International Master Odion Aikhoje made the list of the 60 sports icons that was unveiled during the celebration of Nigeria’s most outstanding sports icons of the last sixty years.
The event which took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja Friday, October 16th will have the pictures of these stars on display for 60 days.
According to the votes cast to pick the oustanding stars through various platforms, Olympiad Gold medallist, IM Odion Aikhoje; Scrabble World Champion, Wellington Jighere (also a chess player on the side) was also recognised amongst others like Mercurial Super Eagles players like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Amunike of the famed 1994 and Atlanta 1996 Dream Team were selected by a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
Also selected are the 1980 Green Eagles that won Nigeria’s maiden Nations Cup on home soil with Team captain Christian Chukwu and Segun Odegbami listed individually. Emmanuel Okala and Mudashiru Lawal were also picked as symbol of the 1980 Green Eagles.
The Golden Eagles of 1985 that paraded the likes of Captain Nduka Ugbade, Victor Igbinoba and coached by Sebastian Brodricks – Imasuen were also recognised .
Notable personalities that graced the memorable event include Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Otunba Niyi Adebayo(CON), Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Dr. Senator Adeleke Mamora, Minister of State for Health. Others are Dr. (Mrs.) Ahmed S. Zainab, Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(FMI), Minister of Interior and Sharon Ikpeazor, Minister of State for Environment.
Below are the names of the unveiled 60 Sports Icons
- Chioma Ajunwa
- Mary Onyali
- Jighere Wellington
- Odion Aikhoje
- Duncan Dokiware
- Austin Okocha
- Kanu Nwankwo
- Feyisetan Are
- Blessing Okagbare
- Garba Lawal
- Lucy Ejike
- Falilat Ogunkoya/Atlanta 96 Women’s 4x400m Quartet
- Sunday Bada/Sydney 2000 Men’s 4x400m Quartet
- Football Dream Team, Atlanta 1996 Olympics
- Emmanuel Amunike
- Chika Chukwumeriji
- Davidson Ezinwa
- Odunayo Adekuoroye
- Modupe Oshikoya
- Peter Konyegwachie
- Olusoji Fasuba
- Nduka Ugbade/Sebastine Broadricks Emasuen/1985 Golden Eaglets
- Hogan Bassey
- Dick Tiger
- Samuel Peters
- Barcelona 92′ quartet (Men’s 4x100m Relay)
- Funke Oshonaike
- Segun Odegbami
- D’Tigress
- Segun Toriola
- Roland Ezuruike
- Mayegun Nojeem
- Sam Igun
- Israel Adesanya
- Super Eagles 1994
- Olumide Oyedeji
- Blessing Oborududu
- Tompraba Grikpa
- Chidi Imoh
- Christian Chukwu
- Ajibola Adeoye
- Stephen Keshi
- Atanda Musa
- Muda Lawal/Emmanuel Okala/Green Eagles 1980
- Daniel Amokachi
- Rashidi Yekini
- Teslim Thunder Balogun
- Perpetual Nkwocha
- Super Falcons
- Power Mike
- Flora Ugwunwa
- Lauretta Onye
- Sam Okwaraji
- Nduka Odizor
- David Izonrite
- Chief MKO Abiola
- Dr. Larry Izamoje
- Mazi. Ernest Okonkwo
- Alh. Aliko Dangote
- Chief Sir Kesington Adebutu
