The Author
My name is Segun. My friends call me Big SegAds Corner
Earlier today…
Blessed by Uncle Sam Amuka!
Every day comes with its own package of surprises in my life.
Today is very special.
You may have to wait, however, for the gist in my syndicated column in the Vanguard this weekend. For now, join me to celebrate.
At noon today, from the blue, emissaries from Vanguard Newspaper visited me and presented me with a gift straight from Heaven. One of the most respected national publications whose publisher is one of the most respected, accomplished and distinguished Nigerians that I have ever met in my life, Uncle Sam Amuka, sent ‘angels’ with good tidings and a celestial gift to me.
The Editorial Board of the national newspaper, led by the Deputy Editor, Adekunle Adekoya, came to present me with a letter conferring on me the most prestigious Vanguard ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
The actual ceremony comes up during the ‘Vanguard Personality of the Year’ event in Lagos on January 8, 2027.
It was a very emotional morning for me - a mixture of disbelief, sincere appreciation and utmost humility
In the picture, from the left are:
Tony Ubani, Deputy, Group Sports Editor; Your’s Truly, trainee reporter; Prince Osuagwu, member of the Editorial board; and Adekunle Adekoya, Deputy Group Editor.
Segun Odegbami
Blessed by Uncle Sam Amuka!
Every day comes with its own package of surprises in my life.
Today is very special.
You may have to wait, however, for the gist in my syndicated column in the Vanguard this weekend. For now, join me to celebrate.
At noon today, from the blue, emissaries from Vanguard Newspaper visited me and presented me with a gift straight from Heaven. One of the most respected national publications whose publisher is one of the most respected, accomplished and distinguished Nigerians that I have ever met in my life, Uncle Sam Amuka, sent ‘angels’ with good tidings and a celestial gift to me.
The Editorial Board of the national newspaper, led by the Deputy Editor, Adekunle Adekoya, came to present me with a letter conferring on me the most prestigious Vanguard ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
The actual ceremony comes up during the ‘Vanguard Personality of the Year’ event in Lagos on January 8, 2027.
It was a very emotional morning for me - a mixture of disbelief, sincere appreciation and utmost humility
In the picture, from the left are:
Tony Ubani, Deputy, Group Sports Editor; Your’s Truly, trainee reporter; Prince Osuagwu, member of the Editorial board; and Adekunle Adekoya, Deputy Group Editor.
Segun Odegbami
‘Buka T’ continues the work of Lee Evans’.
This is for your Sunday delight.
‘Buka T’ is the nickname of a very well-known, hardworking, and very accomplished Coach in the firmament of Nigerian Track and Field.
He was a former national Decathlete, former Police Officer, and the coach that discovered and trained Tobi Amusan during her formative years in athletics in Ijebu Ode. He has nurtured many other athletes to national and international prominence.
Last month, ‘Buka T’ left a very lucrative job as a coach in a regular secondary school in Port Harcourt to take up residency in Wasimi Orile as Director of the Track and Field academy in the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy, SOCA.
He takes over the role introduced by legendary African/American Double Olympic Gold medalist, World Champion and multiple World record holder, Lee Edward Evans.
Lee served in that capacity for two years, before he was snatched away by death some three years ago.
Last month, ‘Buka T’ joined SOCA to fulfill his passion for developing athletes and his dream to continue Lee Evans’ mission to produce the next generation of Nigeria’s best international sprinters and jumpers from a specialized sports secondary school in Nigeria.
He has embarked on that journey with truly remarkable strides: identifying and selecting his wards; constructing and fabricating indigenous facilities on the campus; designing special programs for the different age groups and classes; weekly training on the standard facilities for his selected boys and girls at the MKO Abiola International Sports Arena.
Last night, I went to see the work he has been supervising in the construction of a unique 200-meters grass track aesthetically embedded within the school environment. It will be a beauty to behold when completed in the next few months.
The ‘Adewale Bashir Adeniyi Gymnasium’ is already being put to good use by students in the senior classes only!
In the picture is ‘Buka T’, alias Ayodele Solaja, against the background of the setting sun yesterday, standing between the new grass tracks under construction inside SOCA!
Segun Odegbami
This is for your Sunday delight.
‘Buka T’ is the nickname of a very well-known, hardworking, and very accomplished Coach in the firmament of Nigerian Track and Field.
He was a former national Decathlete, former Police Officer, and the coach that discovered and trained Tobi Amusan during her formative years in athletics in Ijebu Ode. He has nurtured many other athletes to national and international prominence.
Last month, ‘Buka T’ left a very lucrative job as a coach in a regular secondary school in Port Harcourt to take up residency in Wasimi Orile as Director of the Track and Field academy in the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy, SOCA.
He takes over the role introduced by legendary African/American Double Olympic Gold medalist, World Champion and multiple World record holder, Lee Edward Evans.
Lee served in that capacity for two years, before he was snatched away by death some three years ago.
Last month, ‘Buka T’ joined SOCA to fulfill his passion for developing athletes and his dream to continue Lee Evans’ mission to produce the next generation of Nigeria’s best international sprinters and jumpers from a specialized sports secondary school in Nigeria.
He has embarked on that journey with truly remarkable strides: identifying and selecting his wards; constructing and fabricating indigenous facilities on the campus; designing special programs for the different age groups and classes; weekly training on the standard facilities for his selected boys and girls at the MKO Abiola International Sports Arena.
Last night, I went to see the work he has been supervising in the construction of a unique 200-meters grass track aesthetically embedded within the school environment. It will be a beauty to behold when completed in the next few months.
The ‘Adewale Bashir Adeniyi Gymnasium’ is already being put to good use by students in the senior classes only!
In the picture is ‘Buka T’, alias Ayodele Solaja, against the background of the setting sun yesterday, standing between the new grass tracks under construction inside SOCA!
Segun Odegbami
