9th June, 2010
Lagos State Government says it named the Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium after Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas because of his good deeds and selfless service to humanity.
Speaking during the 75th birthday celebration of Okoya-Thomas, the Asoju Oba of Lagos State, Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele said the celebrant deserves the honour because the sports philanthropist and industrialist has done a lot to develop sports not only in Lagos but Nigeria as a whole.
Adeniji-Adele said Okoya-Thomas has single-handedly sponsored and sustained the annual Asoju Oba Senior Table Tennis Championship in the last 42 years, hence the honour bestwoed on the Chancellor of the Lagos State University, LASU.
The celebrant, a Knight of St. Sylvester, expressed gratitude to the state government for honouring him for the second time with the naming of the Onikan Stadium tennis court after him. He urged other eminent Nigerians to do their best to develop sports in the country.
Yesterday’s event was attended by the Deputy Governor, of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, who represented Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola; the Oba of Lagos State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Chairman of Eleganza, Rasaq Akanni Okoya-Thomas; Prince Bola Ajibola, Justice Oguntade, Chief Folarin Coker and Hon. H. B. Fasinro among others
—Adebobola  Alawode