OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – It was pomp and pageantry at the “IYA EWE/ CHILDREN’S DAY and CEO Birthday Games and Fun Activities 2025”. The unique and impressive display of youth sports and sheer determination was a spectacle that set off in grand style at the two-day sports festival on Monday, June 9 through to June 10. The sports and entertainment extravaganza turned the Charlie-Marie Academy and Sports Arena at Eriyo, Ogijo, into a centre of ceremony with lots of fun, camaraderie, competitions, and boundless possibilities on display.
Day one of sporting engagement was in honour of the memory of Late Chief Mrs Alice Edowaiye Taylor, mother of the CEO/Proprietress of Charlie-Marie Group of Schools and Charlie-Marie Sports Academy, Ambassador Evangelist Adekunbi Akin-Taylor who explains the motive for the games. “IYA-EWE is a tribute to my late mother, who passed away in 1995. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her call to glory. I inaugurated an annual memorial sports festival in her honour, timed to coincide annually with Children’s Day celebration of every May 27.
Alice, my mother, was a dedicated Nursing Midwife, Matron, and Senior Health Administrator of Ogun State. She was a titled Chief known as “IYA-ABIYE” for her unwavering devotion to maternal and child welfare and called “IYA-EWE” as children naturally gravitated towards her.” “In many ways, I have followed in her footsteps, and it’s humbling to now be called “IYA-EWE”, a name that reflects my own commitment to nurturing and uplifting young lives.”
The final activities of the two day sports festival on 10 June was in honour of Adekunbi, the CEO/Proprietress of the Academy herself; to celebrate her 67th birthday in recognition of her service and enduring commitment to all grassroot children and adults.
“Yes as it is my birthday, we are equally celebrating what we have done so far with this sports Academy. It has not been easy, but we give all the glory to God Almighty. Everything you see here today, our facilities and group of schools were built to the glory of God and entirely financed by me. It has not been an easy journey, but through God’s grace and my dogged determination, we now have something meaningful to show for my efforts. We have all the reasons to celebrate. I sold my property in Lagos, and the proceeds were far from sufficient to complete the Academy project. We reached out to individuals and corporate organizations for support, but unfortunately, no mesningful assistance came our way”.
“I believe no child should be denied a future due to the circumstances of their birth or the economic challenges they face. Some of our athletes have to scavenge for scraps just to afford a meal, that is the harsh reality in many grassroots communities across Nigeria.”
“Driven by purpose and my never give up spirit, I sold my Guest House in Ile-Oluji, my ancestral hometown. The proceeds from that sale enabled us to make significant progress. Today, we have a mini-stadium with various facilities, including a multipurpose court for basketball, badminton, and tennis. We have a games room for Darts and board games like Chess, Scrabble, etc. We are exploring the inclusion of additional sports such as American football and boxing to broaden opportunities for our students. I have made a personal vow to raise champions from the hinterlands. I believe deeply in the untapped potential that resides in our grassroots, particularly among the youths. Our students have competed and excelled in various sporting events, including the MTN Champs, Lagos Access Marathon, and other inter state school challenges, where they have achieved commendable time records and won many medals.” says madam Adekunbi.
The two day event, solely sponsored by the CEO, obviously was more than just a carnival of games, sports, and entertainment. It was a strategic spirited effort aimed at harnessing the transformative power of sports, fun, and entertainment to support the mental and physical well-being of children and young people. It was a deliberate attempt at highlighting the purpose for which Charie-Marie Sports Academy was established and to sustain the tempo all year round, every year!
The positive impact of the academy on the students has been outstanding, and the testimonials are heartwarming. Examples are seven year old Temitope Oloyede, who participated in different track and field events to win several medals, including her taking part in the 200m race in the senior category despite being a primary two pupil, and finishing the race fourth! Academy students like Jesutofunmi, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Aminat, Tosin, Fatai, Rachel, Kowiat, and others had glowing testimonies to give. They all individually participated in track and field events and contributed to the medal haul for the Charlie-Marie Academy team. Their performances in numerous races have since soared.
“At Charlie-Marie, we are not just organizing events. We are planting seeds of greatness,” says Austin Orogun, the Academy Director. “Every race run and every ball kicked is a step towards a stronger, more confident generation.” Known affectionately as “Coach” by students and colleagues alike, Austin Orogun, brings a wealth of experience to his role as an educator, sports administrator, and passionate grassroots talent scout, with a heart for nurturing young athletes. Austin describes the academy as “a home for everyone.”
No doubt, the two day celebrations, which included a week long football competitions, is a testament to the progress of the Academy so far. The spirit of sportsmanship is certainly being nurtured as demonstrated through the various competitions. Every moment radiates purpose and competition while cheers echoed across the sport arena as kids leapt, sprinted, and danced their way through carefully curated activities that celebrated teamwork, resilience, and joy.
But behind the laughter lies a deeper mission. The Charlie-Marie Academy, a visionary private initiative, is setting a new standard for grassroots youth development throughout sports, with a focus on field and track disciplines, football, table tennis, basketball, darts, etc. The Academy is committed to identifying raw, homegrown talent and nurturing it into national and potentially international excellence.
The impact has been instantaneous right from the academy inauguration in 2023. Besides the impact on the young populace of the community, most residents and visitors alike believe that the presence of the Academy has been a huge blessing. The event also serves as a grassroots talent discovery for tomorrow’s gold-medal stories. For many participants, it is their first opportunity to compete in such an organized sporting environment, setting the foundation for future excellence.
Importantly, the double games ceremonies align with global conversations around youth health and holistic development, echoing research that supports physical activity as a vital pillar in cognitive growth, emotional well-being, and leadership development in young people.
Set against abackdrop of community spirit, upbeat music, and proud parents waving from the sidelines, the events were like a festival that works like an incubator for future stars.
As Nigeria looks ahead to a more vibrant and empowered generation, initiatives like Charlie-Marie Academy’s sporting activities should be supported by all and sundry as they are a proof that the track to greatness doesn’t just start at the finish line, it starts at the grassroots, with passion, grit, and a dream of becoming future champions.
As the cheers linger and the echoes of the drums play on, the message of the IYA EWE/CEO Birthday Games ring loud and clear that sports is more than a pastime, it is a path to empowerment, resilience, and a better future.
Read Also: A Decade of Educational Excellence: The Charlie-Marie Story
Below is how we can help you promote your event, organization and products/services . This is the best you can get from this global platform of over decades experience.
PACKAGE:
First Leg: Full page Promotional package showcasing your Invitation Card, Banner/Flex, 3 different Photographs and brief of the coming event. Also your picture/Name will be the headline News in digivation blog(Pre-Event)
Second Leg: Full Page Promotional package of the event showcasing 5 different photographs plus short audio/visual clip of the event. Also org. picture/Name will be the headline news our blog(Post-Event).
Rate: N150,000 Only For Both Pre and Post Events. (Rate is only Applicable during the Promotional Period)
For further inquiries, contact the undersigned:
Hilary Damissah (Editor)
Mojisola Alabi ( business Development)
Email: digivationtv@gmail.com
Chief Imo Ukwa(Advert Consultant) 08063779938
