Osun SWAN Congratulates Gov Oyetola On 66th Birthday Celebration

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Osun State chapter has congratulated the state Governor who doubles as the grand patron of the association, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola on the occasion of his 66th Birthday anniversary.

In a congratulatory massage signed on Tuesday by the Acting chairman of Osun SWAN, Tope Alabi and Secretary, Timothy Agbor, Governor Oyetola was described as great administrator who has been instrumental to the transformation in the state.

The association wished him long life in sound health and more zeal to bring about development in the state.

"We rejoice with our amiable Governor and Grand Patron, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola on his 66th birthday anniversary. You are a great administrator and great support to our association. We wish you long life and prosperity. Congratulations Sir!"

Alh. Usman Mustapha Football House: I Hit The Right Target - Kwara FA Boss 'Thuraya'

 

...as state of Osun counterpart seeks supports on speedy completion of Late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Football House 

Akanni Seyi

Kwara FA supremo Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa has reiterated his intentions in raising the bar of administration, developments and ultimately taking Kwara Football Association to the next level.

Following the successful completion and commissioning of Alh. Usman Mustapha Football House located within the stadium complex in llorin, Kwara State, the state of Osun Football Association one of the beneficiary of the project activated a consultation and partnership with Kwara State Football Association.

Apart from Kwara and Osun states, other Football Houses are located in Jigawa, Bayelsa, Borno and Abia states, of which Kwara has already set the pace in commissioning.

The Chairman of Osun FA, Otunba AbdulRazaq Ishola Mustapha RIM, who led other board members of his team on a courtesy visit to Kwara FA in Ilorin said that they were in Ilorin to learn from the host FA, on how the Alhaji Usman Mustapha Football House was completed and commissioned.

Ajiroba Ooni, who commended his board members, added that they all have interest in driving football in Osun, and that their commitment is outstanding and unquestionable.

He vowed to continue to seek consultation and support from Kwara FA on how to lift football in the state, especially on the completion of the Football House.

In his remark, the Chairman of Kwara FA, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa commended Osun FA, and late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, for his impact on football development in Osun and Nigeria at large.

"Members of my board are always willing to sacrifice, I never gave one kobo to anyone. They are giving their best in moving football forward in the state. 

"The moment I took the mantle of leadership, I used resourceful personal contacts in the ministry cum government to draw the attention of the state government to the project. The governor is excited with what we put across and thereby instrumental to the success.

"I later called on the family of the first FA chairman in the state. I received a lot of blessings while there. In fact the rest is history. I was so glad l hit the right target," Thuraya as he's fondly called stated.

He also pledged to be part of the processes towards having the project in Osogbo completed.

New Era As BenKof Sports Kits Hit Nigeria Sporting Scene

 

Nigeria sports firm, Benkof is set to revolutionize kits branding in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and other sports by providing incentives to clubs and teams who partner them.

Ben Eniwo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Benkof Sports management whose agency representing football players says Benkof will provide a more professional kit Branding, Quality and other Incentives to clients (Clubs/ Teams) that partners Benkof brand.

Clubs/Teams will also benefit from it's pre-season plans, as they are in talks with top tournament organizers that organize international invitational tournaments so they can bring clubs using the Benkof brand for tournaments with the goal of getting them ready for the new Nigeria Professional Football League season.

Benkof which sounds German or Dutch, is actually not but it's an abbreviation of his name and that of my wife. Ben from Benjamin and Kof from Kofoworola.

Eniwo, a former teammate of late Super Eagles and Shooting Stars of Ibadan rock-solid defender, Ajibade Babalade, says being an ex footballer who had played for some clubs in Nigeria and outside Nigeria , he would love to help in his own little way by making the NPFL more colourful in terms of kit branding. 

The dream of running a sports brand had been initiated in me even during my playing days, well Benkof will be starting off with branding of football clubs for a start not just kitting league club sides but also reaching out to the streets and as such we have various packages that will benefit the youth (Boys) clubs in Nigeria. 

Benkof's vision is to reach out to other sports after we must have come into the market with plans to spreed to other nearby African countries too.

Regards the quality we are already in talks with some notable clubs in Nigeria who we have sent samples to and one of such is Lobi Stars of Makirdi and Banabas Imenga, a former Super Eagles legend now Team Manager of the club was very impressed with our quality and as such he has been of great help to us giving good reference to our quality of fabric. As we all know India is the home to fabrics.

Furthermore, 'Having played in the Nigerian League I know how it use to be playing under the sun with thick fabrics and in terms of designs Benkof has a strong team that will be bringing in new and eye catching designs not just for club but to fans as well. Lots of research has been made to make sure fabrics and colours used will go along with the Nigerian weather as some colours attract heat,' said Eniwo.

ABS FC Gets Acting Technical Adviser

Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, has appointed Coach Shuaib Abdulkadir (No Fear), as acting Technical Adviser.

The club's Director of Football (DOF), Alloy Chukwuemeka, made the announcement on Friday in Ilorin after a management meeting.

He said the appointment became imperative after the team's Technical Adviser, Yomi Elijah, informed him of leaving for an unnamed Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, after the expiration of his contract. 

