Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Ownan Enoh has re-echoed the government’s strong sense of priority to the welfare of athletes, affirming that the Ministry of Sports Development is dedicated to working tirelessly for their benefit.

Senator Enoh emphasized, “Every effort is being made to be on top of the need to ensure the welfare of athletes is well taken care of. We need to make sure they have everything they are supposed to have.” The declaration underscored the Ministry’s steadfast determination to provide athletes with the necessary support and resources to thrive in their respective sports.

Recognizing the importance of fostering a positive atmosphere within Nigerian sports, Senator Enoh emphasized the need to concentrate on generating optimistic energy. He stressed the significance of nurturing a vibrant and supportive environment that encourages athletes to perform at their best and achieve remarkable feats on both national and international platforms.

Furthermore, Senator Enoh urged Team Nigeria to surpass previous achievements and set new records at the upcoming African Games. By encouraging athletes to aim higher and strive for excellence, the Ministry aims to inspire a culture of continuous improvement and achievement in Nigerian sports.

As the Ministry of Sports Development continues to champion the welfare of athletes, Senator Enoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing unwavering support and resources to empower athletes to reach their full potential

Heartland football club gaffer, Coach Christian Obi has assured teaming fans that the process of climbing out of the NPFL table drop zone has just begun and can be achievable following the right process, The statesman Newspaper sports desk can exclusively report.

Obi who relishes the memories of his first NPFL win on Wednesday March 13, 2024 against Abia Warriors at the Awka city stadium in Anambra state, Heartland’s temporary adopted home ground revealed this to the statesman correspondent after the 2-0 victory.

The Naze millionaires ended their nine game winless streak with a superb 2-0 outclassing of Abia Warriors in another oriental derby that has been dominated by the visiting team.

The last time the Owerri side secured a win was against Remo Stars in Owerri on Matchday 16 fixture that ended 3-1 under short lived coach Kennedy Boboye.

However, Christian Obi led Heartland FC gave a glimpse of what to expect against Abia Warriors when they travelled to Katsina to face the Chanji Boys. They were a few more minutes from recording a famous away win before the controversial ending.

But against Abia Warriors, the Coach Obi tutored side showed their true intent of climbing out of the drop zone on the field of play with an emphatic win.

20th minutes curtain raiser from Onyedikachi Okafor and 24th minutes header from Ikechukwu Mgbemena secured the much anticipated Naze millionaires win.

One of the highlights of the second half was the straight red cards given to Heartland’s Andrew Abalogu and Ijoma Antoine in the 59th minute. Abalogu had reacted angrily to the tackle from Antoine on Ikechukwu Mgbemena and it drew the attention of the centre referee who didn’t hesitate in giving them the marching orders after establishing what happened.

In his post match reactions, the elated and relieved gaffer, Coach Christian Obi told the Statesman Newspaper correspondent, that the process of climbing out of relegation zone has began in earnest and is achievable if given the right support.

He thanked everyone who offered support and assured fans that the process of climbing out has begun.

In his exact words Coach Obi said;
‘The Almighty God has done it, the Jinx has been broken and I’m excited and I want to use this opportunity to thank everybody that contributed to this success, I want to commend you all.

We are climbing the ladder and you know climbing the ladder has a process so we will take it one step at a time .” Obi Said.

Success they say ‘comes with a lot of friends’ and once again Imolites has expressed renewed faith in Coach Obi and also renewed hope of Heartland surviving relegation once again.

In another news Heartland’s next game is against Rivers United in Port Harcourt United on Sunday. The game was moved from the initial Saturday schedule and will now be played on Sunday.

Heartland have moved a spot from the shores of relagation as they now occupy the 19th position on the log.

For his years of proactiveness, self-motivation and passion to resolve challenging tasks at the Nationwide League One (NLO), Tayo Egbaiyelo has been honoured with an Icon Of Youths Development Award.

The Award of Excellence was proudly presented to Mr Tayo Egbaiyelo, (Member Of the Niger -MON) by the National Association Of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS).

The ICON OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT award was in recognition of Egbaiyelo’s tremendous contribution towards peacebuilding,
educational upliftment, exceptional track record of philanthropy and relentless services to the nation, the student body said.

The Chief Administrative Officer at the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and NLO’s League Manager expressed his delight.

Recall, that Egbaiyelo was a former Secretary of the Under 17 national men’s team (Golden Eaglets).

