Former Nigeria International striker Victor Ikpeba has heaped plaudits on the organisers of the Annual Sportsville Special Recognition Awards , even as he singled out the Chief Executive Officer of Sportsville, Honourable Frank Ilaboya for praises over a tête-à-tête.
The 1997 African Footballer of the Year made the commendation during an encounter with Ilaboya on the margins of the unveiling of the Niger Delta Sports Festival mascot in Owerri, Imo State on Friday.
“Frank, I must commend you and your team for the organisation of the annual Sportsville Award. I have been following the progress since you guys started five years ago and I must say you are doing a great job,” Ikpeba, fondly called the Prince of Monaco, reportedly said. “Last year, I missed the opportunity to be part of the ceremony due to another pressing engagement but count on me to be there live this year.”
In a related development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the popular Enugu-based Afia TV, Emeka Mba, has also applauded the organisers of the award when Ilaboya visited him in Enugu on Saturday.
“This is a great innovation in the sports industry and I am excited that people like you are in the forefront of the wonderful work.
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“I have always held the view that appreciating people who have contributed in one way or the other in any endeavour is a big motivation to do more. Kudos Frank, for leading in this direction,”
MBA also spoke glowingly of Ezeaku Amobi, the Sportsville’s nominee for the Football Administrator of the Year Award.
“The young man is a big asset not only to Rangers International Football Club but to Nigeria as whole,” the one-time Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) , noted.
“We are so proud of what he’s doing with Rangers and I am very happy to hear he is among those to be honoured by your organisation. Big congratulations to Amobi for this well-deserved recognition,” he added
This year’s ceremony comes up at Eko Club, off Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos with the Arise TV anchor, Oseni Rufai, as the Chairman of the day.