Real generousity lies on giving all to the future – Albert Camus
By Akeem Busari
Beyond anything, inheritance and the abilities to use it maximally, for the benefits of the society is uncommon in modern times. That aptly describes the life of Chief Yemi Idowu, son of late businessman, football promoter and philanthropist, Chief Nathaniel Idowu, who led the formation of professional football, now know as NPFL in 1990.
Chief Yemi Idowu is a renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist and sports developer. Idowu is a successful businessman with interests in banking, resl estste and manufacturing. He is a patron of Nigeria School Sports Federation and the founder of the impactful Nathaniel Idowu Foundation.
For many years, Nigerian football has been on a downward slope. It is not for a lack of talents or human capacity resources. And It is also, not because the country lacks genuinely concerned and passionate sportspreneur and investors.
The present state of Nigeria football ecosystem, is acidic and not encouraging for the resourceful and experienced technocrats, to attempt any form of entry to render the needed expertise support to take our football away from its quagmire.
For anything worth mentioning in terms of selfless services and contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, many names would readily come to the minds. Some, however, are not loud or boisterous, but their impressive strides on practically all the major facets of our national life, can only be celebrated and respected.
Many would recall the journey of Nigeria into the world of professional football. And it actually started in 1990, when the iconic businessman, philanthropist and football administrator, Chief Nathaniel Idowu led the movement. The rest, they said, is history.
Even as it is widely argued, a lion can never give birth to a goat. That amply testifies to the immense contributions of Chief Yemi Idowu, a scion of the renowned late football administrator who paved the way for the present status of Nigeria football league.
Fearless and passionate about football, and from successfully conquering several corporate boardrooms battles with aplomb, he dared into where many giants have seemingly failed. From his involvement as a strong founding member of the defunct of the highly-rated Lagos Youth League, that produced several football stars for the country, his team Nath Boys, was equally a strong force and one of its many products, include Super Eagles midfield maestro and captain Wilfred Ndidi.
The passion, intelligence, smartness, resourcefulness and philanthropic nature of Chief Yemi Idowu, came to the fore, when he funded and constructed the largest football facility in Nigeria, located at the densely populated Ajegunle City, in Lagos State, through the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation.
The facility renamed the New Maracana stadium has 19 pitches that includes 10, 5-aside fields and 8, 7-side pitches and one full size field in the Tolu area of Ajegunle.
The Nathaniel Idowu Foundation recently sponsored a 10-week basic football training programme for young girls, aged 8 to 15 years tagged ‘Let Her Play’, in conjunction with the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Sports Council. It also successfully held the Nathaniel Idowu-Ajegunle U14 football tournament.
And in continuation of the several life-changing initiatives of the foundation, is planning a series of activities including a summer camp for school students tagged ‘Nathaniel Idowu Summer Camp’, to be followed by the first edition of Nathaniel Idowu Unity Cup, for football clubs in Lagos and its environs.
And without a doubt, this great and unassuming Nigerian patriot believes unrepentantly, that the Nigerian youth has tge potentials to rule the world. And this is coming from a shining light over the perennial darkness looming over the future of youth and sports development in Nigeria.
