Sports Centre Awareness Forum Honours NOC Scribe, Tunji Popoola, Yusuff Ali , Others

Members of the Sports Centre Awareness Forum and eminent personalities from far and near converged on Saturday, November , 29, 2025 at the Lagos Business Club, Ikeja for the fifth Annual Lecture and Award nite of the Group.

The Group, led by Ace Sports Journalist and event planner, Tayo Adeyemo, on the occasion, honoured individuals with excellent track records and lasting legacies in their choosen fields with meritorious awards.

Personalities bestowed with different awards included the Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, Former Team Nigeria Captain, Yusuff Ali, Chairman, Lagos State Task Force, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, Mr Biola Abiodun Niniola and Medical Expert, Professor, Ajibola Jeje, the guest lecturer at the occasion.

Members recognized with awards for their outstanding contributions to the growth of the group were versatile journalist, Adaku Onyenucheya of Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Akani Adetunji, Alhaja Jumoke Ayanpitan and Adedibu Amzat among others.

In his remarks, Lead Administrator, Sports Centre Awareness Forum, Tayo Adeyemo, explained that part of the aim of the group is to develop and impact Nigeria through sports.

He noted that the group will not deviate from the path but will continue to engage relevant authorities and concerned stakeholders to achieve the set goals.

“This is the fifth in the series, every year, we give a lecture as well as give awards to our members, just like what you have seen today.We believe that we need to appreciate our members for their services and support to the association”.

“This group was formed on July 1, 2018 and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). We have sports journalists, sports administrators and Ex-governors as members.
We have members virtually in all states of Nigeria and globally”.

“In the future, we intend to do more, we intend to impact Nigeria through sports.
In the past, we have written letters to those in authority about our observation on how Nigeria’s sports can be better. We’ re still engaging them in a bid to improve Nigeria’s sports because our passion and main objective is sports and nothing but sports, and we cannot deviate from that”

Speaking shortly after receiving his award , Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tunde Popoola, expressed delight in the award bestowed on him by the group which he described as his family.

“I don’t really know what to say, but I think it’s one of those awards that you get that you’re proud for being recognized while alive.
“I’m so happy, the award is in sports, my own area of competence, It’s something good to be recognized by your own colleagues in the same environment”

“The event is well-structured, well-organized, and we couldn’t ask for more. May be , next year, what we’ll expect is that our members should be able to come out more powerfully, so that, it’s much more nationalistic”

Earlier, the guest lecturer , Professor Ajibola Jeje , who spoke on the topic “Prostrate Disease, a Family Burden” called on individuals to take their health seriously by undergoing regular medical checkups, and also understand their family medical history.

Prof Ajibola noted that many ageing -related diseases such as prostate issues in men and breast or cervical cancer in women are becoming epidemic globally.

He warned that unhealthy habits, including excessive intake of alcohol and cigarettes continue to endanger the human system and organs.

The expert highlighted that prostate enlargement and prostate cancer occur more frequently and at earlier ages among black men, stressing that the disease is curable if dictated at the early stage and treated accordingly.

He equally emphasized the importance of early detection through PSA tests and digital rectal examinations and cautioned that medications used to treat prostate conditions may affect sexual performance, making it essential for couples to participate in treatment decisions.

“The determinants of human health status include age, gender, occupation, inheritance or family history, social habits and occupation hazards.

“It is important people take responsibility for their health, follow medical guidelines carefully, and consult qualified professionals and not quacks.

“The major thing is that people should have regular medical checkup. It’s the most important thing to get yourself in a good health status in which you can continue to enjoy the fruit of your labour”.

Highlight of the event included the investiture of Professor Ajibola Jeje.