By Kunle Adelabu
It was indeed a sunset and a great passage that could best be described as the fallen of an ‘Ajanaku’ (a giant figure whose death has attracted huge attention) with great effects on lkorodu and Lagos State, as a retired senior police officer, foremost grassroots developer, safety ambassador and a community and human developer per excellence, Alhaji (Chief) Kolawole Saheed Akinsanya, Otunba Atuluse of Magbon – Alade, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Lagos State, was called to eternity by the Olodumare.
The ever-ebullient but no-nonsense sport administrator, principled figure and God – fearing man who always thought about others and his community first, died early morning on Sunday, August 19, 2024, after a brief sickness.
He was the President, Grassroots Sports Development Association, lkorodu, former Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Divisional Football Association and Coordinator, Safety First Initiative.
Akinsanya was appointed member of the Customary Court between August 2015 and October 2020.
He served as the Special Adviser on Security to the Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and Special Adviser, Safety & Security Matters to the Chairman, Ibeju – Lekki Local government. He was also an author.
Akinsanya, who served in various sections of the Nigerian Police Force before his honourable discharge and retirement, at various times served as Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at Owutu and Imota Police Stations, and also as acting Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ikorodu Divisional Police Headquarters located along Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu.
During his service days, he was known for his discipline, commitment and dedication to duty and safety of the people. He was among the few officers that cannot be bribed if you contravene the laws which he swore to protect.
In the 90s, Alhaji Akinsanya, as an officer, quickly discovered that youth engagement and development are panacea to life of crimes, and by extension harbinger of peace and harmony the society. Hence, he formed a football team, popularly known as Akinsanya Babes, in 1989, and assembled young guys and trained them at his police quarters located within the Ikorodu Divisional Police Headquarters, lgbogbo road, lkorodu.
The team later metamorphosed into the Pepsi Academy, Ikorodu Centre, in 1996, afterwards, formed and managed Greater Tomorrow FC and the Ikorodu Tigress FC, the first female football team in Ikorodu.
As a strong believer in the ability of the youths, Alhaji Akinsanya worked passionately to give them a platform to express themselves, and eventually facilitated the laudable initiative – Pepsi Academy which was coordinated at the national level the late veteran football administrator, Chief Kashimawo Laloko. The initiative, for many years, helped Nigeria to developed raw football talents at the grassroots and Ikorodu was fully involved in the initiative through Alhaji Akinsanya. Thus, his team of young football talents, known as Akinsanya Babes, naturally formed the main nucleus of the academy in Ikorodu.
He did not only gather the young budding footballers to seek glory for himself and family, but he catered and nurtured them, and also instilled discipline and purpose of the initiative in them. Yours truly, who was not a good football player while growing up, also spent little time with the team. In Alhaji Akinsanya’s beautiful and adorable wife, these young guys found a motherly love that complimented and aided his efforts in building a family of young and greatly talented footballers who went on to dominate the Ikorodu and Lagos State football circles for many years.
As a visionary leader and thinker, Alhaji Akinsanya created another team for senior players who were then in their 20s and even below, and this provided opportunity for the players of the Akinsanya Babes and Pepsi Academy to pursue their professional football careers. It was ilan incredible footballing era as there were real entertainment, fulfilment and joy in watching the round leather games. The Greater Tomorrow Football Club commanded a cult-like supporters, as the Police Barracks Sports Arena was always filled with a teeming football supporters and lovers each time the team was playing with their supporters always with them. These was the period of Muyiwa Gbolu aka Maino, the experienced and calm ‘Skipo’ (captain) of the team; System, Dr Abiodun Fatai – Abatan aka Baresi (the acting Dean, Students’ Affair and an associate Professor, LASU), Kazeem Adeyinka aka Atupa, Tobi aka Charles Tailor, Kabiru, Tony, John, Kunle Kazeem aka Koko, Akeem Momoh (a senior police officer), Emmanuel and Ntoun Eyo (brothers) and a few others that were marshalling the team’s defense with utter authority, while the likes of Alimi, Mufu, Small, Dare, Blessing, Akpan, Mustapha Momoh, and Ademola Ogunlewe aka Oruma (a sports administrator) mesmerised the crowd with their brilliant creative displays in the wing and midfield sections. Apana, Godspower, Saheed aka Turuku, Shamsideen Akinsanya, Monzor Akinsanya and Lookman Akinsanya, yes, sons of late Alhaji Kolawole Akinsanya and others formed deadly strike force while team’s goalkeepers were Afeez Abija and Waheed Olumade among others
It was during these years that yours truly started reporting for Joorugbe Star Exposure, a community news medium in Ikorodu and Ogijo, and my interest in sports beat developed. Thus, I was reporting important matches of Greater Tomorrow FC. The reportage took a more significant trend when the Factor, another Ikorodu – based community newsmagazine came into existence and I was opportuned to be among the founding reporters.
Incidentally, Alhaji Akinsanya was not satisfied with the way sports was being promoted, especially football, and in order to constantly engaging his team, through constant competitive matches, thereby, creating a more engaging and entertaining football environment in Ikorodu, he established the Grassroots Football Development Forum (GFDF), alongside the likes Mr Kalejaiye Major (Mayor or Sailover), Alhaji Moshood Atuwon (Moscow), late Mr Bisiriyu Adewale Dagama, late Mr Ashiru Omotayo, Mr Joseph (Askari), Mr Tunde Fajebe and Mr Akewusola Idowu (ID). The group later expanded its scope and turned into what it is today known as the Grassroots Sports Development Association (GSDA), and has recorded lots of achievements under the leadership of Alhaji Kola Akinsanya.