Egbaiyelo as Secretary of the U17 team to the World Cups in the United Arab Emirates and Chile, saw Nigeria produce the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon and Uzoho.

While Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Nwakali, and Chigozie Awaziem excelled from the 2015 edition.

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has fined Enyimba FC and Doma United for misconduct during an NPFL encounter in Aba.

According to the league body, “the reigning NPFL Champions will pay a fine of N1m for not providing adequate security for their last home match against Doma United. Enyimba will pay another N1m for encroachment on to the pitch by their fans and other unauthorized persons.

“The Aba based NPFL side will also pay N5m fine for the disruption of live broadcast of the match. The Enyimba Stadium will be closed for fans in their next 3 home league matches. They have 48 hours to appeal the decision.

“Doma United have been charged for breaching NPFL Framework and Rules in the course of their Matchday 24 fixture at Enyimba on March 10, 2024.

“Doma United conducted themselves in a manner capable of bringing the game to disrepute. Doma United also failed to ensure the proper conduct of their players & officials in the course the match vs Enyimba.

“Another N1 million fine has been imposed on Doma Utd for general misconduct and failure to ensure proper conduct of their players & officials.

“Doma United have been fined N1 million for misconduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute. Doma United have 48 hours within the date of notice of sanctions to appeal.”

The Chairman of the Players Union Board, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, NANPF, Abe Sunday has inaugurated the members of the 2024 Congress Committee.

Abe, who inaugurated the committee on behalf of the board confirmed the following Football Personalities and Officials of the Union as Members of NANPF Congress 2024 Committee:

1 Austin Popo – Chairman
2 Mohammed Ameenu – Vice Chairman
3 Bature Saleh – Member
4 Waheed Adeoye Lawal – Member
5 Kennedy Onwunali – Member
6 Ademola Omidiji – Secretary

“The Committee is vested with the responsibility to organise the Nigeria Players Union Congress 2024, Comprising All Clubs Captains of NPFL, NNL, and NWFL and selected number of NLO Clubs based on Geographical spread immediately after the end of the current Football league season.

“The Committee has the mandate to determine the Agenda, Date, Venue, sponsor(s) , and other activities that can be incorporated as part of the Congress. Thank you for your acceptance.”

The Nationwide League One has announced a deal worth a staggering sum of N964 million as a sponsorship deal with New Year Mega Lottery.

This sponsorship will make New Year Mega Lottery the official Title Sponsor of the third-tier domestic football league in Nigeria for the next four seasons.

The NLO signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with New Year Mega Lottery at a special signing and unveiling event held at the Harris Hotel, Wuye in Abuja on Thursday, March 14th, in Abuja.

The announcement was made by the former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State now NLO Chairman, His Excellency Silas Agara, during the unveiling of New Year Mega Lottery to the media.

Agara provided a detailed breakdown of the sponsorship deal, stating that the Nigerian licensed lottery company will provide an annual payment of 241 Million Naira in cash and value in kind, totalling a sum of #964,000,000 Naira for the four seasons of the sponsorship deal.

“New Year Mega Lottery is a Nigerian firm and lottery company licensed by the Nigeria Lottery Commission; they will be our Title Sponsor for the NLO.

“The sponsorship deal will run for four seasons and of Two Hundred And Forty-One Million Naira (N241, 000, 000) annually (both Cash and Value in kind). With the annual payment totalling the sum of N964, 000, 000, 00 (Nine Hundred And Sixty-Four Million Naira).

“This sponsorship recognises NLO not just as a football body but also acknowledges our position as the league with the single-biggest football talent base in Africa.”

The collaboration between the Nationwide League One and New Year Mega Lottery is intended to effectively promote and elevate the status of grassroots football in the country, aiming to establish it as a prominent Nigerian spectacle and one of the most flourishing and appealing leagues on the continent.

In her address during the epoch-making occasion the representative of New Year Mega Lottery, Ms. Obiorah Emmanuella, Head of Corporate Communications, said it was the firm passion for football and humanitarian commitments that have compelled them to sponsor the NLO.

She also canvassed for the support of other well-meaning Nigerians to ensure grassroots football continues to flourish.

She said: “We are thrilled to enter this sponsorship deal with the Nationwide League One (NLO) and engage a large audience through our brand. It is for the love of soccer and a prioritized social responsibility in line with our humanitarian commitments, that prompted us to sponsor the NLO.

