Delta State Sports Commission chairman Onoriode Joshua “Onos” Oborevwori has dedicated his latest international sports leadership honour in London to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, saying the award reflects the administration’s drive to advance sport and empower young people.
The recognition came at the second Nigeria Universal Keystone Sport Awards (NUKSA) Gala, staged at Ham Polo Club on Petersham Road in Richmond, London. Sheriff Oborevwori was honoured with the Sport Leadership Award at the event.
The honour highlighted contributions to sports development, athlete welfare, grassroots talent discovery and sports administration, while also recognising efforts to reinforce Delta State’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states.
Onos Oborevwori was unable to attend the ceremony and was represented by Dr Drew Uyi, an international sports marketing consultant and FIFA-licensed football agent. He said the distinction should be shared with the Delta State Government, the state’s athletes, coaches, administrators and residents.
He singled out Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his continued investment in sport and his backing for development across the state. Onos Oborevwori is the governor’s younger brother.
“I dedicate this honour to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, whose support and unwavering commitment to sports development have given us the foundation to succeed,” he said.
He added: “It also belongs to our athletes, coaches, officials and all those working relentlessly to ensure Delta State remains at the forefront of Nigerian sport.”
Oborevwori said the international award would encourage the commission to step up its work in grassroots sport, athlete welfare and infrastructure, while expanding opportunities for young people to realise their potential through competition and participation.
Accepting the award for the chairman, Uyi said the recognition reflected the increasing international appreciation of the work being carried out to strengthen sport in Delta State.
He said sport had developed into a major vehicle for youth advancement, economic opportunity and global visibility, as well as a means of projecting a positive image of the state.
Before the ceremony, NUKSA organisers described Oborevwori’s nomination as a tribute to his “outstanding contributions to sports administration” and his “exceptional leadership in advancing sports development in Nigeria.”
They also praised his support for initiatives focused on developing young athletes, upgrading sporting facilities and giving competitors opportunities to perform at national and international level.
The London gala brought together sports figures, public officials, business leaders, members of the Nigerian diaspora, community representatives and other stakeholders involved in sport and youth development.
The latest award adds to the international attention surrounding Oborevwori’s stewardship of the Delta State Sports Commission and again underlines the state’s established reputation as a major force in Nigerian sport.
Oborevwori pledged that the commission would continue supporting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda by using sport to empower young people, identify emerging talent and help Delta State achieve even greater success in national and international competition.
Other winners at the London ceremony included Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri. Chelsea FC Academy footballer Chizzy Ezenwata was named the recipient of the London Sports Awards’ Emerging Talent prize.
