Lagos FA stakeholders allege being cajoled by Ex NFF Vice President

 

With the Lagos State Football Association election around the corner, immediate past 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi recently stepped down after 12 years on the hot seat.

Founder of 36 Lion Football Club, Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar believes Akinwunmi created a messy situation during his tenure in Office.

The Badagry born administrator dropped the bombshell via WhatsApp Platform, NSM on Saturday afternoon.

Hajj Gafar wrote: "BSA tricked us in Lagos and abandoned everyone when we needed him the most to remedy his many anomalies or, at the very least, partially repair the football ship he capsized, but alas! He ditched us in the middle of the lagoon."

"However, Lagos State Football Stakeholders won't perish; perhaps BSA forgot that the centre of Excellence comprises the Eguns, the Aworis, and the Ekos, all of whom are Great Swimmers. We will all survive this mess that BSA has forced onto us for more than 12 years. He would have done the same for Nigeria safe for the great delegates who voted wisely at Edo 2022 NFF Congress."

"BSA was supposed to be a friend and an elder brother to every single football family, as well as other football enthusiasts, but he limited the entire Lagos football system and even sat on an abnormal board for the last four years, cutting board members to six instead of nine. 

"The 2023 Lagos State Football Association election is just 19 days away, I hope this time we will all choose wisely," Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar remarked.

Several reactions followed the revelations by Hajj Olawale Liameed Gafar.

Well respected football administrator and journalist, Wale Joseph enthused: "True Talk......Hope Lagos choose right this time around. The outgoing board has killed football in Lagos. All that was painstakingly worked for between 2011 to 2019 was destroy by BSA and his co-travellers who are bent on destroying it further. But God will shame them.

Canada based Arsenal supporter, Adewale Ajayi shared his opinion on the comments of Hajj Gafar.

"Lagos is too big a state for just a few men to take us for a ride. These men got their opportunity to change everything but they ended up changing nothing. 

  

"12 wasted years! The time for change is now. We are aware that the former chairman is not contesting but we are too intelligent to be deceived. We are saying NO to a weak stooge."

Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) election will hold on May 27.

Ogunlaja bags special invitation for ASMA Conference in Banjul

 

Highly rated scout and player's intermediary, Paul Olayemi Ogunlaja has again been recognized as one of the best player's agents in Africa as he's been invited as a delegate for the ongoing African Sports Management Association, ASMA Conference taking place in Banjul, Gambia.

The young Paul Olayemi Ogunlaja is moving fast across the African continent, being recognized as one of the forefront in grassroots and youth development across Nigeria, with notable young stars he has discovered playing in the shores of Europe and in his country.

Ogunlaja who started out as a games prefect back in St Gregory’s College Ikoyi, Sports Director of his department and later in his faculty at the prestigious Lagos State University, Ojo.

He’s a member of the International Professional Scouting Organization, United Kingdom (IPSO) and a licensed Intermediary under the Nigerian Football Federation and FIFA.   

The CEO of Kiddos Recreational Activities and partners with OSIO and Tee Football Agency in Russia.

Ogunlaja Olayemi Paul is also known for organizer of the famous Mavlon U-19s Tournament in Nigeria with his partners Mavlon consults CEO Kenneth AGADAGBA and kidsport CEO Bukola Edem. 

The 5th Biennial Conference have notable delegates and high profiled Sports management personnel like Professor Oluwaseun Omotayo: ASMA Vice President and sports psychologist. 

1. Barr. Oluseyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation) Awardee

2. Alh. Mohammed Alkali (Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee Member) 

Chairman Nationwide League One.

3. Barr. Kenneth Agadagba CEO MAVLON CONSULTS (Rep. Capt. Matthew Ijachi, Awardee)

4. Mr Olushola Ogunnowo (Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria Nationwide League One)

5. Mr. Paul Ogunlaja (FIFA Intermediary)

6. Alh. Abdul Zakari Team Manager Mavlon football club).

The African Sports Management Association, ASMA Conference taking place in Banjul, Gambia have since commenced on 22nd of February and will end on 25th of February, 2022.

