The Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Sports Council, Professor Alabi Sebili Soneye, on Thursday, July 3, 2025, led a delegation of sports officials and coaches to present two groups of outstanding student-athletes to the University Management.
He showcased student-athletes who recently emerged champions at the EcoBank Chess Competition, as well as those selected to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World University Games in Germany.
The delegation included Dr. Babatunde Sawyerr and Honorary Coach Adebayo Babalola, Principal Assistant Registrar, Sports Centre, Mr. Felix Akeju as well as Coach Funmi Otegbeye (Athletics) and Coach Emmanuel Okolo (Basketball).
While introducing the athletes to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Professor Bola Oboh who received the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the UNILAG Sports Council Chairman noted that the UNILAG Chess team had defended their title successfully, winning the Eco Bank Chess Competition for the second consecutive year, and the one (1) million naira prize.
He commended the student-athletes for their discipline, resilience, and team spirit, attributing their success to hard work and dedication.
The second part of the presentation featured two of the three UNILAG students selected to represent Nigeria at the 2025 (FISU) World University Games, scheduled to begin in Germany on July 17, 2025. These athletes will compete in Judo and Badminton, respectively.
Professor Soneye expressed full confidence in their readiness, physically and mentally, for the global stage.
In her response, Professor Oboh congratulated the Chess team on their outstanding achievement, and reiterated the university’s pride in their efforts and excellence.
Her words “Your performance reflects the excellence we encourage here at UNILAG. You’ve proven once again that our student-athletes can shine both academically and in sports. I am even more delighted that our athletes from the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education are well-represented among those who have brought us this victory.”
She also praised the coaches for their dedication and reaffirmed the institution’s ongoing commitment to promoting sports. Professor Oboh emphasized UNILAG’s goal of nurturing an environment that balances academic pursuit with athletic excellence.
To the athletes preparing for the FISU Games, she offered words of encouragement, urging them to give their best and represent both the university and the country with honour.
Also speaking at the reception was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Afolabi Lesi, who commended the Chess team’s consistent performance and encouraged all athletes to stay focused and ambitious.
Professor Lesi who is the immediate past Chairman of UNILAG Sports Council urged the FISU-bound athletes to seize the opportunity and etch their names in history.
The student-athletes presented are: Okeke, Isaac (Adult Education, 400L); Okemakinde Toluwanimi (Urban & Regional Planning, 400L); Ilesanmi, Favour (Chemical Engineering, 500L); Matan Adebayo (Science Education, 300L); Afolabi Emmanuel (Cell Biology and Genetics, 300L); Adebayo Aliyah (Computer Science, 300L); Agbazue, Obiamaka (Electrical-Electronics Engineering, 300L).
The FISU-bound team are: Osoba Eniola George (Human Kinetics & Health Education, 400L – Judo); Adedamila Adeyinka Shukurah (Human Kinetics & Health Education, 400L – Judo); Obasanmi Christianah Olajumoke (Human Kinetics & Health Education, 200L – Badminton).
The visit concluded with the presentation of the Chess trophy to University Management and a group photograph featuring the student-athletes, coaches, and university officials.
One Response
This is nice . Congratulations 🎉 and wishing them success ahead