FIC Report (Oyo State) – Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde and his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke are expected to lead dignitaries including prominent sports personalities and Nigerian football legends in honoring the country’s former soccer star, Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye on his 70th birthday.
In a statement released in Ibadan by Boluwaji Ogunmola, the Media and Publicity secretary of the organising committee, today November 20th, the two states have decided to give a milestone celebration of the new age of Nigeria’s living football legend to reminisce Dr. Owolabi-Akinkoye’s remarkable contributions to Nigerian football.
According to the statement, the birthday celebration of the former 11CC and Green Eagles left-footer will feature a star-studded novelty match at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex on Friday, November 22, 2024.
The event, which promises to be memorable, will also bring back the lofty memories of the skills and sportsmanship of Nigeria’s football legends.
Some of the country’s legendary footballers including Chief Segun Odegbami, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju, Kadiri Ikhana, and Augustine Eguavoen will take to the field in a thrilling match between the Ex Internationals and Ibadan All Stars kicking off at 3 pm.
The second match will pitch his former club, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) against a team from his state of birth, Osun United at 4 pm.
Mr.Ogunmola stated that the two matches will highlight the exceptional talent and skills of Nigeria’s football legends.
The participation of Governor Makinde and his Osun State counterpart in the celebration, according to the statement, would underscore Owolabi’-Akinloye’s significant impact on Nigerian football, football excellence, and enduring legacy in his 70 years of life.
Other events lined up to mark the birthday celebration include a thanksgiving ceremony which holds on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Bolads Events Centre, New Garage, Akala-Express, Elewure Bus-stop, Ibadan, providing an opportunity for friends, family, and colleagues to pay tributes to the living legend of Nigerian football.
The birthday celebration is also aimed at uniting Nigerian football icons, friends, and families to celebrate Dr. Owolabi-Akinloye’s remarkable life, achievements and contributions to Nigerian
sports.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman House committee on Sports Hon Yusuf Adebisi, Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Honourable Wasilat Adegoke, Oyo FA Chairman,Oba James Odeniran, NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF board members, Ex- internationals as well as a sports promoter Engineer Dotun Sanusi and other members of the Nigerian Football fraternity, were listed among the dignitaries expected to grace the ceremony.
Signed
Moses Oyelade,
AD(I&PR),
FIC, Ibadan.
