A well-known sports psychologist, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, is set to serve as the book reviewer today as part of the public presentation of Dr. Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme’s new book, the organisers have confirmed.
The ceremony will take place at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with activities scheduled to begin at 12 noon.
Adegbesan, who is the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ibadan and an adjunct professor at Pan African University, was appointed professor in 2012. His work includes contributions to the African Union’s sports development framework under Agenda 2063, and he also helped shape a postgraduate curriculum in sports management in Zambia. He serves as the national president of the Sport Psychology Association of Nigeria and has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed articles, with publications that include work in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
In a separate tribute to Ikpeme, legendary youth coach Manu Garba described the author as “an amazing psychologist, hardworking and straightforward man,” adding that he is “a detribalised and complete Nigerian.” Garba also pointed to Ikpeme’s role among NFF administrative personnel, highlighting how he helped secure support from the Cross River State Government for the 2013 U-17 programme—covering the team’s camp, the qualifying process and preparations ahead of departure in Calabar.
Garba said that backing “contributed immensely” to the side’s qualifying wins against Niger, Guinea and Mali. He added that the team later went on to establish a record as the highest-scoring outfit in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, scoring 25 goals across seven matches while conceding just four on their way to winning the tournament in the UAE.
Speaking further on the drivers behind the success, Garba attributed it to “the good working relationship” between the technical and administrative units. He named assistant coaches Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka Ugbade, goalkeeping coach Emeka Amadi, team doctor Deji Olarinoye and physiotherapist, as well as team secretary Tayo Egbaiyelo and media officer Morakinyo Abodunrin. He also cited team coordinator Suleiman Abubakar, the Musa Muhammad-led squad, and the timely bonus payments provided under the Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.
Garba also noted that a 2013 commitment by the Cross River State Government to provide houses for the squad—made under Senator Liyel Imoke—still remains unfulfilled. He suggested that maintaining documented accounts of these kinds of moments by sports administrators can help preserve an informed record of how Nigeria safeguards and builds its sporting legacy.
