Adokiye Amiesimaka is a retired Nigerian football superstar, public administrator, and legal luminary. Born in Lagos on November 24, 1956, has left footprints on the sands of time as far as football development in Nigeria is concerned. He had distinguished himself as a fine footballer from secondary school when he captained the CMS Grammar School, Lagos to a memorable victory over St. Finbarr’s College, Lagos in a crucial cup final.
During his active footballing career, Adokiye played for Rangers Football Club of Enugu, Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt (now Rivers United), the defunct African Continental Bank Football Club (ACB) of Lagos, and the national team, the Green Eagles.
A left-wing midfielder, he was a member of the Nigerian national team, the Green Eagles (renamed Super Eagles) which won the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also played for the national team in the course of the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. He has also been a football administrator, having served as Chairman of Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt, and member of several committees on the development of football in Nigeria.
Adokiye was able to find enough time to combine his career with academics, after securing admission into the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. After successful legal studies, and being called to the Bar, he is presently an accomplished legal practitioner. Adokiye who hails from Rivers State, rose to the rank of Director of Public Prosecution in the state public service. Later he was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in the State.
In recognition of his contributions to football development in Nigeria, a stadium was named after him. Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, built in 2015 by the Rivers State Government, has a seating capacity of 38,000 with all stands covered and two training pitches.
Adokiye Amiesimaka, who is also a Chief, is a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
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