NFF Archives | Page 7 of 7

64th Independence: SWAN felicitates Nigerians, urges robust sports development

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has felicitated with Nigerians as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday October 1, 2024. SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, enthused that Nigeria from independence in 1960 has witnessed ups and downs in all spheres of its national life. However, the number sports journalist noted that with over two hundred million people, Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa can deploy its vast resources using sports as major economic driving force. He said, “First of all, I want to congratulate Nigerians, particularly the sporting media on this auspicious day in the nation’s history. It’s supposed to be a proud moment considering the years that have come by. At 64, a man is fully matured after witnessing several developmental stages in life. “For any country desirous of fundamental and genuine development in time, human capital development interest should be the major focus and sports being a big entrepreneurial/business drive globally has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians. “Again, the population of people in Nigeria has continued to grow geometrically with little plan to engage mostly young people. Nigeria’s abundant human talents and mineral resources can be channelled to tackle unemployment and give hope to many through sports like it obtains in other parts of the world. “All that is now needed is the political will amidst implementation of practical policy geared towards harnessing teeming human assets in the over 40 different sporting areas. The truth remains that only sports have the vast opportunities to absorb and keep millions of youth busy, then give their lives meaningful living.” While expressing optimism that the future could be better than the past and present, the SWAN President also tasked government at all levels to channel efforts towards addressing various societal menaces including insecurity through sports. “Sports development is not just a Federal Government affair, political, business leaders and philanthropists have crucial roles to play. Nigeria recently participated at the 2024 Paris Olympics Games and returned home empty handed. Such disastrous outing shows that as a country, we have a long way to go. “It’s time to make our population count among the comity of Nations and grassroots sports development is key in this regard,” he said. The President of SWAN also congratulated the current leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for reaching two years since its emergence. President Benjamin hailed NFF’s visionary leadership which has witnessed a turn around of the various leagues’ administration and called for sustainable approach and focus in the development of all aspects of Nigeria’s football drive, though Super Eagles have witnessed unexpected hiccups in their 2026 World Cup qualifying series, efforts should now be channelled towards ensuring they win remaining qualifier matches to brighten their chances of qualification at last.”

NFF’s media manager, Olajire bags doctorate degree

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire has added to his feathers. The seasoned journalist bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication from University of Lagos recently. Olajire was the Deputy Sport Editor at Vanguard newspapers before his appointment as the Director of Communications, NFF. The media buff studied Mass Communication/Media Studies for his Master of Science (M.Sc.) also at University of Lagos. Present at the award of doctorate degree ceremony were; the Panelists, Ist Supervisor, Dr.Ibitayo Popoola, Representative of PG School, Dr. Omon Oshiki,the Internal Examiner and Immediate Past Head of Department, Prof Adepoju Tejumaye, the Incumbent Head of Department, Panel Chair, Prof Oloruntoba Sunday, Other are l; Prof. Dele Odunlami, the Internal- External, Dr Peter Oni and lthe second Supervisor, Prof. Ismail Ibraheem.

NFF commiserates with Governor Eno on wife’s demise

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday commiserated with Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on the death of his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs Patience Umo Eno. Mrs Umo Eno reportedly died in hospital on Thursday, 26th September following an illness. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed deep shock at the unfortunate occurrence, saying the Federation and the Nigeria Football fraternity as a whole felt the pain of the Number One citizen of Akwa Ibom State and his family. “We are deeply saddened by the demise of Her Excellency, Mrs Patience Umo Eno. This is heart-rending. Our hearts go out to His Excellency, Governor Eno and the immediate family that Mrs Eno has left, as well as their extended family, friends and relations, and the good people of Akwa Ibom as a whole. “Her passing at this time, when her robust support for her husband is needed as he seeks to take governance in Akwa Ibom State to a new level of excellence, is very sad.” Gusau prayed that the Almighty will grant the deceased eternal rest, and also grant Governor Eno, the immediate family and the people of Akwa Ibom State the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

