Kunle Soname to lead launch of book on Nigeria's sports development
Renowned sports investor and entrepreneur Kunle Soname will headline the public presentation of a new book examining the challenges and future direction of sports development in Nigeria.
Soname, the Founder and Chairman of ValueJet Airlines and Bet9ja, has been named Chief Launcher for the unveiling of Perspectives on Sports Development in Nigeria: Challenges and Ways Forward, authored by Dr. Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme, FISM, MON.
Dr. Ikpeme, a long-serving Deputy General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and sports psychologist to the Super Eagles, brings decades of experience in sports administration and athlete development to the publication. He was part of the national team setup that achieved consecutive podium finishes at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning silver in 2024 and bronze in 2026.
The event will be chaired by Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry and former Minister of Sports Development, highlighting the significance of the occasion within Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
Leading the sports fraternity at the ceremony will be the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, alongside the Commission’s Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade. Members of the board and management of the Nigeria Football Federation are also expected to attend.
Organisers have confirmed that a high-powered delegation from Cross River State, the author’s home state, will be present. The delegation will be led by Governor Senator Bassey Otu and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
Several other prominent political figures are also expected at the event, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The book presentation is scheduled to take place at 12 noon on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The publication is expected to stimulate meaningful discussions on policy, infrastructure, administration, talent development, and the reforms required to unlock the full potential of Nigerian sports.
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