Chukwuemeka said Coach Abdulkadir will remain in acting capacity until a decision to  appoint a substantive Technical Adviser is taken. 

Elijah told newsmen after the meeting that he was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the management, staff and players of the team. 

He then solicited for the same support for coach Abdulkadir (No Fear), who he described as a loyal servant.

Coach Abdulkadir, thanked the management for the confidence reposed in him to take the team till a decision to appoint a new Technical Adviser is taken. 

He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him and assured of his unalloyed commitment to the project to move the club forward. 

Until his appointment, Coach Abdulkadir was assistant to Yomi Elijah, he was appointed before the commencement of last season.

Kwara State Government Set To Immortalize Rashidi Yekini's Name

 

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday said the name of former Super Eagles Striker late Rasheed Yekini will be immortalized.

He said this while visiting Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare in his office in Abuja at a meeting that yielded fruitful deliberations as both sports lovers discussed prospects in youth and sports development.

Governor AbdulRazaq announced that progress has been made in immortalizing football icon, Rashidi Yekini by naming the Kwara State Sports Complex Stadium Ilorin after him. 

He said, “We will send a bill to the State House of Assembly to immortalize Rashidi Yekini with the name of the stadium changing after the approval.”

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare had told the Governor about the series of letter that the Ministry wrote to the Kwara State Government for the immortalization of the late football legend.  

 

Mr. Dare has urged the Kwara State Governor to sustain his support for sports development while noting that sports help to reduce social vices. “I want to thank his excellency for hosting our biggest youth game in Ilorin, your excellency we are coming to Ilorin again because of the facilities in University of Ilorin soonest for the youth game. I love the fact His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq loves sport I want to encourage your excellency to invest more on sports,” he stated.

Naija Ratels President, Barr. Paul Edeh Visits New NWFL Secretariat, Donates Photocopier-Printer, Match-Balls And Advocates For More Teams in the NWFL

The president of Nigeria Women Football League side, Naija Ratels FC, Barrister Paul Edeh on wednesday visited the new NWFL Secretariat which is under renovation, where he paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of the league, Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge. The Naija Ratel boss also took advantage of the visit to donate a digital multi-functional copier, an embossed number clock and twenty match balls to the NWFL.  

The visit was primarily to congratulate Mrs Faith Ben-Anuge over her appointment by the NFF and seemingly to touch on some critical issues on the growth and development of the league as well as seek for collaboration with the league body on the annual Naija-Ratels Pre-season Championship. 

The Ratels President in his remarks said he deemed it necessary to pay the new Chief Operating Officer of the league a visit, because the team enjoyed a very robust relationship with the former C.O.O, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahman and thought the good tidings should continue considering the dynamism she was bringing to bear on the league. 

" We have no doubt, that with your pedigree and dynamic leadership, having been around the women football cycle for sometime now, your unique touch will boost the work of your predecessor. We are sure that you would get the job done dilligently with the full backing of your boss, the Chairperson of the NWFL Ms Aisha Falode." He noted. 

" Over the years, we have had to contend with the women's league playing second fiddle to the men's league. 

" There is so much disparity when you compare the wages of the male footballers to female footballers both at the league level and at the level of the National Team. 

" I urge you to use your good office as Chief Operating Officer to advocate for equal pay for both the men's and women's league. This I think is achievable considering the fact that some state owned teams are already paying the same wages for both their male and female teams.

"No doubt, the NWFL Chairperson, Aisha Falode has introduced a lot of innovations and discipline into the league, she has succeeded in making the NWFL a huge success as she isn't one who would bend laid down rules. She operates by the books as she thinks outside the box. 

The Benue-born philanthropist went on to say that there is need for the expansion of all tiers of the Nigeria Women Football League if there must be an improvement in female football in Nigeria. 

" The expansion of the various tiers in the NWFL is also very neccesary. It is not enough to advocate for equal pay, it is also important to emphasis that the male and female league should have more teams participating that that of the male league. 

He noted further that "The NPFL has 20 teams, while the NWFL Premiership has 16 teams, the NNL has over 40 teams, while the NWFL Championship as at last year had only 5 teams, the NWFL Nationwide, which is meant to be the grassroots league had just 6 teams as at last year, while the NLO has over 300 teams.

" It is our responsibility to make grassroots football more attractive, as it is the bedrock of our football. Our vision as a club is to discover talents and bring them to limelight. 

"We have a great structure as a club and our club house in Makurdi covers a land mass of 2000sqm and it is tastefully well furnished. 

" I am glad to also announce that most of our players are on scholarship, because we believe education must go together with football, while those who are not opportune to go to school are engaged in vocational training. Our recent enrollment of our girls in vocation training cost an upwards of 1.8M Naira in its first phase.

" I want to use this medium to solicit for collaboration with the NWFL to partner with Naija Ratels FC to host the Naija Ratels Pre-Season Tournament which will enable teams test their players before the league fully takes off. 

" The Naija Ratels Pre-season Championship is the biggest Pre-season tournament in Nigeria and it's neccesary that we form a partnership with the NWFL to make it even more robust. 

