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.

Ahmed Kawu hails President Tinubu over Shehu Dikko's appointment as NSC Boss

 

Former chairman of Nigeria Nationwide League One, Alhaji Ahmad Kawu is full of praises for President Bola Tinubu for given sports sector what he calls the right appointment at the right time. 

The presidency unveiled a new blueprint for Nigeria sports sector on Wednesday, 23rd October, with the re-enactment of National Sports Commission and appointment of Mallam Shehu Dikko as the chairman. In a statement signed by Alhaji Ahmad Kawu, he noted that Mallam Shehu Dikko is an astute administrator capable of moving sports to the next level.

"Mr. President has given sports the right blueprint, right appointment and right person at the right time. We the stakeholders have always emphasised the need to bring back the national sports commission and what Mr. President has done with Mallam Shehu Dikko appointment to head this critical sector has renewed our hope. 

"Because honestly speaking Shehu Dikko is a brilliant young administrator who comes up with innovative ideas to improve the standards at every given assignment he embarks on," he affirmed. 

Alhaji Kawu, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation further emphasis the importance of this set by President Tinubu. 

"Shehu Dikko knows sports like the back of his hands. He is a sports technocrat in every sense of it. He has always worked to create opportunities for the youths to excel through sports. 

"We all saw what he did in the past. Using his office to positively impact the lives of everyone in and around the sports sector and this yielded results for Nigeria. I'm confident in him and we'll support him to succeed Insha Allah. 

"I thank President Bola Tinubu for this wonderful decisions. Nigeria will succeed Insha Allah," Alhaji Kawu postulated.

Alhaji Ahmad Kawu thus congratulates Mallam Shehu Dikko on this appointment. Wishing him good luck with the assurances of his cooperation to move Nigeria sports sector forward. 

Signed:

Alhaji Ahmad Kawu

Sports Stakeholder

Mahanaim FC felicitates with Mallam Shehu Dikko over NSC appointment

 

The management and staff of Mahanaim FC congratulate the new sports supremo in Nigeria, Mallam Shehu Dikko on his appointment as the Chairman National Sports Commission. 

Mallam Dikko's appointment to chair the NSC by President Bola Tinubu is a worthy one that illustrates his wealth of experience in a sector he has nurtured for more than 20-years.

Mallam Dikko is a well grounded professional in our sports sector. He is someone whose expertise traverse every component that make up a working system needed for a functional sports sector. Working closely with him, one can see that his dedication to achieving results is second to none.

We believe Mallam Shehu Dikko's appointment will open up a new era that will stimulate the ecosystem and this simply means, all sectors within sports will benefit greatly.

Everyone at Mahanaim FC warmly congratulate Mallam Shehu Dikko and wish him all the best on this new task. 

Prior to this latest appointment as head of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko had chaired the Nigeria Professional Football League board for eight years with remarkable achievements. 

Dikko was also the 2nd Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation,(NFF) between 2014 and 2022. He is a member of the FIFA football stakeholders committee, a senior match commissioner of the Confederation of African Football,(CAF). 

Shehu Dikko started out as a sports consultant many years ago. He was the Nigerian manager of the FIFA goal project and was previously instrumental in bringing top European football clubs for Preseason tours into our dear country, Nigeria. 

We believe his experiences in this sector have more than prepared him for a successful stint as headship of sports in Nigeria. 

e-Signed:

Director of Communications- Mahanaim FC 

Olaoluwa Aro

LMC is work in progress - Barrister Amobi

Former Rangers International F.C of Enugu Team Manager, Barrister Amobi Paulinus Ezeaku has described the League Management Company (LMC) as a work in progress. 

The legal luminary who entered the history books as the youngest team manager to have won both the Premier League and Federation cup with Rangers said a trip down memory lane would attest to the fact that the League is on an ascendancy. 

"It has improved to an extent. In addition to the Mobile app where we can watch games, it is my humble thoughts that when games are on TV it would bring back deeper ecstasy and the desired followership" .

 

He said that most of the other issues that affects clubs, are behoove on such Clubs to sort themselves out towards taking the league to an enviable and adorable state .

 

He maintained that for Nigerian Clubs to perform excellently in CAF tournaments, there must be a roadmap, a strategic plan that would be consciously followed. "When such strategic plans are executed there is every tendency that that we would go far in continental games. Strategic Plans take about 3-5 years" .