Akinwunmi sees NLO TV as catalyst to grassroot football development in Nigeria

 

Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hinted that the NLO TV App will give grassroot football in Nigeria a new identity.

Management of the nation's third-tier domestic league launched its television and a video viewing application, as they began airing the 2021/22 matches starting with the Optima Energy NLO Super 8 match-day games.

"The NLO is the birthplace for grassroot football, that's where fireworks should be tapping from, the earlier acknowledge that the better for all of us, said Akinwunmi.

"The app will change the face of NLO matches completely because we can now see these players in their elements. The whole world can see the kind of football Nigeria has in stock.

"We underestimate ourselves, now the coaches have no place to hide. They can not say they have not seen the players rather wherever they are our national team coaches can easily access these players.

"Am very proud of what Mohammed Alkali, the Chairman NLO, Sola Ogunowo and his team have done, which is something we must emulate.

"Technology is the way forward and this will change the face of football, believe me, just give it a few years. It is fine to have it at the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) level but when you have it at the grassroot, it changes the face of the game."

Speaking further as regards the quality of work done at the Remo Stars Stadium venue for Optima Energy NLO Super 8 play-off, the Sports Lawyer gave the edifice a pass mark.

"We have been looking forward to this for quite a while and am so glad I was able to make it. First of all, you see the ambience of the place, it's still a work in progress but it's a fantastic stadium.

"The quality of football we saw on Monday morning at the Remo Stars Stadium shows that we will continue to have talents in Nigeria."

Ratels Sports Development Foundation to honour Arotile, Ukaigwe, Mabo, Jegede, Kujebola, others

 

Names of Awardees for the Ratels Sports Development Foundation Heroes Awards 2021 have been revealed during Flying Officers Cup draw ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday. 

The award Committee headed by Moses Nagogo Bako followed a set of eligibility criteria which considers factors such as achievements and pedigree of the nominees.

The prestigious award is conferred to those personalities who have rendered outstanding meritorious services to the development of sports and women’s football in the country and beyond.

The award comes in two categories of Special Posthumous Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Four people were remembered and honoured in the Posthumous Awards category:

Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile: The first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigeria Air Force. She contributed significantly to combat operations against insecurity in the northern states of Nigeria. Arotile died from a head injury sustained in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base.

Henrietta Ukaigwe: She was a veteran sports journalist cum women’s football promoter. Started FFIG – Female Football Interest Group comprising individuals, who actively promoted and energetically projected the women’s game and made it an item of consequence in the media and public space across the nation from the nineties. This group did not only report the game; it coalesced efforts and resources to organize women’s football tournaments and provided much-needed stout and meaningful support to administrators at that incipient stage.

Chief Larry Eze: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Larry Angels, It should be noted that Larry Angels and the likes of Rivers Mermaids metamorphosed to Rivers Angels in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership.

Chief Sunny Eghaghe Inneh: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Inneh Babes. Inneh babes metamorphosed to Edo Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Chioma Ajunwa: Former athlete, notable for being the first Nigerian to win gold at 1996 summer Olympics. The first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She remains only woman to compete at the FIFA world cup both  as a footballer and the Olympics as a track and field athlete.

She is now an assistant commissioner of Police.

Princesses Bola Jegede: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria played a pivotal role in Organizing the first women Inter-club competition in Nigeria in 1990. The establishment of her female football Club, Jegede Babes in the late 1980s culminated in the establishment of other female football Clubs in the country producing players for the nascent Super Falcons squad to the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991.

Ismaila Mabo: He was the head coach of the Nigeria women’s national team at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics. He led Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the team’s best ever result

Eddington Kujebola: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Ufuoma Babes of warri. Notable players for Ufuoma Babes were Florence Omagbemi, Mavis Ogun, Patience Avre, Uche Eucharia, Mercy Akide, Omo Love Branch, Nkiru Okieseme, Florence Iweta, Phoebe Ebimienkumo, etc.

Alhaja Ayo Omidiran: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of Omidiran babes, which left the football scene but are now back. She became a member of the Nigerian Football Association Board and remained there till 2005. Since 2006, she has been a member of the FIFA Women Committee.

