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Anambra State Government and NFF bribe Club Owners with #500,000 to stage scripted protest against Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and Minister for Sports

Published

5 years ago

October 20, 2020

Joel Ajayi

In continuance with the ongoing corrupt entanglement between the Anambra State Government and the NFF, the sum of #500,000.00 has been promised to any Club Owner, who pens his signature in a protest letter addressed to the Senate Committee on Sports headed by Obinna Ogba, against the Honourable Minister for Sports, Hon Sunday Dare and the Chairman of ANSFA, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah

This desperate ploy was hatched by the NFF and funded by the State Government, in reaction to the candid verdict of the Sports Minister, on the ongoing charade and distraction in Anambra State Football

The NFF agreed to go to bed with the State Government on the condition that the Awka Mini-stadium as well as some other contracts in the State, will be awarded exclusively to the NFF using Monimichelle as a proxy, with an earmarked sum of #1.2 billion nairas as a mobilizer to continue sponsoring illegality against Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, in hopes that he might get distracted from pursuing his Gubernatorial ambition in 2021

The funny this is, only the Anambra State Football Congress has the right to invite any third party into the FA and as such, this latest charade is dead on arrival and elicit the following questions:

1. The Club Owners are part of the Anambra State Football Congress which means they were part and parcel of the elections before, during and after. So at what stage did these few Club Owners realise that all is not well?

2. The Appeals and Electoral Committees till date, never got any complaint against the process including from the Club Owners who have agreed to this devil’s snare. Why?

3. Can these Club Owners provide irrefutable proof to support their grievance in line with breaches in the Electoral process which must include but not limited to deliberate disenfranchisement for the post of Chairmanship of the FA?

4. Why is it that no other position is under controversy except the Chairmanship even when nobody bought the forms except Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah?

5. If the election process is flawed, then why is nobody contesting the results of the Board (7 members) and LFC positions (21 members)?

6. Why is the NFF hellbent on sacrificing the integrity of football in Anambra State by becoming an active political tool for #1.2 billion naira contracts in exchange?

7. How come all of a sudden, The Governor has decided to invest #1.2 billion in contracts, awarded to the NFF, when he has never had any Special Adviser, no Special Assistant and no Commissioner for Sports, never sponsored or facilitated any Sports for the State (the Police Games in a National Event so it doesn’t count and even then, 80% of the event took place in other South Eastern States so it was the South East that hosted the event, not Anambra State owing to lack of infrastructure) since he assumed power 6 years ago till date?

8. Before this present Government, we had Anambra Sports Festival, School Inter House Sports, Inter School Games, Trader’s Cup and Governor’s Cup. All of these have been murdered by this administration so why the sudden fixation on ANSFA alone, instead of resurrecting the grassroots Sports activities if truly they care about Sports in Anambra State?

Surely by now, Ndi Anambra have seen that this is a deliberate witch-hunt against Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah by unscrupulous and shameless elements with zero passion for the growth and integrity of the game

Until the NFF can intelligently counter the 169-page dossier of Sen Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, they will simply be beating around the bush whilst milking Anambra State dry by preying on the naivety and desperation of The Governor

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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