“Through this collaboration, we are also excited to connect with the future generation of football athletes at the grassroots level across Nigeria and help them grow. The company’s strong commitment to nurturing and empowering talents, fostering opportunities, and gratifying fans within its market are among the primary motivations for aligning with the NLO.

“I want to use this medium to urge other well-meaning Nigerians to get involved in the development of these laudable sports to enable the country to attain its expected height in world football,” she said.

By sponsoring the NLO until 2027, New Year Mega Lottery is building on its rich history as a frontline provider of job creation and empowerment through sports and education in Nigeria.

Abia Comets FC Left Back/Centre Back, Oscar Nwimo has revealed that he is hopeful of the team’s chance of securing a positive result, ahead of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday 14 Clash Against Dakkada FC, at the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday.

The Imo State-born left back, who has been producing an impressive display in the second stanza of the season for the Comets side was one of the standout performers in the last away victory against Vandrezzer FC two weeks ago In Uyo and also in the 1-1 home draw when Rovers FC came visiting last Saturday.

While Speaking with the Abia Comets Media, shortly after the training session, on Thursday morning, Nwimo said it will be a difficult game against a good Dakkada FC side but feels hopeful of a positive result

“Yes, the team have been preparing well and training hard ahead of the game against Dakkada FC, on Saturday, which is an important encounter for both sides,” Nwimo told Abia Comets media.

“Of course, Dakkada is a good side and most importantly, we must respect our opponent. But we are going to show our qualities even as we are playing away from home.”

Nwimo, also further explained that the team’s last victory over Vandrezzer FC in Uyo, will give them confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash.

“Yes, I’m confident because the last we came to Uyo, we were able to secure a vital victory. So I believe we will show the same character and attitude against Dakkada FC.

“So, we will be hopeful of a positive result, because we know what is at stake and also the quality of the team we are going to play against. But I believe in what we can achieve and also the trust we have in the team, because we are on a eight games unbeaten run and we will give our all to make sure that the Unbeaten streak continues by securing a positive result against Dakkada FC in Uyo.” He concluded.

Comets will be hopeful of a positive second home coming to Uyo this Saturday, as the players are eager to extend its unbeaten record to nine games at the end of the day.

The management of Katsina United Football Club wishes Coach Bala Abubakar best of luck in his future undertakings following his departure as the Club’s Technical Advisor.

This is stated in a letter signed by the Club Interim Chairman, Alh Kabir Dan’lami Rimi, and sent to the Club Media Officer.

In the letter, the chairman commended Coach Bala Abubakar for his commitment to the squad during his short stint as Technical Advisor.

However, the chairman noticed with dismay the charge made by the leaving T.A on difficulties about his four-month pay owed the Club.

This is as a result of not capturing the T.A into the state government payroll, as Coach Bala Abubakar is fully aware of the interim management committee’s efforts to include him in the state payroll prior to announcing his resignation.

Furthermore, the Club Interim Chairman has offered Coach Bala Abubakar three times the amount of his compensation in order to make his stay in the squad more compatible.

Regarding the lack of a conducive atmosphere in the team, Coach Bala Abubakar is well aware of the management’s concern for his protection and welfare, particularly during home and away matches.

Finally, the Club Interim Chairman, Alh Kabir Dan’lami Rimi, reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the Club’s positive image by ensuring it’s success.

Akintunde Azeez’ goal off a rebound after a missed opportunity from the spot by Clinton Jephta allows Tornadoes to record a nail biting slim victory over stubborn Sporting Lagos at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna in a Matchday 25 encounter.

Tornadoes enjoyed more possession of the ball during first half and deservedly takes the lead after the centre referee spotted a foul on Clinton Jephta who was brought down inside the box and duly awarded a penalty for the hosts. Clinton missed from the spot as Christain Nwoke parried the ball but Akintunde Azeez was in good position and quickest to react as he smashes home to put his team in front in the 9th minute of play.

Tornadoes dominated the better part of the half and goes into the break with a deserved lead.

Second half restarted with a cautious approach to the game by both teams. The visitors however seized moment as they grow in confidence and determine the pace of the game mid- way through the half. Junior Lokosa was a threat upfront for the visitors but was contained by a defensive master class of both Mohammed Hussaini and Silvester Bell and the striker fails to rescue his side from a road defeat.

The win moves Tornadoes to 14th place on the log with 30 points cushion.