Larry Izamoje: A Sports Broadcaster Par Excellence

Sports broadcasting has grown over the years with many practitioners gaining entrance into the industry. The Chairman and CEO of Brila FM, Dr. Larry Izamoje, will take his rightful place when the names of veteran sports broadcasters are mentioned in Nigeria.

In 2002, Izamoje founded Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM in Lagos. It became the first sports radio in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Before establishing the radio station, he had gathered experience in the field of sports journalism. From 1985, he worked as a freelance reporter under Ernest Okonkwo at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). It was during this period that he returned to the University of Lagos for his master’s degree.

Also, Dr. Larry Izamoje served as a sports reporter, promotions executive, and Deputy sports editor with Concord Press from 1985 to 1995. In the late 1990s, he joined the now defunct Mail newspaper as sports editor. Likewise, he worked shortly at DBN-TV Lagos.

Larry Izamoje: Background and Education

Izamoje was born on February 24, 1962 in Onitsha, Anambra state. He is the fourth of nine children. He had his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos in 1984. In 1986, he bagged a Master’s degree in Sociology from the same university. Furthermore, he received his doctorate degree from the Business School, Lausanne, Switzerland in 2012.

Achievements & Honours

Brila FM opened its first station in 2002 and went on to open a second station at Mpape Hill, Abuja in January 2007. Subsequently, Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM opened stations in Onitsha and Kaduna as part of its expansion program.

In 2007, Izamoje was honoured by the University of Lagos Alumni Association for his contribution to Nigerian society through sports journalism. Besides, in 1985, he won the NYSC Merit Award for Kano State.

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In 1995, he won the Sportswriter of the Year award from the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN). He got the NUJ/UAC award for excellence in journalism in 1998. In 2002, he bagged the Lagos Football Referees Society award for excellence in journalism.

His other awards include:

• Success Digest Male Entrepreneur of the year award (2002).
• 21st Century award for achievement in pioneering Sports Radio in Nigeria (2003).
• TeloComm Humanity award for service to the disabled in 2003 through 2006.
• International Foundation for Excellence award for contribution to mankind and nation building (2003).
• Sports Writer of the Year award from Sporting Champion in 2004.

In June 2004, he was the Olympic Torch bearer in Cairo when the Olympic Torch made its first visit to Africa since the inception of the modern Olympics. He was named an alumni exhibition and seminar attendee by the American National Association of Broadcasters, Las Vegas, in April 2005.

Izamoje travelled across the world to cover sports events in a career spanning over three decades. His style of reporting is unique and it stands him out among his peers. He is a role model to many who aspire to be sport broadcasters. He is married to Bridget and they are blessed with three children.

In his world, he has made a name for himself and provided a platform for others to hone their talent. A sports broadcaster par excellence he is, truly.