NSC Boss, Shehu Dikko leads sports community to University of Ibadan to brainstorm on sports infrastructure

By Olaoluwa Aro 

Newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko will on Tuesday 29th October, lead the Sports Community into the Premises of University of Ibadan, Nigeria's Premier University, to listen to a Personality Guest Lecture on the Challenges of Sports Infrastructure in the country. 

The Lecture which is being organised by the Faculty of Education, will be delivered by former President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick. 

Mallam Shehu will lead a crew that includes President of the NFF Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, General Secretary, Dr Muhammed Sanusi, NFF Director of Communications Dr Ademola Olajire and other notable personalities, in what will be his first outing since his appointment as Chairman of the National Sports Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 23rd of October. 

While there, Mallam Shehu Dikko will use the opportunity to brainstorm with scholars and stakeholders from the academic community on the many ways in which sports can be revived and elevated in Nigeria.

As a product of the Ahmadu Bello University, Mallam Dikko appreciates the contribution of the University of Ibadan to improving the state of the Nigerian economy, by constantly producing distinctive individuals, researchers and platforms such as this.

Governor Sanwo-Olu says Lagos cherishes right to host Aisha Buhari Cup, promises fabulous tournament

The Government of Lagos State is delighted that the ‘Centre of Excellence’ was chosen to host the inaugural edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament and will leave no stone unturned to stage a tournament for the beautiful side of memories, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured on Friday.

Speaking when Members of the Local Organizing Committee of the tournament led by NFF 1st Vice President/Chairman of Lagos State FA, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi paid him a courtesy visit at the State House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu did nothing to hide his enthuasiasm, and confessed a deepening love for football and especially the women’s game.

“Football is one of the lead factors that bridge the gap and bring communities closer together and is enabling a more exciting world. The women’s game has continued to pull its weight and can be said to be presently at par with the men’s game in the euphoria that it generates, and the sheer class, stamina, excellence and expertise that the players put on display.

“Lagos State, the State of aquatic splendour, is delighted to be named as host of this very important invitational tournament. We will aim to not only host a tournament befitting of the name and positive values that Her Excellency projects and promotes, but also want to showcase our State and the country at large through an efficient and effective organization that will be talked about for a long time.”

While heaping encomiums on President of Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick for being “highly dedicated and passionate about the sport, and a man who always believes and works hard to make things happen,” Sanwo-Olu recalled the role Lagos State Government played in the Super Eagles travelling by waterways to the 2021 AFCON qualifying match against Benin Republic in Cotonou in March this year, and stated that the exercise has already produced direct spin-offs. 

“We have signed contracts to build nine

mini-stadia across the State and these will be of immense value to the youth of this country who are highly talented but only need infrastructure to nurture to world standard.”

Insisting that the ongoing renovation work at the Teslim Balogun Stadium will make the facility the best in the country, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos will be ready and proud to host First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari during the tournament, and assured that the tenacious football fans in Lagos will add much colour to the week-long tournament. 

“The opportunities available in football are boundless, so we will commit to delivering a successful and model event that will spur us to encourage and support women’s football in our institutions of learning in Lagos State.”

Speaking earlier, Mr. Pinnick informed Governor Sanwo-Olu that the LOC members were A-list individuals carefully drawn from the football, business and political spheres, and are already aligned to the fact that the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament must meet the best

standards possible anywhere, and has to leave worthy legacies that will reflect brilliantly on Nigeria’s image in the universe.

“I want to specially thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for the role has played in supporting the Super Eagles and other National Teams, but let me say here that the month of September is a loaded one. The Super Eagles will kick off their 2022 World Cup qualifying race against Liberia in Lagos on 3rd September, and then fly from here to play Cape Verde away. The Aisha Buhari Cup is a very big project, because nothing must go wrong. We want to do it so well that subsequent editions will have a template to fall back on.”

Chairman of the LOC, Barr. Akinwunmi praised Sanwo-Olu for his tremendous support and encouragement of football in Lagos State and nationally, and pledged that the committee will organize a tournament worthy of the name of the First Lady and which honours the Centre of Excellence.

In her vote of thanks, the Director of Organization, Aisha Falode said hosting the tournament is a big opportunity for Nigeria to make a statement, and that the entire LOC membership was attuned to the vision of using the tournament to engender new, positive narratives about Lagos State (the cradle of women’s football in Nigeria) and the Nigeria nation.