The group, during the period, brought active and constant football engagements to Ikorodu, through various tournaments, while it also facilitated sponsors. Some of the annual major tournaments held were: Lowokan Cup sponsored by Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Southwest Integration & DAWN in his capacity then as the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I; Otunba Fatai Olukoga Cup sponsored by Otunba Fatai Olukoga who was then a Permanent Secretary and later Special Adviser on Education; Ladi Lawal Cup sponsored by late Ladi Lawal, former General Manager, AIT/Raypower among others.
Also, his female football team, the first in Ikorodu Division, the Ikorodu-Oga Tigress FC, in their prime, produced young female players that dominated female Principal Cup and other female competitions in Lagos State.
Alhaji Akinsanya’s goal, regarding the establishment of these soccer teams during those periods, was not just about getting the young football players to entertain people and assist them to get clubs locally and internationally to further their dreams, but also to mentor and encourage them develop themselves educationally as well as acquire skills.
However, Alhaji Akinsanya unsuccessfully led the campaign for the redevelopment of the Police Barracks Playing Ground in Ikorodu, though, his efforts to make the government upgrade the playing ground almost yielded result, following a letter written by GSDF to the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, through the Ministry of Sports, when Otunba Fatai Olukoga was then the Permanent Secretary of the ministry. According to report gathered, approval was given for the construction of Youth Centre and Recreational Facilities at Police Barracks Playing Ground.
The Lagos State Government then had written a letter with Ref. No YSSD/1275/47 and dated 15th August 2006, to request for the permission of the Police Lagos Command, for the construction of sporting facilities on the Playing Ground.
As a safety ambassador, an honour that was bestowed on him at the state level, late Akinsanya committed his lifetime to practically ensure that people around him imbibe the principles of safety first. He sponsored information boards which he presented to government establishments, police stations, offices and other strategic locations. He also took it upon himself to give public enlightenment and education on the issue of safety at every forum that he finds himself.
Outside the football or sporting circle generally, Alhaji Akinsanya was also played the role of a father to any youth that comes his way, especially the numerous ones he met through his lovely children, Shamsideen, Monzor and Lookman (Pepc). He would not hesitate to fight with you if you are not well behaved, and be rest assured that he would be the first to praise you to the high heaven (where I strongly believe he is presently resting with the Olodumare), when you are doing good.
After his retirement, late Alhaji Akinsanya fully dedicated his life to community development, and played a very significant role in turning around the Tuagaga Community Development Association (CDA) with his resources, contacts and initiatives.
His performance earned him a re-election as the Chairman of the CDA. Under his leadership, the CDA successfully constituted and inaugurated the special developmental committees, and also ensured periodic meetings where issues affecting the community are discussed.
The CDA also succeeded in numbering houses on Bamgbose Street, courtesy of ‘Pepc Foundation’, reconstructed the culvert at Olufemi Eruja Street end/Solebo Estate CDA West gate, which was funded by Engr. Femi Eruja, with support from Mr Olu Oladunjoye, and ensured lightening and adequate security in his commuinty. Also under his leadership, the community was able to facilitate the construction of a borehole water project at the Borokinni Street for the general use of the community, courtesy of the Ikorodu Unique Lions Club.
Alhaji Akinsanya also facilitated palliative items to cushion the effects of the COVID – 19 lockdown on residents of the community, and annually ensured that his son’s foundation, PEPC Foundation, gives meals and other support to residents of Aga, during muslim and Christian fasting periods.
The hallmark of his administration as chairman of Tuagaga community was transparency, accountability, probity and open – door policy.
He was a loving and committed family man who loved his dear wife dearly and cared for his children. He gave them the best discipline just like he did to other people’s children.
During his lifetime, Alhaji Akinsanya won many awards among which are: Ikorodu Man of the Year Award (Runner – Up), 2006 Best Team Manager, Ikorodu LG Chairman’s Cup, 1993; Ikorodu Female Football Owners Merit award, 1999; Best Coordinator, Pepsi Academy, 2002, 2003 and 2005 and Football Administrator Award of Excellence, IKODASS, 2010, among others.
To me personally, he was a father, confidante, encourager, motivator and the greatest promoter of THE IMPACT brand. He was there when I decided to start the brand and gave all his support. He believed strongly in my capacity and always charged that I keep going and push harder.
As part of his motivation and encouragement, I was honoured with individual sporting award for my coverage, alongside other eminent personalities that were honored during the golden era of the GSDF in the 2000s.
I journeyed with him to several parts of Lagos State and several other parts of Southwest, to cover football matches as well as sporting and safety initiative programmes. He was a lively man, and time spent with him is always a quality and educative one.
We were together in his house about two months ago, and I never expected that would be the last time we would meet. I regretted my inability to see him before his death due to personal challenges and time, but I will take solace in the fact that he greatly impacted and contributed immensely to my development which I will forever be grateful for.
Rest on dear father, encourager, foremost promoter of THE IMPACT brand, mentor and a man of all season, Alhaji Kolawole Akinsanya.
May Olodumare grants you eternal rest. Ase Edumare!
Kunle Adelabu is the Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper.
