Sports personalities celebrate Olarinoye’s retirement

Oyo SWAN organised a send forth for Dr Olarinoye

*Bolaji Ojo-Oba got a birthday surprise

Sports personalities from far and near, friends and associates converged in Omupo on Saturday, at the country home of Dr. Steve Abiodun Olarinoye, to celebrate his retirement, after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.

Dr. Olarinoye joined the National Sports Commission (NSC) as an Organising Secretary II and retired this month as a Deputy Director (Sports), also as the Zonal Coordinator, South West Zone of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

The thanksgiving service was held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Omupo Archdeaconry, Diocese of Igbomina, Ifelodun Local Government Area, and the reception at his home in Omupo.

In his inspirational talk during the reception, Professor J. O. Adeniyi of the Landmark University, Omu-Aran described retirement from service as the third stage of human life.

Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba…got a big surprise being his birthday

According to him, ‘nobody retires from life except after death’ the word ‘retirement’ has practically very little meaning, as we work till death. And retirement is not a season of no work, but a time to do another work’ he added.

He said that retirement without doing anything means endangering one’s health.

The celebrant, Dr. Olarinoye, said that the retirement is an opportunity for him to give back to the community, because the community has done a lot for him.

Among those who graced the reception are the Olomu of Omupo, Oba Yakubu Adebayo Buari, Dr. Amos Adamu, Dr Raufu Bolaji Ojo-Oba, who also cut his birthday cake at the occasion, the Kwara state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Pharmacist Kale Ayo, his counterpart in the Ministry of Planning, Alhaji Wasiu Taiwo Odewale, the Director of Sports, Mallam Tunde Kazeem and other Sports Council management staff, Executive and members of ITC Club, Ilorin, Chief Felix Owolabi and Shooting Stars Sports Club gaffer, Coach Fatai Amoo.

Others are members and elders of Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Kwara chapter, Kwara and Oyo states SWAN members, Mr Akinloye Oyebanji of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) fame, the Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Emmanuel Dada Obafemi, friends and well wishers.

Some of the personalities congratulated and commended the celebrant for adding value to sports development over the years, charging Kwara state government to make good use of the experience and availability of Dr. Olarinoye in bettering sports development in the state.

Earlier on Friday, a novelty football match between Lubcon FC and BFA Academy was organised by the stakeholders in the sports industry in the state to mark the exit of Dr. Olarinoye from service.

The match ended 2-0 in favour of Lubcon FC.

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