Kunle Soname, OFR: Recipient of the ACE Award for Achievement, Community & Excellence
Kunle Soname is a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist whose visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on sports, business, and public service. As the first Nigerian to own a European football club and the founder of a commercial empire, his career is a testament to building sustainable infrastructure and fostering talent on a global scale. For his embodiment of these values, he is a distinguished recipient of the ACE Award, recognizing his outstanding Achievement, profound Community impact, and unwavering Excellence both at home and in the diaspora.
🏆 Achievement: Pioneering Business and Sports
Soname has consistently broken new ground, building world-class organizations from the ground up.
· Business & Aviation: He is the founder and chairman of Bet9ja, which grew into one of Nigeria's most successful sports betting companies. He later founded ValueJet, a domestic airline launched in 2022, expanding his footprint in the critical aviation sector.
· Football Ownership (A First): In 2015, he made history by acquiring a majority stake in Portugal's C.D. Feirense, becoming the first Nigerian owner of a European football club.
· Domestic Football Triumph: He founded Remo Stars FC, which he led from its inception in 2004 to its first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2024–25 season, a monumental achievement in Nigerian club football.
· Elite Talent Development: His Beyond Limits FA academy has become a powerhouse, winning international titles like the Gothia Cup and successfully exporting talent to top global clubs, including Inter Milan and Flamengo.
🌍 Community: Building Infrastructure and Opportunity
Soname's commitment to community is demonstrated through tangible investments in youth development and public service.
· Public Service: He served as Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA from 2003 to 2011, gaining firsthand experience in local governance and community development.
· Sports Infrastructure: He personally funded the construction of the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne—a state-of-the-art facility with training pitches, residential housing for 112 players, and a clinic—providing a professional environment for Nigerian youth.
· Philanthropy: His generosity spans from donating a camp clinic to the NYSC to supporting various youth initiatives, leading to his induction as a patron at the University of Lagos in 2022.
✨ Excellence: Leadership and National Recognition
His impact is consistently recognized at the highest levels, setting a standard for leadership that the ACE Award was created to honor.
· National Honor: Soname was conferred with the national honor of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his significant contributions to national development.
· Professionalizing Football: He has revolutionized African football management by introducing sustainable, professional business models through his club ownership and academy structures.
· Diaspora Impact: By bridging the gap between Nigerian talent and the global football market, he has excelled as a leader and ambassador, creating pathways and opportunities on the world stage.
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