Football personalities in Ogun State recently gathered to celebrate with the Chairman, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Ogun State Chapter, who is also the Chairman, Ogun State Teqball Association, and the President, All Stars Football Club Abeokuta, Alhaji Lawal Adeoye Kasimawo Waheed, on the occasion of his 60th birthday and his retirement from civil service.
Among dignitaries that attended the friendly football match that was organized to mark the ceremony on 2nd November, 2024 inside the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta was the former CAF Coach of the Year, Kadiri Ikhana, who described Alhaji Lawal as a true football philanthropist who donates his time, money, experience, and skills to help create a better world.
Ikhana, who won the African Champions League with Enyimba and was a member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations’ victorious Green Eagles team, however, urged the celebrant not to rest in his oars in supporting football in Ogun State, saying “posterity is there to attest to all our deeds when we all leave the stage.”
The celebrant, who also retired after a meritorious service at the Central Bank of Nigeria, in his remark, thanked all and sundry for their different roles played during his service at CBN and his 60 years of living while pledging his continuous support to All Stars, YSFON, and grassroots football in Nigeria.
He, however, urged the stakeholders and governments to support the development of grassroots football at all levels by creating an enabling environment for investors in the game to thrive, saying our aim at All Stars is to create an atmosphere of frenzy for the members in and outside of Abeokuta through football.
Other members of Ogun All Stars that felicitated with Lawal are Mr. Babalola Semiu Adesina, Secretary of the club, Hon Allen-Taylor Olufemi, former member of Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Kehinde Adeyemi secretary Ogun YSFON and Director of Sports, Olabisi Onabanjo University among others.