Adegbesan To Review Ikpeme’s New Book, Garba Hails Author’s Role In Eaglets’ Historic Triumph

Renowned psychologist and sports development expert, Professor Olufemi Adegbesan, is set to review a new book authored by sports administrator and psychologist Dr Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme at its public presentation in Abuja today. The event is scheduled to take place at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, with proceedings commencing at 12 noon.

Organisers said Adegbesan, a respected academic and immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Ibadan, was selected to review the publication because of his extensive contributions to psychology, education and sports development across Africa.

Appointed professor in 2012, Adegbesan currently serves as an adjunct professor at Pan African University and is the National President of the Sport Psychology Association of Nigeria. He has also contributed to the African Union’s sports development framework under Agenda 2063 and played a key role in designing a postgraduate sports management curriculum in Zambia.

The distinguished academic has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed scholarly articles, including publications in the prestigious British Journal of Sports Medicine, and has earned recognition as one of Nigeria’s leading authorities in sports psychology and education.

Ahead of the book launch, former Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba paid glowing tribute to Ikpeme, describing him as “an amazing psychologist, hardworking and straightforward man” whose contributions to Nigerian football often went unnoticed.

Garba also hailed Ikpeme as “a detribalised and complete Nigerian,” recalling his pivotal role in securing the Cross River State Government’s support for the national U-17 team’s preparations ahead of the 2013 African qualifiers and the FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign.

According to Garba, Ikpeme was among the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) administrative officials who facilitated the team’s camping and pre-tournament preparations in Calabar, an arrangement he said proved crucial to the Golden Eaglets’ success.

He noted that the support received in Cross River helped the team secure important victories over Niger, Guinea and Mali during the qualifying campaign before going on to conquer the world in the United Arab Emirates.

The Golden Eaglets eventually rewrote the record books by becoming the highest-scoring team in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, scoring 25 goals and conceding just four in seven matches on their way to lifting the title.

Garba attributed the achievement to the strong synergy that existed among members of the technical and administrative crew. He acknowledged the contributions of assistant coaches Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka Ugbade, goalkeeping coach Emeka Amadi, team doctor Deji Olarinoye, team secretary Tayo Egbaiyelo, media officer Morakinyo Abodunrin, team coordinator Suleiman Abubakar and captain Musa Muhammad, as well as the prompt payment of bonuses by the Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.

The veteran coach also reflected on an unfulfilled promise made by the Cross River State Government under former governor Senator Liyel Imoke to provide houses for members of the victorious squad.

Garba said documenting such experiences through books written by sports administrators was important for preserving Nigeria’s sporting history and providing valuable lessons for future generations.

The book presentation is expected to attract leading figures from sports, academia, government and the media, highlighting growing interest in documenting the stories behind some of Nigeria’s greatest sporting achievements.