It is with total submission to the will of the Almighty I write to pay tribute to the man, Late Chief Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele a true nationalist and a man of many parts who has made numerous contributions to the nation rendering services in various sectors, notably as an administrator, a one time Minister of Information and one time chairman of the Nigerian Sports Commission which falls under my domain.
It is on record that during his tenure as Chairman of The National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigerian sports moved to a greater height. Under his chairmanship, Nigeria’s Contingent for the first time put up a superlative performance. Nigeria won a bronze and Four silver medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The following year, the Nigeria under 17 team, the Golden Eaglets won the under 17 world cup (Japan 93), in addition to the golden boot and the fair play prize. In 1994 the Super Eagles for the very first time also qualified to play in the finals of a world cup (USA ‘94).
Chief Akinyele is a true representation that any Nigerian, irrespective of background can rise to attain any height in this country, having himself, being raised by a father who was a teacher, he taught briefly at his alma mater, Gboluji, before earning a degree in English Language from the University of Ife which was partially sponsored by a secondary school in Idanre. After obtaining his diploma, he returned to the school to teach English for a number of years. He recognized the importance of education, himself an academic par excellence and made his own contribution towards the sector.
A multi talented man, the late Chief Akinyele still found time to work with a group of writers of the Village Headmaster while working at Customs in Lagos.
A businessman and a philanthropist, he has left an indelible footprint in Ondo State where he hails from.
He will be missed by all those he touched their lives positively and people who have made contact with him during his lifetime would agree with me that he was a friend for all season as there are numerous attestations to the fact that he never abandoned his friends in their dark times.
My prayer is that the good Lord grants his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