Barrister Amobi who spoke as a Guest of the FCT SPORTS UPDATE Personality Interview Segment added that there are various  business angle that Nigeria clubs should embrace, among which are the numerous avenues on transfer of players to merchandise sales, and so many other things. 

"I would encourage a business investor to invest In sports in Nigeria and get top class and seasoned administrators to run the club" he concluded.

Maxisports CEO appreciates Dikko, Fresh, Bosso, others for gracing Unity Cup final

Secretary of this year's organizing committee of the just concluded Unity Preseason Cup competition in Abuja Olaoluwa Aro has expressed gratitude to their sponsors and special guests, who took out time to attend the maiden edition of the tournament; whilst also praising them for their support for a successful ending of the week-long tourney. 

Speaking to the press to show his gratitude to the guests, CEO of a Renowned Sports agency, MaxisSports International  Olaoluwa Aro who was equally elated, personally took out time to thank the dignitaries who graced the occasion. 

"I want to humbly thank all our sponsors and partners for the successful hosting of this competition and we are glad we were able to unite the clubs around the North cause the event was a way of fostering UNITY on and off the field whilst also giving the fans in Abuja something to cheer about. 

" I also want to appreciate the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC)  Mallam Shehu Dikko who compressed his tight schedule to honour the final, not also forgetting Alhaji Ahmed Fresh the leader of the North Central Football fraternity who was ever-present all through the competition;  and also the Chairman of the Club Owners Association, Issac Danladi and the Secretary of the association,  Alloy Chukwuemeka respectively. 

"My appreciation also goes to the president of Nigerian Football Coaches Association, in the person of Ladan Bosso, and of course,  the Deputy Director- Technical and Scouting of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Former Flying Eagles Coach Paul Aigbogun,  while also recognizing the presence of

the Chairman of Bauchi State Football Association,  Patrick Pascal (MON).

" Lastly, I also want to thank Robert Akpenpuun Chairman VLGFC, and ex-International Garba Lawal(MON), not also forgetting Mr Phemmy Adetunla, Spokesperson of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, and a renowned journalist, as well as all members of the Press, for their relentless support and effort."

Plateau United were crowned champions of the maiden edition after they piped Nasarawa United 1-0 in the final.

ANFPU President, Abdul Sule says its time to rebuild, reboot players' union

 

President of the newly established All Nigerian Football Players Union (ANFPU) Abdul Sule has urged all present and retired footballers to demonstrate core values that would help them remain relevant during and after playing the game of soccer. 

Sule who was a former Super Eagles player was appointed as President of the body, in a well organised ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday, which was attended by ex- footballers, and top NFF Officials, including the Second-Vice President of the NFF, Shehu Dikko.

"It is time to rebuild and reboot the players union association in our country. It requires vision, trust, knowledge and courage. ANFPU is a players-led organisation, which demonstrates the values of ensuring better life for the present and retired footballers in Nigeria.' Sule Said. 

"As a former player, who have played both in the local league, the national team and also abroad. I believe I have the deep understanding of the players position within the game and will contribute significantly to the growth of the organization.

"This historic initiative will provide courage for all footballers in the country. Their voices will be heard and together, we can think of ways to develop, and protect players rights, both male and female.

"The association also aims at inspiring the younger players for more achievements and restore hope to the retired footballers. 

"Generally, we are looking at galvanizing the football playing community, through a strategic support system that would bring a new life into the Nigerian Football environment. 

"We have so many opportunities, partnerships wit the club owners and also with the Football Federation, as we are affiliated with them and have all it takes to be a union. 

"We have started work and are willing to accept players who are eligible to join the association. We are really poised at helping the current and ex players achieve their dreams. This is the main motive behind the association.

LMC Boss, Shehu Dikko rates 2020/2021 NPFL season as best in history

Chairman, League Management Company (LMC), Malam Shehu Dikko has expressed satisfaction with the just concluded 2020/2021 NPFL season even as he picked it as the best ever  league in history statistically.

Dikko divulged this while speaking at Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter Guest Forum  in Abuja, highlighted  the positives from the just concluded season, asserted  that the positives far outweighed the negatives people may not have noticed.

He emphasized that Nigeria league owner did so well during the pandemic saying that unlike other countries where most players took pay cut, NPFL players received their full salaries.

