At the ceremony held in Calabar, the State capital on Wednesday, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON eulogised Ikpeme, saying without mincing words that the award was “in recognition of your outstanding achievements and contribution to the development of sport in our State and the Nation.”
Ikpeme, a former senior lecturer in the University of Calabar, who also served as Sole Administrator of Cross River State Sports Council, assumed duties as Deputy Secretary General (Technical) at the Nigeria Football Federation early 2007, before becoming the Director of Technical three years ago.
He is credited with convincing the Government of Cross River State to adopt the U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, for the team’s preparations and qualification matches for the 2013 African U-17 Championship and the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where the team won a record fourth world title for the country.
He also played a huge role in convincing the Government of Cross River State in hosting the home matches of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles in the team’s quest to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (which it won in South Africa) and the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.
In recognition of Ikpeme’s efforts, the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari presented him with a letter of commendation in November 2012.