" We look forward to having a bigger and better Pre-season Championship this year and we know with the support of the NWFL, we shall achieve our aims. 

Finally, the legal luminary cum football administrator while making a donation of a digital multi-functional Sharp Photocopier and Printer, embossed number clock and twenty match balls to the NWFL Secretariat, stated that the urge to ensure a smooth and functional environment for the NWFL inspired him on the donation of the office equipments.

The Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Mrs Ben-Anuge, while receiving the donated equipments, described the donor, Bar. Paul Edeh as a women's football patriot and one who has shown selflessness to the development of the league. 

" We would like to express our very sincere gratitude to Bar. Paul Edeh for his contribution to the development of women's football in the country. 

" The Photocopier, Printer will indeed help to ease our official duties here at the NWFL Secretariat. 

" Just like you rightly said, the chairperson of the league, Aisha Falode has done alot to see our league become one of the best in the world. Last season, she single handedly went all out to get sponsors for the league. We are looking forward to getting sponsorship for the league and call on corporate organisations and individuals to come forward and assist the league grow. She said.

" Your proposal to partner with the NWFL is a welcome development and I will present your proposal to the Board and I have no doubt that the board will be favourably disposed to partner with you to host the Pre-Season Tournament. It may be necessary to consider hosting this edition in Abuja to encourage participation." 

"I hope someday, the Nigeria Football Federation sees a treasure in you and bring you to the glasshouse, where you can exhibit your wealth of experience. She concluded. 

Also speaking, a board member of the NWFL, Mr. Joe Amene, who was present at the event, said the level of women's football in Nigeria and indeed Africa has improved drastically, citing the introduction of the CAF Women's Champions league as a leapfrog to success. 

 Mr Amene also hailed Aisha Falode for the steady leadership in the NWFL, since she came in three years ago. 

The experienced football administrator while thanking the President of Naija Ratels FC, Barrister Paul Edeh for his generosity also praised him for laying down good examples for other clubs in the NWFL to follow.

The C.O.O. took the Naija Ratels round the new NWFL office complex located in the former NFF Headquarters where he inspected the ongoing renovation of the office complex.

NNL: Ekiti United Set For Resumption

 

The management of Ekiti United Football club has expressed readiness to swing into action in preparation for the re-opening of the Nigerian Football leagues f'ollowing the Federal Goverment's lifting of the ban on sporting activities in the country.

Ekiti United management represented by the secretary, Ayodeji Olowolafe while supervising the payment of the monthly salaries of the players of the team over the weekend said the players of Ekiti United have been alerted to get prepared to join the team to start preparation for the Nigeria National football league-NNL 2019/2020 Season.

He further said the technical crew will  resume tomorrow Tuesday while the management and technical crew will on Thursday meet to deliberate on the resumption date for  the players training and other activities

Two players of Ekiti United Boluwaji Afolabi and  Sunday Agboola said they could not wait for the rez-opening of football acrivities in the country.

The two players also said all members of the squad have been involved in personal training since the outbreak of coronaviurs in order to avoid rustiness.

In the meantime, the commissioner for Youth and Sport development in Ekiti state, Mr Micheal Awopetu has informed the management of Ekiti United that the state govenor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has approved the purchase of a vehicle for the management of the team as well as  suitable big  mattresses for the players to aid comfortability at the team camp.

The state government was also commended for it's efforts at giving the Oluyemi Kayode a face lift by regressing the soccer pitch.

Ekiti United Media 

Falode Appreciates Football Community For Honouring Ukaigwe

The chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Ms Aisha Falode, still reminiscing over the death of a board member of the NWFL, Henrietta Ukaigwe, has expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Football Community for turning out in their numbers to honour Henrietta Ukaigwe, during her burial in Abbah, Imo State.

Falode said: "The burial was befitting of a woman who lived and served women's football with great dedication and commitment."

She further thanked the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, who never forgot the date and fulfilled his promise of N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira) to the deceased family.

NWFL board members, the management team of the NWFL, the Female Club Owners headed by Mrs Matilda Otuene Iyiloha, all came up in their numbers.

The various women football clubs that sent their officials and players, Imo State Sports Commission , Anambra State Football Association, former Super Falcons players too numerous to mention.

Falode, who is a board member of the NFF also observed the  presence of a large troupe of Authentic Football Supporters Club from Lagos and Bayelsa state who added colour to the beautiful rendition of goodbye songs to our departed hero. 

"The sports writers Association fully identified with one of theirs as the late Henrietta started in vanguard Newspapers as a reporter. We can only appreciate everyone for the time they took to identify with the NWFL."

With a posture signifying relief of a painful but successful   burial, Falode pointed out that inspite of the after effect of Covid- 19 pandemic, the NWFL singlehandedly made sure she had a befitting burial.

Henrietta Ukaigwe died on the 14th of July after a brief illness at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, aged 53 years. She was a passionate women football writer, administrator, advocate and served in various capacities with the NFF and NWFL.

She will be greatly missed.

 NWFL MEDIA.