In a landmark move, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved the allocation of plots of land to the victorious players and officials of the 1998 Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) team, fulfilling a promise made 26 years ago by the state’s then-military administrator, Compol Amen Oyakhire.
The decision has brought joy and relief to the team, which achieved historic success by winning the Nigeria Premier League and the West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup in 1998, marking Nigeria’s only continental trophy that year.
The 1998 3SC squad, under the chairmanship of the late Bode Oyewole, was promised cash rewards of ₦1 million and a plot of land each for their remarkable achievements. While the cash reward was fulfilled, the land allocation remained pending through successive administrations, leaving the players and officials waiting for decades.
Governor Makinde’s approval of the land allocation has been hailed as a testament to his administration’s commitment to redressing past injustices and honoring excellence, hard work, and dedication.
The beneficiaries include notable players such as Sunday Adu (captain), Andrew Aihkomogbe, Shanka Ugwah, Eric Ejiofor, Niyi Elegbede, and others, as well as officials like Barr. Owolabi Salami.
The list also includes posthumous beneficiaries such as Dimeji Adenekan, Mojeed Azees, Pius Daniel, Jossy Ladipo, and Bode Oyewole, whose contributions to the club’s legacy remain cherished.
Akin Maxwell Makinde, the 3SC secretary from 1997 to 1999, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde, describing the decision as a bold step to correct a long-standing oversight. “This government has shown it values those who serve Oyo State meritoriously and has the fear of God and compassion for the governed,” he stated.
The players and officials now await the implementation and allocation of their plots, along with Certificates of Occupancy from the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development.
The move has sparked widespread praise, with many commending Governor Makinde for honoring the warriors who brought pride to Oyo State and Nigeria in 1998.