National Institute of Sports: Sen. Lalong Bags Fellowship Award at 9th Convocation
From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The National Institute for Sports Lagos has honoured former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Bako Lalong with the Fellowship of the Institute (FNIS) for his enormous contributions to sports development in Plateau State and Nigeria over the years.
At the 9th Convocation of the National Institute for Sports Lagos, Director General of the NIS Prof. Olawale Akanbi Moronkola said the Fellowship award was bestowed on Senator Lalong for his efforts to develop sports at all levels over the years.
He noted that Senator Lalong who was an active footballer during his youthful age, continued to support the game when he became Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and later Governor of the State.
He recalled how Senator Lalong took the Plateau United out of relegation and ensured it won the national football league twice as well as participated in continental competitions.
Lalong was also acknowledged for his role as Governor in developing other sports including golf, athletics among others where Plateau State contingent performed well in various competitions.
His passion for golf as well as the annual hosting of the Governor’s Golf Cup tournament which drew local and international players during his tenure as Governor of Plateau State was well commended.
The Director General said Senator Lalong has now decided to focus on grassroots sports development within his Constituency which has commenced with the sponsorship and hosting of local boxing and wrestling among others.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission Shehu Dikko who represented President Bola Tinubu congratulated Senator Lalong and other awardees for their support and contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
He said having worked closely with Senator Lalong during his term as Governor, he acknowledges the development of sports infrastructure and other actions that Senator Lalong took to make the State excell in sports.
He said the award of Fellowships by the National Institute for Sports is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reset, refocus, and relaunch the sports industry.
Dikko said the country has focused over the years on participation in sports competitions which is basically a consumption habit.
The new thinking according to him is to create a sports economy that is driven by desire production that identifies and natures talents from the grassroots level.
Responding on behalf of other awardees, Senator Lalong thanked the National Institute for Sports for the recognition and assured them that they will work together to move the sports industry to higher levels.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda in sports which saw him taking the bold step to move sports management back to the National Sports Commission under a capable hand, Shehu Dikko.
The Senator also pledged to use his position in the Red Chambers and the national assembly to ensure that sports are well funded.
Some of the Fellowshio awardees include:
• Hon. Kunle Soname (foremost sports philanthropis:, owner of sport clubs acadi nits iupporter of Nigerian sports and owner of Value, ats
• Mr. Allen Onyema (owner of Airpeace line, philanthropists and great supporter of sports in Nigeria)
• Dr. Rafiu Oladipo (founder of supports club, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control)
• Ms. Lucy Ejike (Special Olympics Gold Medalist)
• Dr. Danladi Bako OON (foremost ace broadcaster, creating morning ride, Mustersports on NTA, licensed first Radio Station as DG NBC))
• Dr. Awoture Eleyae – post-humour (First Principal of NIS)
Certificate of Recognition were given to
• CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniji – MFR (Comptroller General of Customs)
• Mrs Modele Sharafa-Yusuf (Media Icon)
