The Proprietress of Kayrom Lee Squash and Fitness Centre, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde has been honoured with an Icon of Development and Philanthropy Award.
Ambassador Ayinde, who is also the Patroness of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Oyo State chapter was honoured by a Lagos based City Herald Magazine on Thursday.
Presenting the award to Ambassador Ayinde, Publisher of the magazine, Mr. Adegboyega Oguntunwase, said that the award was in recognition and appreciation of her contributions to development of sports in Oyo State.
The Magazine’s Editorial Consultant, Dr. Dickson Bewaji added that he was really impressed with the Chief Executive Officer of the Kayrom Lee Gym and Fitness Centre for renovating the swimming pool side of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and promoting the aquatic game among kids in the state.
Also speaking at the award ceremony, the Secretary of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter, Adewale Tijani, congratulated the awardee who doubles as the Association’s Patroness, saying her humanitarian services which cut across tribes and religions fetched her award of honour.
Tijani recalled with delight the numerous assistance SWAN and sports journalists had enjoyed from her.
Other speakers also eulogized Ambassador Ayinde for her massive philanthropy and promotion of grassroots sports in the state and beyond.
Some of the guests who were friends and beneficiaries of her benevolence including the delegation of the Christmas Committee of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, commended the fitness expert cum philanthropist for her selfless service to humanity through empowerment of indigent youths and upliftment of the downtrodden underprivileged.
In her response, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde said her decision to help the underprivileged in the society was inspired by her divine rise from a humble beginning to become an owner of a business empire.
The business tycoon, who is into agriculture, fashion, sports promotion and hospitality business, thanked the City Herald Magazine, for the honour, saying that the award would spur her to continue to help the indigent youths through empowerment and promotion of sports.
Aside from being the initiator of the Imperial Initiative for Human Development (IIHD), Ambassador Romoke Ayinde is also the pioneer chairperson of the recently established Oyo State Netball Association.
She also recently inaugurated the netball game and a science laboratory for secondary school students in the state.
