BY LANRE AGIRI
The Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control under the leadership of Hon. Gbenga Opaleye has congratulated Dr. Rafiu Ladipo who has been chosen as one of the recipient of a fellowship award from the National Institute for Sports (NIS), saying the award is a worthy reward in recognition of his contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
Opaleye, in a congratulatory statement issued and made available to the sporting press, described Dr. Ladipo as a worthy recipient of Nigeria’s national honour considering his numerous efforts and contributions to the development of sports in the country over many decades.
“For our President in the NBBofC, the honour is indeed a reward for what he has given to Nigeria and Nigerians and is still giving. It is a deserving honour for a true Nigerian whose life is a classic example of the Nigerian spirit of resilience, doggedness, and diligence,” Opaleye noted.
“Dr. Rafiu Ladipo contributed to the development of sports in Nigeria by presiding over the Nigeria Supporters Club. The club helped to change the country’s image, and in the last four to five years, the NBBofC board has raised the standard of boxing in Nigeria with many promoters organising fights on a regular basis, which was not the case in the past,” he added.
Other recipients of the NIS fellowship award holding on Thursday at the NIS Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos include a Nigerian Paralympics powerlifter, Ms. Lucy Ejike, and a former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr. Danladi Bako-OON.