"The last League season recorded impressive statistic better than the previous seasons. The number of away wins recorded (36) was the highest since the NPFL took charge as owners and organisers of the Nigerian elite league.

"Technically it was the best League, not just in the NPFL history but since the start of professional football league in Nigeria."

"Commercially it was challenging, but it was the most innovative, because we have brought innovations that people thought was impossible to do before. It was challenging because funds did not come the way we thought it will come."

"Organizationally it was very challenging because of the Covid 19 and some other issues. When I say it is the best technically, we start looking at the numbers and numbers don't lie." the astute football administrator stated.

He continued "First and foremost we had 380 matches, 288 matches were won, 92 were drawn. 791 goals were scored, an average of 2.8 goals per match." 

"It is the highest statistics of goals that we have ever had in the league. "

"352 home wins where recorded, 36 away victories, the highest away victories in the history of the league."

"92 matches where drawn, it is also the highest."

"Total numbers of penalties awarded this is 81, compared to other seasons where we have over 100 it shows the referees also did well." 

Speaking earlier, FCT SWAN chairman, Bunmi Haruna emphasised the need for the LMC to involve the media more in it's activities. He also urged the league body to aim for the very best because nothing is impossible.

"We drive football development across the world, so we are partners in progress." 

"It is our desire that our league should be self sustaining, that our clubs win CAF competition glories and have financial breakthrough."

"We want our league to attract he best players cross the world, we want a Cristiano Ronaldo to one day decide he has to play in the NPFL."

"These things might look impossible right now, but if we put in efforts, impossible is nothing." Bunmi enthused.

Dikko promised to have  quarterly Interactive session with the media henceforth.

NFF announces TVS as official Motorcycle and Tricycle Partner of Super Eagles

As part of its efforts to actively drive engagement and promotion of Nigerian Football at the grassroots, the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday in Abuja signed an agreement with the Simba Group, to make TVS the Official Motorcycle and Tricycle Partner of the Super Eagles.

Dikko inducted into FIFA Committee

NFF 2^nd Vice President/LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko has been inducted into the FIFA Football Stakeholders Committee, after attending his first meeting of the panel at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, 28 February.

Moses: I am over the moon

Super Eagles and Chelsea ace Victor Moses has spoken of his delight after he was presented with his AITEO-NFF Football Awards Player of the Year gong by NFF 2^nd Vice President Shehu Dikko.

NFF unveils Falcons coach, Dennerby

The record –breaking feats of the Amaju Pinnick –led Nigeria Football Federation continued in sleek fashion on Tuesday with the unveiling in Abuja of Mr. Thomas Dennerby, a former Coach of the Women’s National Team of Sweden, as Head Coach of the Super Falcons.

How Sports Minister Dalung spurred Eagles to victory

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung, provided the big impetus that steered the Super Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Libya on Friday at the 5^thAfrican Nations Championship, which has now taken the team close to a place in the quarter –finals.

WAPIC becomes NFF’s ‘Official Insurance Services Provider’

The Nigeria Football Federation and WAPIC Insurance PLC on Friday in Lagos signed an agreement that conferred on the insurance giant the title of ‘Official Insurance Services Provider and Co-Sponsor of the NFF.’

Rohr signs contract extension with Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday signed a two –year contract extension with Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr.

NFF reveals World Cup program

To several applauses and commendation for good planning and focus, the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday in Lagos made public its 2018 FIFA World Cup program for the Super Eagles, revealing venues and dates for six pre-World Cup friendly matches, kit launch, camping programmes and venues, the team base camp, sponsors’ event and how the team will travel during the World Cup finals proper.

NFF reclaims sponsorship with Coca-Cola

The Nigeria Football Federation and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited on Wednesday in Lagos consummated a partnership agreement that made the beverage behemoth ‘Official Soft Drink and Co-Sponsor of Nigeria National Teams’.

Pinnick: 2017 was great, but 2018 will be more glorious

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has expressed the satisfaction of the Federation with on-field and off-field results for Nigerian Football in the outgoing year, while expressing conviction that the year 2018 will bring forth more honours and even greater global recognition for the Nigerian game.

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.

Ahmad: CAF has high regards for Nigeria

... Says unity is key to Nigeria’s rising profile in football

The strength that lies in unity is the secret behind Nigeria’s upward surge in both the boardroom and the pitch in global football, so says President of the Confederation of African Footbal, Mr. Ahmad.

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.