NIS set for 9th convocation / 50th anniversary celebration

All arrangement has been concluded by the National Institute For Sports ( NIS) to organize a memorable 9th convocation/50th anniversary of the foremost sports institution in the country which is slated for Thursday, January, 30, 2025 at the Gymnasium Hall of the Institute

Disclosing this in a Press Conference to herald the event, Director General of the Institute, Prof. Olawale Akanbi Moronkola stated that 50 years is special in the history of any institution, hence it is worthy to roll out the drums and celebrate the Institution’ s achievements, reflect on challenges and chart the way forward to attain the highest standards for the only Institution’ saddled with the production of coaches and sports managers in the country.

According to him, over the years, the NIS has made giant strides in producing over 10,000 coaches and Sports Managers/Administrators who have proven their worth throughout the world.

” NIS products are predominantly found in the National, State, Local Government and Club levels. Many of them are also found in the ECOWAS sub-region and other parts of Africa.

” We are proud of the exploits of our products like the Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, Victor Ogunmodede, Fidelix Ilechukwu, Garba Manu, Ladan Bosso, Moses Kpakor , first Nigerian Olympic Gold medalist, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chioma Ajunwa ( rtd) and Eucharia Uche former coach of Super Falcons that won the African Women Nations Cup in 2019 in South Africa “, he said.

On his achievements since assumption of office, Prof. Moronkola explained that since the inception of the current administration, the National Board For Technical Education ( NBTE) has approved three National Diploma programmes including Paramedics Technology, describing it as an opportunity to develop new curriculum that will attract more students to the Institute.

” We shall continue to place high premium on hard work and excellence in all our activities. In the past two years, we have upgraded our facilities and services such as expansion of the Library, provision of lecture rooms, rehabilitated our football pitch and courts , refurbished our laboratories and clinic as well as embarked on construction of new hostel.

” Apart from these, we’ve also rehabilitated the multi- purpose gymnasium and fitness gymnasium, rejoined Research Institute Games, improved the capacity of staff through in- house and attendance of external training courses as well as partnered with the Lagos State Football Association in training about 300 grassroots football coaches amongst other achievements.

The Director General further stated that in line with the practice in tertiary institutions, the NIS has introduced inaugural lecture series, established new departments, built new Human and capital development capacities and introduced conferment of Fellowship on deserving Nigerians, noting that with more funding from government and support from philanthropic Nigerians, the Institute will break new grounds.

Meanwhile, activities for the convocation/ anniversary celebration kicked off in Monday, January, 27 with a football match while there will be health walk on Tuesday January, 28 which will start from the National Stadium to Ojuelegba back to the National Stadium.
There will be a Pre- Convocation lecture on Wednesday, January, 29 to be delivered by Prof. Raimi Abiodun Moronfolu of the Lagos State University followed by a Dinner on the same day which will be strictly by invitation with the convocation holding on Thursday, 30th January.

Highlight of the convocation will be the induction of some former students into NIS Hall of fame, the naming of the Institute’s Conference Hall after the Pioneer Principal, Dr. Awoture Eleyae and the award of fellowship to six eminent Nigerians including Senator Simon Bako Lalong, President of Remo Stars FC, Honourable Kunle Soname, Managing Director/CEO of Peace Airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, President General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, Paralympian Ms. Lucy Ejike and ace broadcaster, Danladi Bako (OON).