... Nigeria Must Utilise Sports For Development, Job Creation- Fashola
IModele Sarafa Yusuf, a guest, Senator John Owan Enoh, Dr Mumuni Alao, Mr Raji Fashola SAN, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Mallam A.U Mustapha SAN, Mr Segun Odegbami at the book launch.
t was indeed a day of joy filled with emotions for a man of honour and humility, a jolly good fellow as we all testified, a veteran journalist and President, University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, Dr Mumuni Alao as he launched his Autobiography in Lagos, Nigeria.
Big sign of an unprecedented show of support it was as the hall was filled to the brim with smiling faces from diverse areas of human endeavours. The calibre of people at the book launch showed great love and solidarity for one of our best brains in journalism.
Dr. Mumini Alao with Dr. Muiz Banire SAN and other dignitaries at the event.
Dr. Mumini Alao’s new book is a must-read for all and will indeed be of great inspiration to both old and new generations not only in sports administration or journalism but in all areas of human endeavours.
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, was the Guest Lecturer at the event and called on all sports stakeholders to see sports as a major driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, describing it as a solution to the country’s youth unemployment.
“With proper structure in our sports administration, we could employ millions of Nigerian youths.”He also urged policymakers to birth Nigerian versions of Sky Sports, ESPN, and beIN Sports, and drew lessons from the English Premier League to create jobs.
On reform, he called for strict licensing enforcement to eliminate failing clubs, minimum wage standards for athletes, and a coordinated 10-year sports development plan involving teachers, health experts, lawyers, media practitioners, and all tiers of government.
“Let’s safeguard integrity by developing a new generation of referees and umpires of the highest possible standard and adopting a zero-tolerance policy for doping and cheating.” He concluded.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion and head of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, went down memory lane of how he first encountered the author, describing him as a man of character, credibility and reliability whose professionalism has remained uncompromised throughout his decades-long career.
The public presentation of My Autobiography, the life story of veteran sports journalist, Dr. Mumini Alao, made Mallam Dikko to stressed that Alao “has never asked him for any favour” and has always maintained a strictly professional relationship.
He described the book as brilliant, concise, straight to the point and captivating while urging the author to write more books to guide the next generation of journalists and sports entrepreneurs.”
“I learnt so much from what I’ve read, lessons that go beyond sports journalism into perseverance, business management, humility, and recalibrating for success.”
He urged young journalists, media practitioners, and sports administrators to study the book, insisting that passion must remain the number one credential for anyone seeking to grow Nigerian sports. Dikko said that the topic of the lecture by Fashola mirrored current efforts to “recalibrate the business of sports in Nigeria, using football as a benchmark.”
Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, also commended Alao as “a very upright, dependable, experienced individual.”
He recalled appointing him to chair a sensitive investigative panel on the Paris Olympics and Paralympics fiasco, and Alao agreed to do the assignment under strict condition of “no interference from any quarters.”
“I gave my words and he delivered an incredible job,” Enoh said, lamenting that the Ministry of Sports Development was scrapped the same week the report was submitted. The document, however, resurfaced recently in discussions about Nigerian athlete Favour Ofili’s possible nationality switch.Sports remains Nigeria’s “best moment” for national unity and development.
In his reviews, Dr. Bolu John Folayan, described the book as “a fantastic literary work” and “a masterclass in Nigerian sports journalism.” Divided into two parts, 23 chapters chronicling Alao’s professional rise and 11 covering his personal life, the book is designed for easy reading, with concise chapters and simple vocabulary.”Key lessons from the work include integrity in journalism, work–life balance, resilience and legacy building.” urging would-be sports publishers not to start without first reading it.
He challenged the audience: “Mumini Alao has written his autobiography at 60, when are you going to write yours?”Giving a very emotional vote of thanks, Dr. Alao expressed profound appreciation to everyone for their show of love.
Among the many dignitaries at the event were former NFF President Amaju Pinnick; ex-Green Eagles winger Segun Odegbami, Mutiu Adepoju, Dr Muiz Banire SAN, Alhaji Nojeem Jimoh, Modele Sarafa Yusuf, Aisha Falode, Mallam A.U. Mustapha SAN, Prof Khalid Adekoya, Prof Tajudeen Yusuf and other distinguished members of University of Lagos Muslim Alumni, Barrister Fajimite and other members of The Companion, The Criterion, Hon. Kabiru Amadu, Mr Tunde Kelani, Mr Tunji Sotimirin, Mr Toyin Ibitoye, and a host of sports administrators and media veterans.