At the occasion were Pinnick, Akinwunmi, Falode, Sola Aiyepeku (Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission); Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan (DG, LSSC); Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member, LOC); Dr Wole Aboderin (Member); Mr Saidu Suleman (Member); Mrs Amina Daura (Deputy Director of Organization); Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (Member); Hon. Ayo Omidiran

(Member); Mr Ademola Olajire (Director of Publicity); Mrs Ufuoma McDermott (Member); Miss Oluwakemi Areola (Member); Mr Olayinka Olagbemiro (Member); Miss Ese Okpomo (Member); Mr Kola Daniel (Member); Mr Rajan Zaka (Finance Director); Mr Mohammed Ameenu (Ag. Secretary) and Mr Taye Ige (Marketing Consultant).

Nigeria to host FIFA Executive Summit

World football –ruling body, FIFA will hold its FIFA Executive Football Summit (EFS) meeting in Lagos, Nigeria in February next year, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed.

Pinnick congratulates Dikko on FIFA appointment

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Friday congratulated NFF 2^ndVice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko, after the soft –spoken administrator and marketing and strategic development expert was appointed a Member of the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee. FIFA ratified the appointment of Dikko at its Council meeting held Friday, 27^th October 2017 in Calcutta, India.

Pinnick promises more innovations from Aiteo Cup

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has assured that the football –governing body is fully committed to bringing innovations and improved packages to the organization of the AITEO Cup competition, following Sunday’s show –stopper at the Agege Stadium.

Pinnick, Sanusi in ecstasy as Nigeria reach World Cup

 NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko and some other Members of the NFF Board, NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and other Members of the NFF Management were in buoyant mood as they joined the players in celebration following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals on Saturday.

Applause for NPFL Governance Model from FIFA Official, African Leagues and Clubs

... FIFA’S Head of Pro Football recommend model to countries within and outside Africa
........ NPFL's Youth Development incentive excites CAF

From Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union to Cairo in Egypt, the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has flowed commendations for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) model managed by the League Management Company (LMC).

Giwa FC Appeals NPFL Expulsion

Giwa FC has appealed its expulsion from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by the League Management Company (LMC) for failure to honour three matches cumulatively in one season which is in violation of Rule B13.28 of the NPFL Rules and Framework.

Jos Court Recognizes Pinnick as NFF President

There should naturally be a closure to the arguement on the Chris Giwa group concerning the Case in the Jos Court with the latest from the Judge. Also, those insisting they dont care about the FIFA Intervention and that Nigerian Court is vital should now be able to understand that Chris Giwa does not have any go ahead from the fundamental point of the Nigerian Law Court they are holding on to.

66th FIFA Congress: Pinnick was Arrested by Mexican Police

*He never attended the FIFA Congress

*How he lied with his picture with Infantino

It is authoritative that Nigeria could not present any representation at the 66^th FIFA Congress in Mexico due to the lingering crisis in the massive west African nation’s football environment.

House of Reps Wade into NFF Leadership Tussle

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday, ordered its committee on sports to summon the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung and officials of the Nigerian Football Federation ,NFF, in a bid to amicably resolve the crisis rocking the apex football body in Nigeria.

New Dawn as FIFA Names Lady Fatma as Secretary General

Federation International of Football Association, FIFA has named Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura of Senegal, a 21-year veteran of U.N. humanitarian programmes, as its new secretary general on Friday.

Kogi FA Mourns Chairman's Dad Death

Father of Umarr Isah Suleiman, Chairman of Kogi Football Association, Kinami Isah died on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, an official has announced.

Giwa Board Swings to Action.... Sack Olajire as NFF Media Officer

*Addresses media on way forward

*More sacks and appointments to come by Monday

In a swift reaction to the Federal High Court order, the Ambassador Chris Giwa board has resumed in the Glass House with three of the board members storming the secretariat where they announced the sack of the Head of the media, Ademola Olajire and announced a replacement in Dr Robinson Okosun.

Developing Stories: NFF Files Appeal, Motion to Vacate Order and Stay-of-Execution against Jos Court Judgment

The Nigeria Football Federation has swiftly moved to file an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a motion for a stay-of-execution against the judgement of the Jos High Court, which on Friday decided to re-list a case brought by Ambassador Chris Giwa against the validly –elected NFF administration of Amaju Melvin Pinnick.