All is set for Nigeria’s biggest sports awards, the Nigerian Awards for Sporting Excellence (NASE), holding tomorrow, Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Osun Hall of Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.
A statement issued on Friday by the organisers said that in addition to honouring Nigerian sportsmen, women and administrators who distinguished themselves this year, awards would also be bestowed on three teams and two corporate organisations contributing significantly to the development and growth of Nigerian sports. It named the teams as the senior national basketball side, D’Tigers, their female counterparts D’Tigress and reigning Nigerian Professional Football League champions Plateau United. The statement, signed by the Chairman of the Award Committee, Prince Isidore Oduah, identified oil giants Aiteo and Access Bank as the two corporate organisations to be honoured at the event.
“The awards will be graced by a galaxy of distinguished sports personalities from various parts of Nigeria, who have already confirmed their attendance at the event starting by 5pm,” said Prince Oduah, a one-time Executive Committee Member of the Nigeria Football Association (now NFF).
He named active sports stars billed to receive awards at the occasion to include Super Eagles Skipper Mikel Obi; mesmerising winger Victor Moses; veteran striker Obafemi Martins; safe hands Carl Ikeme and Ikechukwu Ezenwa; goal queen Asisat Oshoala; and tennis sensation Aruna Quadri.
Also scheduled to be honoured are Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick, his Basketball counterpart Ahmadu Musa Kida, and Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr. Others are Chairman of SCOA Plc, Chief Barr. Henry Agbamu; Chairman, El-Kanemi FC of Maiduguri, Alhaji Zannah Mala-Kakaje; Director of Sports, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief (Mrs.) Dili Onyedinma; National Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba; and Chairman of BJ Foundation FC of Benin City, Coach Douglas Idahosa.
Two public servants, namely, Senate Minority Leader, Chief Senator (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), and incumbent Governor or Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, are equally billed to be honoured for their contributions towards the development of sports in the country, Prince Oduah stated.