National Daily honours Odegbami with ‘Sports Icon of the Decade’ award

Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) was among top Nigerian personalities honoured during the 2022 National Daily Awards held penultimate Friday, May 12, 2023.

The event tagged: “National Daily Award of Excellence” was held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos under the chairmanship of Prince Julius Adelusi Founder of Juli Pharmacy while former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was a Special Guest of honour delivered the keynote address.

The ceremony celebrates individuals and corporate organizations who have shown true commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and have impacted positively on the lives of many.

According to the awards organisers, Chief Odegbami received the ‘Sports Icon of the Decade’ in recognition of his contribution to sport development and education in Nigeria and Africa.

Odegbami was born on 27 August 1952 in Lagos, Nigeria to Jacob Adebola Odegbami (1911–2003) and Beatrice Bintu Abeke Odegbami (née Olotu) (1921–2018), one of their seven children.

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He won 46 caps and scored 23 goals for the Nigeria national team which he guided to its first Africa Cup of Nations title at the 1980 tournament in his homeland.

Nicknamed Mathematical, he was famous for his skill on the ball, speed and precision of his crosses from the right wing.

In 2003, he founded Nigeria’s first multi-sports secondary school, Segun Odegbami International College & Sports Academy in Wasinmi, Ogun State.

CEO and Editor-In-Chief of National Daily, Sylvester Ebhodage said that Chief Odegbami has won the admiration and affection of millions of Nigerians due to his sustained commitment to sport development, and willingness to make significant contributions to important national causes.

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“At National Daily newspapers, we believe that the best way to produce men and women who still believe in this great country, and are willing to give everything to make it work, is to recognize, and encourage them to continue doing the good things they do, while we urge others to emulate them.

“While we use the opportunity to show appreciation to many top public figures and top dignitaries in the country whose gestures have been worthy of emulation and whose actions over the years, and most especially within the period under review, have contributed in one way or another in uplifting humanity.

“We also take a route not common, in recognizing some people who think their contributions go unnoticed because they do not make front page news, neither are they well known and celebrated. But we made efforts to identify them, and want to use this opportunity to say thank you for all you are doing,” he added.