28/10/2025
Charles Himah Showers Praises on NSC DG Bukola Olopade for Outstanding Performance in One Year
Former Nigerian athletes' representative and one-time personal assistant to the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, Charles Imah, has lavished praise on the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, commending his remarkable achievements within just one year in office.
In his words, Imah described as “the best ever Commissioner of Sports in Nigeria’s history.”
“Hon. Bukola Olopade. I tagged him the Best Ever Commissioner of Sports in Nigeria History. During the preparations for the Gateway Games 2006 when he was Commissioner, he camped athletes across all sports for over 11 months, almost a year. We initially thought it was because Ogun State was hosting the National Sports Festival, but he did it again ahead of KADA Games 2009, camping athletes for 16 long months (one year and four months). That’s a record, and I believe only him can repeat such at the national level,” Imah recalled.
According to Himah, Olopade transformed Ogun State sports and its athletes “from zeroes to heroes.”
“He built stadiums across the geo-political regions of the state and provided unbeatable support for every sport. Under his watch, Ogun State became a powerhouse in athletics,” he said.
Himah highlighted the state’s impressive records, noting that Ogun athletes still hold several National Sports Festival relay records to this day.
“In the women’s 4x100m, the quartet of Yemi Dairo, Gloria Bassey, Jasper Adekunle, and Agnes Osasuwa smashed the Games record and later dominated the National Relays Series, even though only one of them made the 100m final individually.
"For the men’s 4x100m, Christopher Uwaeze, Sunday Adejo, Henry Azike, and Hammed Akinlawon also set a Games record. That same year, Akinlawon went on to beat Ghana’s Abdul Aziz Zakari in the 200m, while Susan Akene shocked everyone by defeating Endurance Ojokolo in the heats of the National Trials. I also won the National Decathlon title back-to-back during that period,” he recounted.
Himah also credited Olopade’s grassroots development programs for unearthing talents such as Tobi Amusan, who today stands as Nigeria’s only World Record holder.
“His grassroots initiative in Ogun State produced the likes of Tobi Amusan. OzoBaba is a man who gives opportunities to those who know their craft,” he noted.
He further commended Olopade’s leadership style and his trust in capable hands, citing examples such as Yusuf Alli, whose appointment has helped grow road racing in Nigeria, Olympic gold medalist Enefiok Udo-Obong, served as head of Technical at the CAA U18 and U20 Championships, and Olympic gold medalist Fidelis Tafida Gadzama, who successfully headed the Games’ security operations.
“You can see the positive results of his leadership everywhere. The peace and organization under his guidance ,” Imah added.
Himah urged patience in evaluating Olopade’s current tenure at the NSC, expressing optimism that greater accomplishments lie ahead.
