The former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Bako Lalong has described the President General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo as a highly patriotic Nigerian who has devoted his time and resources in the support of Nigerian sports with a declaration that he deserves a national award for his selfless services to the nation.
Lalong made the declaration Thursday when he along with other eminent Nigerians including Ladipo were invested with the Fellowship of the National Institute For Sports (NIS), Lagos at the Institution’ s 9th Convocation/50th year anniversary celebration.
According to him, it’s surprising that somebody like Ladipo who has for more than four decades devoted his time and resources in support of the national teams has not been deemed fit for a national award; saying that he deserves it more than any other Nigerian.
“The name, Rafiu Ladipo is synonymous with sports in this country. This is a man who for more than four decades has been supporting the national teams, traveling all over the world with the teams. His patriotism is unequalled and yet nobody has considered him for a national award.
“I think he’s more qualified than most of the people being recognized with national award and it’s not yet late for him to be so honoured as that will make him not to feel neglected by his country where his patriotism is known to all,” he stressed.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Director General of NIS, Prof. Olawale Akanbi Moronkola explained that all those chosen for investitures as fellows of the Institute have a good track record of sports development .
Meanwhile, while receiving the Fellowship award, Ladipo commended the management of NIS for finding him worthy to be made a fellow of the only institute saddled with the responsibility of producing coaches and sports managers for the country.
He announced the setting up of an annual award of N200,000 for the best graduating male and female students of the institute for the next five years
Other eminent Nigerians who were made fellows of the Institute includes, Managing Director /CEO of Peace Airline, Allen Onyema, President of Remo Stars FC, Hon. Kunle Soname, seven time Paralympian, Lucy Ejike, ace broadcaster, Danladi Bako and the pioneer Principal of NIS, Dr. Awoture Eleyae who was given a post humous award.