Egbetokun praises NFF for dedication to football development

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun on Wednesday heaped praises on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation for their palpable dedication and commitment to the cause of football development in Nigeria, insisting that football is a game that unites all Nigerians across all known physical, mental and economic boundaries. Speaking during a courtesy visit by a team of NFF chieftains led by the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Egbetokun admitted that crime rate does decline around the country whenever any National Team or Club of choice of football adherents are on duty. “The Nigeria Police Force recognizes and appreciates the potential of football to work wonders for national unity, social cohesion and economic growth. In truth, football has the capacity to take criminals away from the streets. It is no gainsaying that we record lower incidences of crime when football teams are doing their business. “We promise to continue to support you to develop the game in our country to an excellent level, as we look forward to a more robust relationship with your organization.” Earlier, the NFF President commended the Inspector General for swiftness at all times in deploying officers, men and materials to venues of football matches in the country, from the low cadres of the league to international matches. “We are here because we appreciate the importance of security in all our activities, programmes and events. This is to physically express our deep appreciation for the job you have been doing in readily sending officers, men and materials to secure the venues of football matches in the country. Your officers and men have been doing excellent work for us. “Our country is one of football-passionate citizens. We also plead with the Inspector General to revive the Police Football Team that was very strong in those days, and also to consider giving a special quota to sportsmen and women who want to enlist in the Police Force.” Gusau thereafter informed the Inspector General that the world football-governing body will soon dispatch to its Member Associations a new template for securing football venues, and that the NFF will need to provide special training in that regard to officers and men of the Force who are dedicated to providing security at match venues. Present at the occasion were the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force including four Deputy Inspectors-General, as well as NFF 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF 2nd Vice President Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of Technical Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Head of Security, Barnabas Joro; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and; Abubakar Barde, special assistant to NFF President.

120 players drilled at FIFA Talent Development Scheme

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has successfully completed a two-week training program for the National U15 Boys, otherwise known as Future Eagles in Abuja. This is in line with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) initiative aimed at creating a sustainable legacy for long-term talent development in the country. Head of TDS delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Nasiru Jibril, a former Nigeria international, said the program is a welcome development which will serve as a pathway for every child within the ages of 12-15 to showcase themselves and be discovered. With the main goal of the TDS project being to help raise the standards of national-team football around the world for both men and women, which is driven by FIFA’s desire for a long-term dedication to global talent development, Jibril said he is confident the program will form the major plank for supplies to our senior national teams in no distant time. “Talent Development Scheme (TDS) is a project initiated by FIFA in all countries of the world to benefit places like Africa. Presently, we are trying to go round and give every single child the opportunity to showcase their talent. “Players from the ages of 12, 13, and 14 are the ones we are bringing to this center so we can pick the best out of them and build them into a group where the national teams will be getting supplies from. From 2025, the U17 AFCON will become an annual project, and if there is no program like this, any country may struggle in assembling the best legs to represent her.” Also speaking, Head Coach of Nigeria’s U15 national team, Mr Patrick Bassey said the process of recruitment has been transparent with merit as key factor, without any form of bias or sentiments. “In the selection of the players, there has not been any sentiment; every player that was scouted and brought here has the talent, the skill and the commitment to the game. I believe these players will be very useful to the nation in the long run.” A total of 120 players divided into two batches were invited to camp for the first phase of the program, with 40 players to be selected for another schedule before the end of the year, according to Coach Bassey.

Super Eagles retain spot on FIFA ranking

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles retained her 39th position the World football governing body, FIFA, monthly ranking. The formers African kings secured 1489.02 points to keep her place in August. Nigeria however have slipped from fifth best team in Africa to six. They are currently trailing Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia. Nigeria will hope to bounce to reckoning in the next round of matches of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in November. The Nigerian side also hope to win the remaining six games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when the qualification series resume in January. Meanwhile, it is getting tighter at the summit. After respectively being beaten 2-1 away to Colombia and 3-1 at home to Italy, Argentina (1st) and France (2nd) will be looking nervously in their proverbial rear-view mirrors. Spain (3rd) and England (4th) are looming large in pursuit, with Brazil (5th) and Belgium (6th) hot on their heels. Yet, despite the tremors, the top ten remains unchanged, continuing to be rounded off by the Netherlands (7th), Portugal (8th), Colombia (9th) and Italy (10th). The next FIFA Men’s World Ranking will be published on 24 October.

Labbadia may return as Super Eagles manager

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

German coach Bruno Labbadia may have sorted out contractual issues with the NFF to now take charge of the Super Eagles. Labbadia announced “New chapter” accompanied by the Nigerian flag on his Instagram this afternoon. He was to have led the Super Eagles in 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda before the NFF announced that talks broke down over who will be responsible for the payment of his taxes in Nigeria and Germany. Labbadia himself was not particularly pleased his appointment was made public by the NFF when a full agreement was not in place. The Super Eagles will play a double-header against Libya next month in continuation of the AFCON qualifying series.