Better is the end of a thing thereof than the beginning.
The Yeye Kemi Nelson Memorial 5-aside football competition ended glamorously amid pomp and pageantry as party leaders, political sons, and daughters of the late Yeye Kemi Nelson trooped out to be part of the first ever event to immortalize the great leader and Amazon who left the world 2 years ago.
The soccer, event which kicked off on 25th July, 2024, ended on the 25th August, 2024, as the third place final and the final matches were played respectively.
Dignitaries who attended the memorial event showered encomuums on the organizer, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), for upholding and not forgetting the legacies of late Yeye Kemi Nelson.
The dignitaries included but not limited to; Daddy Nelson, the husband of the deceased, Mr. Ogunlende, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, who was also the chairman of the occasion, Engr. Abiodun Taiwo, former Sole Administrator, Ikeja LGA, Engr. Akinola, Chief Ologunde, Alhaji Adeokun, Alhaja Ogun, Alhaja Abioro, Baba Seriki, Hon. Agbosasa, Dr. Tawak, Prince Olufon, Hon. Wale Odunlami, Hon. Wahab Owokoniran, Chief Amure, Mrs. Toyin Obaseki, Alhaji Lateef Ajenifuja, Ope Eko, SSA to the Lagos State governor on Youth Mobilization, many party leaders and stalwarts too numerous to mention.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion eulogised the late Yeye Kemi Nelson for being a great mother and humanitarian, which is what is evident after her demise. He admonished those seated to do good and impact lives while alive so that when they are gone, people can always say good things about them and immortalize them. He thanked the organizers for putting up such a wonderful initiative as soccer is a unifying factor among all ages.
The organizer of the football competition, who is also the SLG, Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), in his speech thanked the Almighty God for the provision and capacity to put together such an historic event in the memory of his political godmother and benefactor, who impacted his life when she was alive. He thanked all those who supported both in cash and kind. AKOD went further to say that Yeye Kemi Nelson will not be forgotten as there are many initiatives that will be done in her name in the nearest future and assured the Nelson family that they will be carried along in ensuring that the name Kemi Nelson gets the desired attention. In his final words, SLG Dauda said together Ikeja LGA and indeed Lagos State can be taken to greater heights.
The third place match was won by Balogun FC while the final match was won by the Alausa team and the first runner up was the Anifowose team.
The youths of Ikeja expressed their gratitude to AKOD for the opportunity to express their talents through the competition. They also pledged to work and cooperate with AKOD for many more youthful initiatives as it unites and promotes the teeming youths of Ikeja.