The Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, has felicitated with Alhaji Sani Toro, the first Executive Secretary of the NPFL Governing Board on the occasion of his 70th anniversary.
In a congratulatory message to the former National Assembly member, Elegbeleye praised him for his contributions to the development of Professional Football League in the country.
“Your immense contribution to the development of Professional Football League through the groundwork of the board you led as Executive Secretary is the foundation of what has grown to produce many illustrious players and Coaches for the country,” the message read.
Toro, who served as the Secretary of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) when Nigeria qualified for the first World Cup in 1994 and holds the traditional title of Yardman of Toro, clocked 70 on May 15.
The IMC Chairman prayed for Toro to continue to enjoy good health and “keep availing his wealth of experience to the football industry in Nigeria and beyond”.
Similarly, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the entire members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have also congratulated the foremost sports administrator on his Platinum celebration.
In his goodwill message, SWAN President Dr. Honour Sirawoo recalled that Nigeria during the era of Sani Toro as the General Secretary of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) recorded numerous successes due to his sterling leadership qualities.
Sirawoo particularly noted that it was during the tenure of Toro that Nigeria shocked the world by becoming the first African country to win the Olympic soccer gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.
Toro, who was the first Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Professional Football League, was also instrumental to the Super Eagles winning the Tunisia 1994 African Cup of Nations Championship.
“SWAN is happy that Toro also diversified himself by going into partisan politics where he was elected as a member of the House Representatives,” Sirawoo further said. “We are happy that the likes of Toro are still around to continue to render his fatherly advice to the nation.
“It is also our hope that those who are running Nigerian football today will see the wisdom in going to people like Sani Toro to get the tips of what they did during their time to have succeeded.
“We sincerely pray that God will continue to keep such national icons like Sani Toro in sound health of mind and body.”