- November 29, 2025
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: Latest News, Sports, Tertiary Education, University
The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Sports Pavilion came alive this weekend as the Grand Finale of the 2025 Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola Athletics Festival (YAMBAF) took centre stage.
The colourful event, now in its 13th edition, was held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, and drew a vibrant mix of students, staff, community members and sports enthusiasts from within and outside the university with outstanding performers receiving varying prizes including cash rewards.
Yeye Aare, CEO of ABUAD Ventures and founder of the Festival, noted that her desire to encourage young Nigerians to embrace sports inspired her to establish the festival.
She revealed further that the competition has continued to thrive because sports play a vital role in nurturing discipline, building character and steering youths away from social vices.
“Sports development remains a powerful tool for unlocking the potential of Nigerian youths and creating pathways for economic growth and national pride” Yeye Aare added.
The Vice-Chancellor in her remarks commended the Directorate of Sports, led by Prof. Edward Babalola, for the excellent organisation of the festival. “You have inherited from your mother not only goodness, intelligence, care and love, but also the enduring spirit of sportsmanship and championship,” she said before presenting a cheque of five hundred thousand naira to Emechebe Blessing, the 2025 ABUAD Outstanding Female Athlete.
She also offered heartfelt prayers and tributes to Yeye Aare, whom she described as a paragon with an unquenchable passion for sports, philanthropy and positive societal impact.
Other top management and Principal Officers present at the event included, the Registrar, Lady Christie Oluborode, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Ebunlomo Omiyale; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Christopher Aina; the Bursar, Pastor Modupe Babalola; and the University Librarian, Dr. Roselyn Subair, alongside Provosts, Directors and Heads of Units.
This year’s festival, which commenced on Thursday, November 27, 2025, was more than a showcase of speed and strength; it was a celebration of community, talent and ABUAD’s commitment to raising well-rounded individuals. Attendees were treated to an engaging blend of track events, dance performances, gift presentations, cash prizes and memorable moments of camaraderie that brought the entire ABUAD family together in a wholesome celebration of sportsmanship and unity.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda OLARINDE, FCArb, FCAI, addressing the gathering at the Sport Pavilion, during YAMBAF 2025, November 29, 2025
The University Bursar, Pastor Modupe Babalola, presents a special frame dedicated to the mother of the University and CEO ABUAD Ventures, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA flanked by the Deputy Vice (Academic), Prof. Christopher Aina and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI at YAMBAF, 2025.
L-R: The University Bursar, Pastor Modupe Babalola; Mother of the University and CEO ABUAD Ventures, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde; and the 2025 ABUAD Outstanding Female Athlete, YAMBAF 2025, Saturday November 29, 2025
Gallant men, jubilantly representing their Colleges, Directorates and Units on the tracks
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI and the Mother of the University and CEO ABUAD Ventures, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, stepping out to join other athletes on the tracks at YAMBAF, 2025.
The Mother of the University and CEO ABUAD Ventures, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, in celebratory mood before leaving the Sport Pavilion venue of YAMBAF, 2025