.  friends, associates celebrate late Oyo governor

Celebrations of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s 71st Posthumous birthday continued yesterday, with a novelty match between Akorede football team and Idi-Ayunre team, where the former triumphed with two goals.

The football match, which  was graced by family members, friends and associates of the late two-term Governor, including his wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; Oyo Lawmaker, Seyi Adisa; ALGON Chairman, Abass Aleshinloye; former Aides to Governor Ajimobi, and a host of soccer legends was organised by Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, federal House of Representatives member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency.

Speaking about the match, held at the Lead-city stadium, Ibadan, the host, Akande-Sadipe informed that the event was her way of celebrating the late Governor Ajimobi, who she said was a support system to her political career while he was alive.

Also commenting, the former First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Ajimobi lauded the lawmaker for such initiative, which has encouraged the youths and entertained the adults in her constituency.

“Nothing is too much to celebrate His Excellency, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who during his lifetime gave his all to the development of Oyo State, his party and family. We miss him and his legacies”, she said.

Also in his remarks, the lawmaker representing Afijio State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Barrister Seyi Adisa said his former boss was fondly called Archipelago, because football was one of the things he wanted to be remembered for.

He said, “honestly, my former boss deserves a befitting match such as this, being a football nut himself. If my memory does not fail me, he remains the only former Governor in this country who played active football in his younger-years. Ajimobi played for his alma-mater, Lagelu Grammar school.

“Everybody is here to witness the artistic displays by soccer players, as part of activities to celebrate our legendary father and role-model, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi,” concluded the House of Assembly member.

The event began at 8 a.m with an explosive match between Akorede Local Government team and Idi-Ayunre team, after which Mrs. Ajimobi presented a trophy and cash gift to Akorede football team, winners of the match.

The Idi-Ayunre team also received a cash reward.

Akorede Football team won with two goals, scored by its Attacker Ibrahim Olatunbosun.

•  wins cash reward of N250,000

History was made yesterday as
Adebayo & Gbadamosi law firms lifted the coveted trophy of the Aare Afe Babalola / Ibadan Bar League after thrashing the hard fighting Abike ‘boys’ 2 – 1 in the final of the football match .

The Abike team , who appeared to be a better side , got the bronze medals and cash prize of N150,000 as runners up.

Before the final match, Crown Solicitors defeated Bandele Aiku with 4 -2 in the third match played at the Olubadan Stadium, Iyaganku, Ibadan, carting away medals and a cash reward of N100,000 .

Twelve teams from different law firms in Ibadan , Oyo state participated in this year’s Aare Afe Babalola ,SAN / Ibadan Bar Football League , which commenced on Friday November, 13, 2020 at the Olubadan stadium.

The football league was solely sponsored by the Afe Babalola & Co ; comprising the four branches ( Ibadan, Lagos , Abuja , and Port-Harcourt ) to celebrate and honor the founder/Principal , Aare Afe Babalola for his untiring contributions to legal practice and to Nigeria at large.

Speaking with newsmen after the final match, Mr Sina Ogungbade , a Principal of Aare Afe Babalola & Co , also expressed happiness over the outcome of the tournament , stating that as lawyers ,there is need for them to make time out to mingle among themselves to foster unity and togetherness among legal practitioners in the state .

” This is our way of fostering unity development , and togetherness amongst lawyers . It is not all about going to courts alone, lawyers should have time to mingle among themselves , to meet and interact . And we chose football because the Principal of the firm, Aare Afe Babalola & Co is an avid supporter of football . As a matter of fact , at the age of 91, 92 , he still has a club that he supports weekly “, he stated.

He said ” we have chosen to use football as a mark of honour for our founder/ Principal because of his love and passion for football , our founder/Principal always finds time to watch good football despite his very busy working schedule”.

Besides, he said the competition has increase the bonding and deepen the friendship amongst lawyers in the premier bar .

In his remarks , Mr Olayinka Esan , the current Chairman ,Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch , listed some of the benefits of the annual football competition to include celebration of the patron of the Bar , Aare Afe Babalola SAN and promotion of unity among lawyers.

Esan said ” Well, the first thing is that we celebrate our patron, Aare Afe Babalola SAN who donated this cup and its a yearly tournament . This is the second edition . All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy . As you see, some of us have crossed the border, but the young lawyers you have here have made us proud. Its a competition that we started about two months, and today its the final. Apart from the competition, apart from relaxing, we are getting together. Everybody is happy. It is just going beyond playing , it is a competition and we are getting rewards, all thanks to Aare Afe Babalola SAN “.

Also, the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo state, Asiwaju Bayo Ojo , a Principal Partner, Adebayo & Gbadamosi law firm, expressed gratitude to the organiser of the competition , Aare Afe Babalola for the wonderful opportunity to be part of the tournament.

” I am happy and highly elated. And I must thank the sponsor of this tournament, our father, leader and grandfather in law, Aare Afe Babalola , a Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN). You see , as lawyers we hardly have time to recreate, but our father , Aare Afe Babalola had opened a great window for us to play this tournament. Apart from promoting healthy relationship among law firms in Ibadan, it goes beyond that , promotes a healthy way of living which is very good. We are really very happy for this and we hope that by next year, we will witness another robust tournament than this, ” he said.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter on Monday  commiserated with the management of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ibadan over the death of its former Chairman, Alhaji Gbolagade Busari who passed on at the age of 61.

Busari, popularly known as Busso during his life time, died on Monday at the University College Hospital Ibadan where he had been receiving treatment following a brief illness.

In a condolence message signed the Association’s Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary, Adewale Tijani, Oyo SWAN described the death of Busso as a monumental loss to not only 3SC but also to sports fraternity, Journalism profession and the Political Class.

“The death of Busso is shocking. We will miss him because of his statemanship”, Oyo SWAN lamented .

The statement also recalled that late Busari was a bridge builder who strived to ensure that peace reign among sports writers in the state.

“We can’t forget the role Late Busso played in resolving the dispute among sports writers in Oyo State. He also toiled to return 3SC’s to its former prestigious place”, Oyo SWAN noted.

The Association condoled with the family of the late Politician, and prayed that God give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Late Busari was the Chairman of 3SC during the tenure of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Before delving into politics, late Busari was a sports journalist with the defunct Sketch Newspaper.

He rose to the position of Chief Editor before relocating to the U.S, from where he returned to join politics and subsequently became 3SC Chairman.