Okpekpe race organiser hails Dikko as perfect fit for NSC role

Okpekpe race organiser hails Dikko as perfect fit for NSC role

Pamodzi Sports Marketing, organisers of the historic, Gold Label Okpekpe international 10km road race, has described the appointment of Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission the best in the history of Sports Administration in Nigeria since the late Dr. Isaac Akioye's era in the mid 1970s to the early 1980s.

Dr Akioye started the revolution that transformed Nigerian sports before the current plunge. He was the Director General of the then National Sports Commission from 1975 to 1981.

Mike Itemuagbor, one of the very few marketing gurus Nigeria has ever seen and Chief Executive Officer of Pamodzi Sports Marketing, believes President Bola Tinubu has not only scored very high marks with the return of the National Sports Commission, he has also been excellent with the appointment of Dikko as its Chairman.

'President Tinubu may have made the boldest move in recent years to revive the Sports sector and make it play its role as a development tool. Sports can be a game-changer for social and economic development.

'Sports foster community unity, promote healthy lifestyles, and create job opportunities. Sports also stimulate local economies through infrastructure development and create business opportunities through sponsorships and events. It can be a powerful tool for social change,' said Itemuagbor who started the revolution in road running events in Nigeria with the Okpekpe international 10km road race becoming the first, truly world class road race in Nigeria.

To achieve all these, a qualified individual should be head of the National Sports Commission which is the apex body responsible for regulating sports in Nigeria and Itemuagbor believes Dikko ticks all the boxes as the 'ideal sports administrator'.

'An ideal sports administrator balances leadership, strategy, and empathy. He's skilled in managing teams, understanding sports policies, and fostering a positive environment for athletes and staff.

'He must have the vision, strong communication, and adaptability to navigate the ever-changing sports landscape and Dikko fits the bill,' said Itemuagbor who reveals the new NSC helmsman has been specially prepared for this role.

'He has worked as second Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, was head of the League Management Company as well as worked and still working in various CAF and FIFA committees. He has attended several seminars and workshops on sports administration and marketing.

'He has the marketing skills that are crucial for a sports administrator. He has the skill to promote his team, events, and organization effectively and this includes understanding digital marketing, brand management, and audience engagement. Dikko is savvy with social media, sponsorships, and public relations.'

Itemuagbor believes the appointment of Dikko will help many sports promoters in Nigeria who may have been thinking of quitting following the toxic environment some past Sports Ministers have created and which has affected effective marketing.

He says he has been re-energized to continue with his pace-setting role in road running events in Nigeria, a role which has birthed two World Athletics Label road races and as many as 17 others recognized by the international governing body for the sport.

'The anticipated positive environment Dikko's appointment will create has renewed by determination to continue to lead as the prime promoter of a road running event, the Okpekpe international 10km road race which is the first in West Africa to have its race course measured by a World Athletics accredited course measurer.

'The race is also the first to be granted a label status in 2015, just eight years after World Athletics started classifying its road running events with world class status,' he added.

Doko rules Africa at 15th African Scrabble Championship in Kigali

...Becomes the youngest African champion at 24

Nigeria's scrabble enigma, Oluwatimilehin Doko has won the 15th edition of the African Scrabble Championship concluded in Kigali, Rwanda on the 27th of October .

The 24 year old pharmacist who graduated from the University of Lagos won the championship with 1 game to spare, to become the youngest winner of the prestigious title of 'African Scrabble King'

Oluwatimilehin Doko started his voyage to the zenith of African scrabble on Thursday at the Olympic Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda with a first round victory over Godwin Murungi of Uganda, 487-423. A 64 point margin win and he closed Day 1 with 7 wins from 8 games.

He began Day 2 with a 497-420 defeat at the hands of Tournament's 5th seed, Abdulmumin Jimoh and from then onward, Doko climbed to table 1 in round 13 and that is where he lodged through out the rest of the championship.

In round 31 were he clinched the diadem, the unique and talented wordsmith smashed Abdulmumin Jimoh with a winning margin of 152 points, it ended 574-422 with a game to spare, recording 24 wins and a huge 2082 cumulative points.

This is the 14th time a Nigerian is winning the championship, Oluwatimilehin Doko's school and club mate, Enoch Nwali won the competition two years ago in Lusaka, Zambia at the expense of another Nigerian Wellington Jighere.

Oluwatimilehin Doko, who was refused visa to USA last year to participate in the World Championship is also the current West African Scrabble Championship, King.

The CEO of Ultimate Scrabble Showdown Solutions Limited, Olatunde Oduwole, described the young Oluwatimilehin Doko as an enigma, a conquer, potentate and all these attributes makes him a complete scrabble player.

Doko, the contender at the maiden edition of the Ultimate Scrabble Showdown in Nigeria is currently the second highest ranked African player in the world at number 9 behind Enoch Nwali at number 6.

“Oluwatimilehin Doko is unique, talented, gifted and most of all very humble. He's passionate about the game of words, reads and studies a lot, he's friendly, always willing to learn. That's the mark of a true champion,” Oduwole stated.

“I'm very elated and excited with this massive achievement by Doko, it sends the right signal and message to young players and students that hard work, commitment and dedication coupled with divine blessings and favour will elevate you as well as reward you too,” Olatunde Oduwole, the multiple national champion added.