Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi has vowed to make infrastructure development and nationwide talent discovery the cornerstone of his administration as the new President of the Nigeria Rowing, Canoe and Sailing Federation.
Ogunbiyi, who was elected unopposed after polling all 13 votes in a transparent election held at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, succeeds Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd). The election, described by stakeholders as one of the freest and fairest in recent times, also saw Mr. Kayode Abulazeez emerge as Vice President with 13 unanimous votes.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ogunbiyi commended the outgoing leadership for laying a strong foundation and steering the Federation to international recognition through consistent participation in global events, including Olympic qualifiers. He emphasized that the next phase of growth will focus on building world-class infrastructure and developing talent from all corners of the nation.
‘Nigeria is richly endowed with vast water resources, and these natural assets must be turned into hubs for sporting excellence,’ Ogunbiyi said. ‘We will invest in infrastructure that meets global standards and establish programs that discover, nurture, and empower athletes from every region of the country.’
The new president underscored that the Federation’s vision aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging to create a sustainable ecosystem that combines public and private sector support.
Acknowledging the long-standing challenge of poor maintenance culture, Ogunbiyi promised a dual approach – constructing new facilities while ensuring the proper maintenance and modernization of existing ones. He expressed confidence that, with focused investment and collaboration, Nigeria would witness a dramatic leap in rowing, canoeing, and sailing within the next two years.
Vice President Kayode Abulazeez echoed Ogunbiyi’s vision, stressing that robust infrastructure is essential for uncovering hidden talents across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
‘From Lagos Lagoon to River Niger and beyond, our waterways are a gift. The goal is to make rowing, canoeing, and sailing truly national sports accessible to all Nigerians,’ he said.