Adegbesan to Review Ikpeme’s New Book at Abuja Launch
Book Launch Brings Sporting Icons Together in Abuja
Renowned sports psychologist Professor Olufemi Adegbesan will serve as book reviewer on Thursday at the public presentation of Dr. Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme’s latest work, organisers have confirmed.
The event is scheduled for the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, beginning at 12 noon.
Adegbesan, who was appointed professor in 2012, is the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ibadan and an adjunct professor at the Pan African University.
He has contributed to the African Union’s sports development framework under Agenda 2063 and helped design a postgraduate sports management curriculum in Zambia.
Currently serving as national president of the Sport Psychology Association of Nigeria, Adegbesan has published more than 90 peer-reviewed articles, including in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Meanwhile, legendary youth coach Manu Garba hailed Ikpeme as ‘an amazing psychologist, hardworking and straightforward man,’ describing him as ‘a detribalised and complete Nigerian.’
Garba credited Ikpeme as one of the Nigeria Football Federation administrators who secured Cross River State Government’s support for the Golden Eaglets’ preparations ahead of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Garba recalled that the arrangement in Calabar contributed significantly to victories over Niger, Guinea and Mali in qualifying, before the team went on to set a record as the highest-scoring side in U-17 World Cup history.
The Eaglets netted 25 goals in seven matches, conceding only four, on their way to lifting the trophy in the UAE.
He attributed the success to the strong working relationship among the technical and administrative staff, including assistant coaches Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka Ugbade, goalkeeping coach Emeka Amadi, team doctor Deji Olarinoye, physiotherapist, team secretary Tayo Egbaiyelo, media officer Morakinyo Abodunrin, team coordinator Suleiman Abubakar, and the Musa Muhammad-led squad.
Garba also noted the importance of prompt bonus payments under the Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.
The former coach added that a pledge of houses for the victorious squad by the Cross River State Government under Senator Liyel Imoke remains unfulfilled.
He stressed that documentation of such episodes by administrators like Ikpeme provides a valuable record of how Nigeria manages its sporting heritage.
