Stakeholders hail Ikpeme’s book on sports development

A book titled Perspectives on Sports Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Ways Forward, written by an astute sports administrator, Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme, was launched on Thursday, June 18, in Abuja. The public presentation at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, was attended by former Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, […]

A book titled Perspectives on Sports Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Ways Forward, written by an astute sports administrator, Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme, was launched on Thursday, June 18, in Abuja.

The public presentation at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, was attended by former Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Shehu Dikko and former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, former Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, and a host of other dignitaries.

In their separate tributes, they unanimously described the book as a timely blueprint for the country’s sports administration.

Presenting the book, Ikpeme said it drew on decades of experience within Nigeria’s sporting ecosystem and a desire to offer practical solutions on governance, infrastructure, funding and athlete welfare.

“Sports remains one of Nigeria’s greatest assets for youth empowerment, national unity and economic growth,” Ikpeme said.

“This book is designed to encourage informed dialogue and practical action that will strengthen the sector for future generations.”

Enoh, the Minister of State for Investment who chaired the occasion, called the book an important intellectual contribution, saying it examined Nigerian sport with rigour.

“Dr Ikpeme’s book is both timely and important because it examines the sector with clarity, with experience and with intellectual discipline.

“I can attest to his competence, humility, depth of knowledge and quiet commitment to the development of Nigerian sports,” he said.

On his part, Imoke rather than write a memoir, Ikpeme had chosen a policy-focused publication that could guide future administrators.

“I’ve never met anyone so committed and dedicated to sports,” he said.

“Many years from now, this book will remain a reference point, and I believe the government will continue to draw from it in addressing the challenges facing the industry.”

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko called the publication “a brilliant work” and said he had urged Ikpeme to add a chapter documenting reforms already under way, many of which he said mirrored the book’s recommendations.

“The restoration of the National Sports Commission is already reducing bureaucracy and making sports administration more professional,” Dikko said.

“That challenge identified by Dr Ikpeme is already being addressed.”

The book also drew commendations from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, former NSC Director-General Amos Adamu, former NFF General Secretary Musa Amadu, former Nigeria Premier Football League COO Salihu Abubakar, NFF Director of International Competitions Enebi Achor, former Super Eagles midfielder Femi Ajilore, among others.

Meanwhile, Tunde Olusunle, a former Kogi State governorship candidate and friend of Ikpeme for more than four decades, served as citation reader while Professor Olufemi Adegbesan of the University of Ibadan, reviewed the book and commended its contribution to sports scholarship.