Oyebode Earns National Sports Leadership Award, Cited for Grassroots Support in Ekiti
Akintunde Oyebode, Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, has been named winner of the 2025 Innovative Sports Leadership Award by the Nigeria Sports Achievers Awards.
According to the organizers, Oyebode was selected based on his active involvement in grassroots sports and sustained support for state-level sporting initiatives.
“He has shown commitment beyond finance,” said Gbenga Adeleye, a member of the awards organizing team and a sports journalist. “We considered documented contributions, field engagements, and feedback from stakeholders in the sport sector — and Mr. Oyebode stood out for his influence on grassroots development and infrastructure support.”
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, during the groundbreaking of the Ekiti Indoor Sports Hall in 2024 and a separate inspection of ongoing works at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in early 2025, publicly acknowledged Oyebode’s influence in the government’s sports agenda.
“Oyebode is one of those who keep reminding me that sports can change lives,” the governor said during the stadium visit. “His push has helped drive some of our biggest investments in infrastructure and youth-focused initiatives.”
The state has embarked on major renovations at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium and is building a new indoor sports facility to widen access to sports training and competitions.
Technical Adviser on Sports Development, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, also praised Oyebode’s behind-the-scenes role in pushing for sports development.
“He is not just a commissioner of finance; he is a backbone to many of our projects,” Osetoba told SPORTIVE. “From the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup to the cricket development efforts, his support has been strategic and consistent.”
Oyebode chairs the Ekiti State Cricket Association and is the financier of the Prof. Akin Oyebode Cup, one of the most prominent grassroots football tournaments in the state. He also visited Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, inspecting the renovation and advising on how to make the stadium a source of fund for the state sport. He promised to donate an air conditioner to the health facility in the stadium which was facilitated by Red Cross.
The Nigeria Sports Achievers Awards, now in its 8th edition, is recognized for honoring individuals who have significantly impacted sports development across the country. Organizers say recipients are chosen based on verifiable records, not political affiliations.
Oyebode’s selection, according to organizers and key state officials, reflects his visible role in supporting grassroots sports and youth empowerment through state-backed and private initiatives.
Post Comment