Featured

Abba Bichi Extends N20m Ambassadorial Deal With 5-Stars Football

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2021

Foremost grassroots football organisers and intermediary company 5Stars Football have extended their ambassadorial agreement with Nigerian youth international Abba Bichi Jr in a mouthwatering N20 million deal. The signing took place last Friday 6th August 2021 at a private dinner in Abuja, a year after the initial partnership was agreed.

The last year has seen an exponential growth for both parties in this partnership, as 5Stars as a company were able to wither the storm of the Covid-19 lockdown that threatened a lot of businesses especially outdoor events by applying best practices and ensuring coronavirus cases were not recorded by guests, officials and players alike during the 5Stars Premier League “New Normal Season” backed a great deal by the company’s brand ambassador.

Abba Bichi on the other hand officially unveiled his brand Bichi Jr as a league sponsor and also had his own grassroots teams, Bichi FC participate and perform credibly well in the league. Around that time frame, the 5Stars Football Academy was launched as well as the inaugural Enugu Carnival Cup later that December.

Abba Bichi’s partnership with 5Stars has seen the teenager’s influence in the social community grow and take on more responsibilities regarding grassroots development in Nigeria, especially in his hometown Kano with the recent Abba Bichi Cup held last month in July.

Strategic planning has also been in place over the last few months for the much-anticipated Emirates Cup, which is taking place later in the year which the 5Stars football and consultancy company have been at the forefront of, in a bid to ensure the dream of the Kano-born forward becomes a reality. Why repair what isn’t broken? The strides that have been made in the last year have been beneficial for both parties involved and a renewal of close ties seemed logical and attainable.

The next one-year promises much for Abba and 5Stars as the deal will encompass the plans for the annual 7-aside grassroots league season, in view of extending the grassroots mileage across Africa. The grassroots haven’t known it this good.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook