Dikko, Gusau inspect proposed NFF hotel, training pitch site in Abuja

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON, on Wednesday conducted the Chairman of National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko round the proposed site for the NFF Hotel and new training pitch, which is adjacent the NFF Headquarters inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. This ambitious project is designed to establish a state-of-the-art accommodation facility intended specifically for the national football teams. The vision behind the proposed hotel, which has been a project close to the heart of the Ibrahim Gusau administration since it took office 28 months ago, is to free the NFF of the humongous expenses incurred regularly in accommodating the different National Teams. In drastically reducing expenses on accommodation, the football-governing body intends to redirect such funds towards more critical areas, such as nurturing local football talent and bolstering the overall infrastructure of Nigeria football. During the site inspection, Mallam Dikko and NFF President Gusau evaluated multiple aspects of the location under consideration. Key factors included the ease of accessibility for both players and support staff, the level of security provided by the surrounding area, and the proximity of the site to essential training facilities. Their discussions extended beyond site assessment, as they also strategized about the project’s overall timeline, budget considerations, and the potential for partnerships with private investors or corporate entities that might be interested in supporting the laudable initiative. They were in company with top NFF officials including the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, as well as principal aides of the NSC supremo, including Barr. Musa Amadu (former NFF General Secretary) and Mallam Salihu Abubakar. The NFF National Teams Hotel project is in alignment with the overarching mission of the NSC, which is to promote and enhance the development of sports across Nigeria. As the principal authority entrusted with regulating sports in the nation, the NSC is dedicated to endorsing programs and initiatives that bolster Nigeria’s sporting framework.

Read More

NSC inaugurates Elites Athletes Devt. and Podium Board

In his avowed commitment towards taken sports to a podium height, the Chairman National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko has inaugurated the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board charging them to be proactive and ensure Nigerian sports meets up with global success. Speaking during the inauguration held recently at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, the Chairman said, globally sports has gone technical, hence the need for crucial measures to be able to meet up with global practices; “Setting up the Board is a crucial step towards strengthening Nigeria’s Sports Development and ensure our athletes achieve global success.” Mallam Dikko noted that Members of the board, are seasoned sports technocrats who were carefully selected to bring in their wealth of experience, to drive sports and prepare Atheletes to podium performance internationally. “Their collective expertise will be instrumental in the development and success of our athletes, together we will create an environment that nortures talents, promotes excellence and delivers results”. As a Commission, he stated further that we are working hard to bring back all the key areas in sports especially in grassroots sports development through re introduction of school sports and and setting up of center of excellence in various tertiary institutions where our young talents can be nortured. The Chairman expressed his optimism in his leadership, to drive sports to an enviable level and with the line of budget put in place for the various tiers of the sector, the pace has been set for the private sector to come in, this way the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President for the creation of a sports industry can also be achieved,” he said. Earlier, the Director General of the Commission, Honourable Olapade olubukola, commended the initiative of forming the board which he said is a significant step towards achieving its vision of making Nigeria a force to be reckoned with in the world of sports. “With your support and guidance we believe that our athletes will have the best possible preparations, training and resources to achieve podium success and bring glory to the nation.” He expressed confidence in the board and assured them of the full support of the commission, encouraging them to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of their mandate. In his remark, the media aide to the President and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare congratulated the newly inaugurated board members and urged them to see the job as a service to the Nation. He commended the President for his commitment in seeing to the development of sports in the country while encouraging the sports leadership to take the podium performance seriously stressing that; “Your achievements cannot be measured by beautiful stadium built, but by podium performance and you can have all the money, if podium performance does not have gold medals coming in you have achieved nothing,” he said. The Board is to be headed by Mr Yusuf Ali, other members are; Prof. Ken Anugweje, Bambo Akanni, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Mallam Salisu Abubakar, Aku Aghazu, Tunde Adelakun, Prof.Sadiq Abdulahi, Mary Onyeali, Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi, Suleiman Isah, Olumide Oyedeji and Bamiduro Olumide. The Terms of Reference among othing things includes Developing a robust and sustainable high performance system for podium success, identify and defining the broad range of roles and responsibilities of the entire high performance chain, construct an organogram for establishment of various roles, design and implement talent identification, development and progress as well as see to the selection preparation and participation of Atheletes for major international tournaments. They are to be giving monthly annual report to the Commission. Responding on behalf of the inaugurated members ,the Chief Executive of the Board Mr Yusuf Ali thanked the Commission for finding them worthy to serve the country in that capacity. He appreciated the opportunity given them to serve, but assured that they will deliver on the mandate given.

Read More

NSC, Plateau State partner to advance mutual interests in sports

The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko on Friday received Plateau State Governor Bar. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang in the NSC Secretariat in Abuja. The visit enabled both parties to discuss strategic roadmap to advance issues of mutual interest in sports. Rising from the meeting, they resolved to set up a joint-working committee to implement the objectives set in the areas identified. Among wide-ranging issues, discussions included the state collaborating with the Commission in the state’s intention to complete the New Jos Township Stadium, a project the present administration is committed to executing. Similarly, the NSC will activate the Commission’s Training Center in Plateau including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approval for the NSC to align with the state government regarding the asset. Governor Mutfwang applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restoring the National Sports Commission and appointing Dikko as Chairman. He expressed his confidence in Dikko’s capacity to take Nigerian Sports forward. “I have been following closely everything said about this appointment. This is about the first time in sports that everyone is saying that the right person was picked. We must thank Mr. President for getting this spot-on. Monitoring developments in sports since then, there is no doubt that the sector is heading upwards. I am so sure that this collaboration will yield desired results because of the man in charge of sports in the country”, he said. Mallam Dikko is similarly optimistic about the collaboration. His words, “It is interesting to note the vast knowledge His Excellency has about sports and his commitment to drive its growth in Plateau state. Where there is a will there will surely be a way. Plateau is a place of interest to us. There is a lot that both parties can do together and when the joint-working committee is set up, we will pick it up from there.”

Read More

SWAN congratulates Shehu Dikko, hails Tinubu for returning to National Sports Commission

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has hailed the emergence of astute administrator, Mallam Shehu Dikko, as the Chairman of the newly reinstated National Sports Commission (NSC). In a congratulatory letter to the NSC helmsman dated October 23, 2024, signed by the Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, described Mallam Dikko as an experienced and hardworking sports doyen who has proven himself over the years. Part of the letter reads, “SWAN as a professional body celebrates your emergence as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission. Your appointment is a strong indication that the Sports sector will soon experience huge relief from the current burden of ineffectiveness and inefficiencies. “As a known Sports personality, you are not a stranger in the system, both within Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Having undertaken previous responsibilities and delivered outstandingly, your new position as the number one man on the saddle presents new opportunity for you to once again prove your mettle as a team player. “As sporting media, we are quite optimistic in your ability to turn things around as we assure you of our support as always. Being a friend of the media, we believe our partnership will continue to be strengthened as you creatively evolve a progressive and sustainable grassroots development strategy for Nigeria’s Sports.” Meanwhile, the SWAN President has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his apt initiative in reinstating the NSC years after it was jettisoned by his predecessor. The number one sports writer in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the action of the President is a clear demonstration of his determination to revolutionise Nigeria’s sporting architecture. “This single approach to Nigeria’s Sports Development back with immediate action shows that our President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is headed towards the right direction in returning the lost glory of Nigeria among the comity of Nations as far as Sports sector is concerned. “Sports as second most viable economic growth option globally after ICT requires intense funding and attention as it gives teeming youth the opportunity to be engaged, empowered as well as thrive in their chosen area of endeavours,” he said.

Read More

Tinubu appoints Shehu Dikko as NSC boss

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission. This appointment comes after the president scraped the Ministry of Sports Development and had its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission in order to develop a vibrant sports economy. The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, was redeployed as the Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Dikko, the Kaduna State-born football administrator, was the Chairman of the League Management Company responsible for the management of the Nigerian Professional Football League. He previously served as a consultant for the Nigerian House of Representatives on Sports committee. Dikko contested for the President of the Nigeria Football Federation in 2022, but later stepped down for Ibrahim Gusau who emerged victorious. Also scrapped was the Ministry of Niger Delta which was replaced with Ministry of Regional Development to oversee the activities of all the Regional Development Commissions. Tinubu also merged the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to become Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.

Read More