Eight officials elected to steer the affairs of the association for the next three years received their certificates of return during the colourful ceremony.

Friends, well-wishers, and stakeholders of the association were in attendance as the association’s legal adviser, Ilyas Agboola, administered the oath of office to the new executives.

Speaking at the event, President Alhaji Salmon Akinbo, who was returned to office, assured members that the new administration would implement reforms and introduce a functional system that would benefit the association in all areas. He also expressed gratitude to members for their unwavering support.

“We will build on the achievements already recorded. There is a roadmap in place, and we will continue to put structures that will make our environment more habitable for members,” he said.

Akinbo also stressed the need for the association to participate in football events across the country in order to strengthen its presence and position among All-Stars football bodies nationwide.

To improve accessibility and communication, he revealed that a website has been developed for the association, adding that engagement through media and digital platforms will also be intensified.

He also singled out the Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association and Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, for special praise.

According to him, the FA Chairman has done a tremendous job in repositioning football in the state while also uplifting many football stakeholders.

Alhaji Akinbo further commended the Electoral Committee headed by ex-international and former Abiola Babes F.C. player, Alhaji Bolaji Adisa, popularly known as Fischer, for conducting what he described as a seamless and credible electoral process.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Chairman of the Ogun State Football Association, Ganiyu Majekodunmi, who was ably represented, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Hon. Tunde Delu, and the Director of Administration and Supply at the Ogun State Sports Council, Mr. Adewale Adedokun, among others.

Certificates of return were presented to the newly sworn-in executives by Hon. Tunde Delu, who charged the association to remain proactive and committed while assuring them of the government’s continued support.

During the event, a moment of silence was observed in honour of a former influential member of the association, Alhaji Hakeem Akintunde, a former chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, who recently passed away after a brief illness. The gathering also paid tribute to Segun Agbayewa popularly known as Garba.

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The election, held at Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero, on Saturday, March 28, 2025, ran smoothly with Akinbo securing 46 votes.

Addressing the media after his victory, Alhaji Akinbo expressed profound satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the election, describing the process as peaceful and well-managed.

“I am highly delighted for the election and we thank God that it was a peaceful and well conducted election, I am very happy,” Alhaji Akinbo said.

Reflecting on his manifesto promises, Akinbo reiterated his commitment to building on his previous achievements and improving the association’s facilities.

He emphasised that he would ensure the association’s office is upgraded to provide a more comfortable and meaningful space for members to gather.

“Most importantly that as I am re-elected, I will improve what I have been doing before and make sure that our office will be renovated and be meaningful for us all to sit down and enjoy ourselves.”

He also highlighted welfare as the core priority of his administration.

“Welfarism is what is utmost for us and it is what this administration will be focused on,” he added.

The All Stars Football Association, Abeokuta, is a prominent organisation of veteran footballers and ex-professionals in the Ogun State capital.

It serves as both a social hub for retired players and a key stakeholder in the regional sports ecosystem, regularly organising training sessions and friendly matches at Muda Lawal Stadium to maintain physical fitness and promote mental well-being among its members.

Akinbo and seven other officials elected on Saturday will be sworn in on April 11, 2025, beginning a three-year tenure focused on enhancing the association’s operations and welfare programmes for retired footballers in Abeokuta.

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The process, which ran from 10:00AM to 10:30AM, was marked by orderly voting and full compliance with the Association’s electoral guidelines.

Alhaji Salmon Akinbo retained his position as President after securing 46 votes, while Kayode Somide (Coca Cola) emerged as Vice President with 45 votes.

Opakunle Abayomi, also known as Opa, was elected General Secretary with 42 votes, and Gbenga Olalusi, known as Gbengene, won the post of Assistant General Secretary with 45 votes.

The Treasurer position was closely contested, with Samzdeen Sodiya securing 27 votes over Oludare Joseph’s 19. Olasunkanmi Igbin, known as Suko, was elected Financial Secretary with 44 votes.

In the Public Relations Officer category, three candidates had initially contested, but Oyedele Adekunle stepped down, leaving Martins Edemirukaye, known as Osuko, to win with 39 votes, while Lawrence Onadeko, known as Onos, lost after polling four votes. Abiodun Obayemi, known as Obasco, was elected to the Welfare portfolio with 32 votes following the withdrawal of Babatunde Odelana.

The elections were chaired by Bolaji Adisa, a former Nigeria international and Abiola Babes player, who ensured the integrity of the process as Adewale Adedokun, Director of Administration and Supply at the Ogun State Sports Council, monitored the proceedings.

All eight officials were declared winners and are set to assume full duties following a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for April 11, 2025.

The All Stars Football Association, Abeokuta, which serves as a social and sporting hub for retired footballers in Ogun State, relies on its Executive Committee to oversee regular training sessions, friendly matches, and initiatives that promote the well-being of its members.

The newly elected officials are expected to continue this work, reinforcing the Association’s role as a key stakeholder in the region’s sporting landscape.

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