Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One, Olushola Ogunnowo has been conferred with the Football Administrator Of The Year award for his unrivalled administrative abilities and work ethic, which have turned grassroots football in Nigeria into a commercial brand.
Ogunnowo was chosen for the award by the prestigious and revered Africa Illustrious Award, which is given to people and organizations who have succeeded in leadership, philanthropy, community development, business, academics, technology, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship throughout Africa.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi expressed his delight for Ogunnowo.
“The award is well deserving of Ogunnowo, as is an administrator per excellence and never compromised standards. These qualities has seen the NLO thrive under his stewardship.”
Expectedly, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau is among the Special Guests of Honor that will grace the event, which notable Nigerians and other African leaders, like the Former President of Swaziland will well attend.
Remember that under his stringent management practices, the nation’s third-tier domestic league has made enormous strides in talent discovery and talent transfer to the national cadet teams, Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.
Also, the capacity building of coaches and managers, a prime focus of the NLO, which is geared towards catching up with the latest developments in grassroots football through organizing seminars and coaching clinics (NLO/Berackiah Coaching Clinic).
To cap it all was the recent business tour of England with five club CEOs.
During the two-week tour, the NLO delegation visited English teams with experience in developing grassroots football players. Exchange and partnership agreements were signed with a few clubs.
Consequently, as the African Illustrious Award seeks to search, discover and recognize highly distinguished Africans who have been outstanding in private and public
service, Ogunnowo falls into the category.
Ogunnowo’s recognition is in line with the African Illustrious Award vision to project and promote excellence in Africa, not as an exception, but as a consistent pattern in the modern African experience pursuant to the above.
The African Illustrious Award team of seasoned professionals, distinguished researchers, a special panel, and the public, after due diligence, found the NLO COO worthy to receive the prestigious FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR.
Ogunnowo will officially receive this prestigious honour, the first of its type to be given to a football boss in Nigeria’s football family, on Friday, December 9, 2022, at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, by 3 pm, with other trailblazing Africans.
