommon passion for Nigerian Sports.