Sports promoter, Coach Bidemi Adeniji, dies in Ogbomoso
PanNigerianNews
2 min read
By Sunday ADEPOJU
A sports promoter, enthusiast and one of the prominent football coaches in Ogbomoso and its environs, Mr Bidemi Akintola Adeniji (popularly called Coach Abidemi) has died.
He died in Ogbomoso on Friday, April 23 and is survived by mother, wife, children and brothers.
He was the second son of Late Most Reverend Prophet Emmanuel A. Adeniji, the founder of Saint Michael Church of the Lord (Aladura), Odokoto, Ogbomoso (now Saint Michael Church of Christ).
Incidentally, Coach Bidemi’s elder brother, Reverend Prophet Femi Adeniji, and his younger brother, Pastor Theophilus Sola Adeniji from Ibadan, Oyo State capital, stepped into their father’s shoes, having received call to the ministry.
Like his father and siblings, Coach Bidemi was said to be an evangelist and he believed in the efficacy of prayers and thanksgiving.
At many levels, Coach Bidemi was known for his dexterity in handling teams ranging from U-10 to U-21 and teams of primary and secondary schools.
Among others, he was known to have pioneered female footballing in Ogbomoso and its environs.
He, pannigeriannews learnt, founded the Ajilete Queens, the first female football club in Ogbomoso and, arguably, in Oyo State.
Coach Bidemi was, until his death, a staff of Ogbomoso South local government area, Ogbomoso.
The final burial programme, which held on Monday, April 25 at his family church, Saint Michael Church of Christ, Odokoto, Ogbomoso, had in attendance political class, including former chairman of Ogbomoso South local government area, Hon. Isaac Olajide; clergymen; many of his colleagues, among others.
Describing him as an embodiment of good virtues, the preacher at the event who is also the younger brother of Coach Bidemi, Pastor Theophilus Sola Adeniji, extolled the virtues with which Coach Bidemi was endowed.
Like other attendees of the programme, he shared good and unpalatable memories of his brother whom he said had fought a good fight.
Pastor Adeniji stressed the relationship the late sports man had with all and sundry.
He said, “Our man lying here was a man of God. He was highly connected and exposed people around him to opportunities within and outside the sports constituencies.
“There was no office that he could not enter. He was fearless, indeed.
“Here, his book has been closed and it is all of you seated here who should move closer to God before death knocks the doors.”
