Eulogies have continued to pour in for Dr. Steve Abiodun Olarinoye, ahead of his 70th birthday, with the ceremony fixed for Saturday January 4th, 2025, at Febbies Suites and Hall, 7, Monisoye Afolabi Close, off Awolowo Road, Tanke, Ilorin.

In the message of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mallam Ibrahim Musa Gusau, he congratulated Dr Olarinoye on attaining the golden age, in good health, sound mind and with peace in your heart.

“It is with much elation that I present to you warm sporting regards and season’s compliments of the Executive Committee Members, Management and Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation.

“I heartily and earnestly congratulate you on this landmark occasion of your 70th (Platinum) Birthday Anniversary, which will come up on Saturday, 4th January 2025.

“Your record of performance at the NFF remains sterling till this day, as those who were around in that period continue to speak glowingly of your role as Head of the Pro-League Department, during which you hugely motivated staff of the department to work assiduously towards establishing a League of which we are all proud today.

“Your work ethic, diligence, personal and professional discipline, dedication to duty, mentoring ability, passion and resilience are routinely referenced by the older members of Staff nowadays, who also easily recall the special role you played as Administrative Secretary of the U23 National Team that won Africa’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in football, in Atlanta, USA in 1996.

“We also celebrate you on the excellent role you have played in steering Nigeria football to its present height, and pray that the Almighty God will continue to bless you with good health and sound mind, to spend the rest of your days in bliss and in the midst of abundance.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), in a letter signed by the Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, commended Dr. Olarinoye ‘for being an exemplary member of our community’.

“On behalf of the entire Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your remarkable journey and achievements. Your dedication, leadership, and pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on Nigeria sports.

“As a founding member and former head of the Pro-league in Nigeria, your contributions have been instrumental in shaping the success and growth of our league.

“Your commitment to excellence and unwavering support have set a standard for others to follow and I also wish to express my delight to a very wonderful working relationship when I was Director General, National Sports Commission.

“We are immensely proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you. Your legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we strive for even greater heights.

“Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for being an exemplary member of our community.
Warmest congratulations and best wishes for the future!

Nigeria Association For Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD), under the President, Professor F. B. Adeyanju, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and members worldwide, warmly congratulated Dr. Olarinoye on the joyous occasion of his birthday.

According to the Association, “You have been a distinguished member of NAPHER-SD and an exemplary figure in the fields of sports administration and development. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to physical education and sports development in Nigeria are highly commendable.

“As you celebrate this special day, we join your family, friends, and colleagues in honoring your accomplishments and impact. We pray that the Almighty continues to grant you good health, wisdom, and the strength to keep inspiring others, advancing the cause of our profession and moving sports in Nigeria and beyond to greater heights.

In its own message, Kwara State Football Association, felicitated Dr. Olarinoye on the ocassion of his 70th birthday.

The letter to the effect, signed the Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa on behalf of the Board wished Dr. Olarinoye “a prosperous and wonderful birthday celebration and many happy returns of the day in good health, long life with prosperity”.

The President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Mallam Abdul A. Ibrahim also congratulated Dr. Olarinoye, who is a Board member of the Federation, on behalf of the Board.

“On behalf of the Board of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and warmest wishes to you on your 70th birthday.

“On this important ocassion, we celebrate not only the years you have lived, but also the countless contributions you have made to the Federation and the broader sporting community.

“Your dedication, vision and leadership as a former Secretary General and current Board member of the Federation have left an indelible mark on weightlifting in Nigeria”, the message added.

The Omupo-born Administrator was also celebrated by his community, through the National Secretariat of the Omupo Descendants Union (ODU).

“On behalf of the Kabiyesi, Oba Muhammed-Yakubu Adebayo Buari, Olomu of Omupo, we convey the warm greetings of all sons and daughters of Omupo to you on your 70th birthday anniversary.

“We share with you and your family the joy of the occasion and thank the Almighty God for a life full of memorable achievements.

“Kabiyesi and all sons and daughters of Omupo appreciate the key roles played and contributions you have made for decades in advancing the growth, development and prosperity of Omupoland and the people.

“We are particularly proud of the quality leadership you have continued to provide in mobilization and empowerment of the youths of Omupo to position them for meaningful and sustainable roles in the development of the community.

“Whilst wishing you many more fulfilled years ahead, please accept our hearty congratulations and best wishes on the memorable occasion.

The State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi in his letter titled “A very good soul turns 70” equally joined thousands of well wishers, to felicitate Dr. Olarinoye.

“Longevity is the currency of life.
Today, we celebrate the remarkable journey of our brother and friend, Dr. Steve Abiodun Olarinoye Ph.D. as he reaches an incredible milestone—70 years of curiosity, passion, and dedication.

“Your contributions to humanity have been nothing short of inspiring, shaping countless lives as one of the Leaders of Omupo Ward, as a Community leader, Retired Deputy Director of National Sports Commission, as a Distinguished Sports Administrator who has served the country and Kwara State in different capacities. As a former DG, Kwara State Sports Commission, and as a Member, Main Organizing Committee ( MOC) 7th Kwara State Sports Festival just to mention few.

“Now that the once-little bird is now an eagle soaring, it proves that age is in the mind and you deserve to enjoy every special moment of it.

“Celebrating your achievements and all the wonderful things that make you the exceptional person that you are. May this day be a time of reflection and gratitude, and may it inspire you to achieve even greater heights.

“I wish you a very happy birthday and be blessed with many more years of joy, peace, health, and prosperity.

Dr. Steve Abiodun Olarinoye was former Director General of the Kwara State Sports Commission (NSC), and had served in various capacities at the National and International levels, before his retirement in 2017.

Dr. Olarinoye joined the National Sports Commission (NSC) as an Organising Secretary II and retired in 2017 as a Deputy Director (Sports), also as the Zonal Coordinator, South West Zone of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

He is the only Nigerian serving in the Commonwealth Weightlifting Committee, and recognised as a global sports personality.

The humble and respected expert in sports management had also served in various capacities as Manager of athletes at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, All Africa Games and others.

He was also the Administrative Secretary of the Dream Team U-23 that won Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The astute Administrator, whose pedigree gave him accolades amongst his peers at the National and International levels was instrumental in shaping the success and growth of the Nigerian League, as a Founding member and former head of the Pro-League in the country.