Date: 2018-03-27

It is said that you don't lead people only by what you say to them but by what they see you do. Leadership is an art expressed by demonstration of characters worthy of emulation, imitation and inspiration. A leader's job is to show the way, the bottom line is you cannot tell anything about the condition of a road until you have travelled through it yourself. In the very heart of the ancient city of Ilorin, kwara state in Nigeria is a man, an icon and a living legend who has seen it all and paid his dues as far as sports broadcasting and journalism is concerned.

As a member of the current affairs and debating society during his days in Government Secondary School Ilorin, Bayour Issah's writing and journalism passion and interest was born and thereafter he registered in London school of journalism where he bagged a diploma before enrolling at the prestigious kaduna polytechnics. He also attended the Federal Radio Coperation of Nigeria Training School and currently pursuing post graduate course in sports management.

The Dean of the sports faculty, as Bayour Issah likes to call himself, doesn't only exemplify all that leadership represents in mentorship and succession as far as sports journalism in Nigeria, the media consultant, seasoned sports journalist, veteran broadcaster and publisher of Sportspro magazine has deliberately carved a niche for himself in sports and in the media. The numerous awards winning sports administrator is not only admired by all and sundry for his humility, forthrightness and professionalism but his willingness to listen and always acomodate shades of opinions also stood him out.

"Mr Sport" as many of his admirers calls him, has distinguished himself as a renown sports administrator as well as a media professional in Nigeria. His Media House located along emir's road Ilorin, Kwara state has remained a resource centre, a sports library and a research centre that is always open to media professionals, sports journalists, trainees, athletes and football players who besiege the Sportspro office from across the country and beyond for consultations, research, mentorship, counselling and references.

Bayour Issah has been and has continued to be a source of inspiration, imitation and emulation to numerous aspiring and young sports journalists who look up to him for guidance and draws from his vast wealth of experience, immense wisdom and pool of knowledge of the renowned media guru who has inspired, trained and mentored hundreds of media and sports personalities who are currently doing well, earning a living as well as mentoring others. The Dean of the sports faculty has become a household name in Ilorin, kwara state and Nigeria as far as sports administration and journalism is concerned.

Mr sport's love for grassroot sporting activities has informed his decision and determination to reside in the city of Ilorin to continue to contribute his quota to grassroot sports development instead of relocating to Lagos, Abuja or abroad like many of his contemporaries.

The colossus in sports journalism who has travelled across the world to cover and report international sporting activities and tournaments like the World Cup, Olympics, Africa nations cup and many more has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he isn't just a media czar and an administrator per excellence, but also a loving, caring and committed father and husband.

oseniobaro@yahoo.com