Other Awards Include:

Heroic Icon Of The Year: Leah Shuiabu.

Women Football Promoter of the year: Phillip Shuiabu.

Women Football Grassroots Icon of the year: Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

Women Football Trailblazer of the year: Aisha Falode.

Aisha Buhari tournament coincides with 30th anniversary of women's football in Nigeria - Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi

By Akin Bolarinwa 

The Chairman organising committee of the Aisha Buhari Cup competition, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has stated that the Aisha Buhari tournament is to commemorate the 30th year anniversary of the development of women's football in the country. 

www.ckdmedia.ng gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation is using the tournament to celebrate 3 decades of women's football development.

"We deliberated on what to do for women's football at 30 and that also coincide with the project we want to do with the 1st lady".

Barrister Akinwunmi who is the 1st vice president of the NFF declared that massive celebrations will herald the Aisha Buhari cup.

"We have a lot of people behind this project with their own individual strengths pulled together to ensure a better tournament for the nation".

The Lagos state football boss, also affirmed that the Aisha Buhari women football project is to generate discussions concerning women issues around the world.

"The discussion is also centred around the girls child, we want to give them identity, using football as the message carrier".

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).

Oasis Ladies beat Royaltoms to emerge winners of EkoFootball Queens Championship

 

Oasis Ladies Football Club today emerged the champion of the first ever EkoFootball Queens Championship, when they defeated Royaltoms Queens 5-4 (PK) in the grand finale played at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

It was 1-1 at the end of regulation to time, and the game went to penalty shoot-out, where the winner was decided. It ended 5-4 in favour of Oasis Ladies.

Earlier on today, Prince Kazeem Eletu FC won the third place following a 1-0 victory  over Papa Soccer Academy. Kazeem Eletu only goal of the match was scored by Peace Ikeduba.

The EkoFootball Queens Championship 2021 started three weeks ago with 24 amateur clubs in and around Lagos State. We had a team from Edo state, Fortress Queens, but they crashed out in the group stages.

The Lagos FA Chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi in his remarks after the final match, praised players and coaches of all the 24 teams for helping to create a profile for women's Football in Lagos State.

"The EkoFootball Queens Championship has tremendously enabled  the technical department to identify budding talents across all the clubs that can go all the way to represent the state at any national competition and the country if properly nurtured especially at a time the standard of the women's football league is rising higher and higher by the day. "We promise to continue to improve the championship year in and out and make a stable and consistent platform to build and develop young talents who want to play serious football."

*EkoFootball Media.* 

Pinnick Amaju inaugurates Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament Committee

The Quest to host a successful Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos  began with the Inauguration of the committee by NFF President/FIFA Council member; Amaju Pinnick. 

The virtual  meeting started at exactly 11am with all Local Organising Members were in attendance to show readiness to stage a tournament of repute. 

According to the the FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick "Everyone here is selected based on merit for this  national call and I'm confident that you will deliver with utmost efficiency. Aisha Buhari name stands for Integrity and the tournament must live up to that integrity."

Pinnick expects periodic reports before the tournament starts and to interface with Lagos state government as the host. 

The tournament will be yearly and the 

LOC  is expected to organise a befiting tournament that can stand the test of time sustainably. 

Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi who is the Chairman of the committee will Inaugurate different sub-committee that will ensure smooth execution of the tournament.

According to the Chairman of the committee, he appreciated the FIFA Council member for the confidence imposed on the Committee and assured him of leading the team right in unity and as A TEAM. 

"I understand your expectation as the FIFA Council member and we will deliver Accordingly" he concluded.

The Committee members include:

Seyi Akinwunmi - Chairman

LASG Nominee -  Vice chairman

Ibrahim Gusau - member

Aisha Falode - Director of Organisation

Amina Daura - Deputy Director of Organisation

Margaret Icheen - Member

Ayo Omidiran -  Member

Umar Baba - Member

Chisom Ezeoke - Member

Kemi Areola - Member

Ademola Olajire - Member

Ufuoma McDermott - Member

Ese Okpomo - Member

Yinka Olagbemiro - Member

Kola Daniel - Member

Ruth David Secretary

Kamal Mohammed - Member.