Management of August 22nd Communication Links, publisher of Edu-biznews led by its Managing Editor, Abdulfatai Sobande and trio of veteran sportswriters in Nigeria including Deacon Kunle Oluwusi, Biodun Alabi and Wole Otayemi have applauded the immeasurable contributions of legendary former national basketball team coach Chief Alabi Adelanwa to the growth of sports in the country, as he marks his 87th birthday this Saturday, September 5, 2026 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital
The founder of Edu-biznews in a Congratulatory message, acknowledged the exceptional contributions of Prince Adelanwa in talent discovery hunt across the country, which saw him, producing another generation of legends, the likes of former NBA Stars, Akeem Olajuwon and Olumide Oyedeji who later became former captain of D'Tigers and other several players who played for the senior national basketball men's team
The celebrant according to Sobande, has been very consistent in his passion for development of basketball across the country, particularly in Ogun and Lagos States, describing him as a big blessing to the nation who continues to tap from his rich experiences as a Technocrat , administrator and umpire who has traveled to several countries in Africa, Europe and America for various Federation of International Basketball Association FIBA assignments and organized competitions across the world
Also, the General Manager at MAPOLY Radio, Abeokuta, Deacon Kunle Oluwusi, Assistant General Manager of the Ogun State Television,OGTV, Biodun Alabi and Director of Programmes of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC, Wole Otayemi in their separate messages praised the Prince of Owu-Kingdom, Chief Adelanwa for his unparalleled commitment to the growth of basketball and sports in the country
Deacon Oluwusi, a former National Vice President and Ogun State Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) described Chief Adelanwa as a consumate Basketball player during his active playing days
"Chief Alabi Adelanwa was a consumate Basketball player during his active playing days. His excellence and acumen led him to coach top Military men at the Dodan Barracks during the tenure of the Nation's former Military Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon"
"He had coached numerous Basketball players, too numerous to mention"', he stated
Chief Adelanwa according to Oluwusi, is a very amiable and sociable individual who mixes freely with all ages.
"I congratulate him on this milestone and pray that God will grant him a very sound health as continue to enjoy his old age", he prayed
For Biodun Alabi, the Assistant General Manager of OGTV (News and Current Affairs) and former State Chairman of SWAN, Chief Alabi Adelanwa has been a completely down to earth man to him, since their paths crossed in the sports history of Ogun as a state
"Very respectful and appreciative personality of my contributions to the growth of OGUN state sports. And that was after I had read about his legend in Nigeria's basketball history. May he continue to live in good health and in grace", he prayed
Similarly, the Director of Programmes , Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), Wole Otayemi described Coach Alabi Adelanwa as an household name in the slamming and dunking game in Nigeria and indeed Africa.
"Coach Adelanwa has spent almost sixty years in the game of basketball.
Having helped in discovering stars like Hakkem Olajuwon, Oyedeji and several other local and international players, Coach Adelanwa helped shape the careers of so many administrators including the current President of Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Engr Musa Kida, his Vice Babs Ogunade amongst other people," Otayemi noted
"The Owu prince is a friend of so many sports Journalists including Biodun Alabi, Kunle Oluwusi, late Peter Okodua, Rotimi Oduniyi late Hakeem Akintunde, Fatai Sobande and his adopted son Wole Otayemi", he concluded
Chief Adelanwa was on June 27, 2026, conferred as Baba-Ijo of Africa Church Cathedral Abeokuta in recognition of his numerous contributions to the growth of the society and the church
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