Sports

Come and invest in Nigeria Leagues, Aluo woos investors

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The newly constituted chairman of NNL, Mr George Aluo, has appealed to all investors in the country to come and invest in the Nigerian leagues for the growth and development of the football in the country.

While in Abuja, on Monday, shortly after NFF, under the leadership of Ibrahim Gusua, inaugurated the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Nation-Wide League one and the Nigeria Women Football League, Mr Aluo expressed that without the support of corporate bodies and individual, Nigeria football will not experience the needed growth and development.

He said: ” I know what Nigeria leagues look like, I covered the league for more than two decades, when we used to enter night bus to Kaduna, Sokoto, Calabar, Kano, Benin, to mention a few.

“I know what Nigeria league looks like in the past, those days of enthusiasm where our pitch filled to the brim, and then somehow, the foreign league came in and most of the supporters have passion for the foreign league, everybody is now talking about Chelsea, Man U and Arsenal and the rest, but we can still get it right as a country, we have talents, we have the population, a country where people like football, a country where the only thing that unite us is nothing but football, so we should get it right at the domestic scene.

“My appeal to the corporate bodies, is to come and invest in Nigeria football because, at the end of the day if there’s no investment in our football, we can’t get it right.
I see Nigeria’s companies even advertising in European leagues to the detriment of our indigenous leagues, I want to use this medium to remind them of the saying that “Charity begins at home.”

Please, come and identify with our leagues, especially now that we have people of integrity on the Board, because without private individuals investing in the game, we will not achieve the best.

“So, if the corporate bodies are ready to support the newly constituted Board, the sky will be the limit for Nigeria’s football.”

NNL Boss however, commended NFF for picking people who are credible and ready to contribute their quota to develop Nigerian Leagues on all of the constituted boards.

He also, called on the media not to withdraw their support for the Nigeria’s urged them to channel their energy on report that will help to take the league to the next level.

Others members of Newly Constituted board of NNL includes, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki (Vice Chairman); Mr. Yakubu Sarma (Member); Mallam Sani Mohammed (Member); Dr. Donald Ikpe (Member); Chief Joseph Uzoma Ebowusim (Member); Chief Dotun Sanusi (Member); Mr. Emmanuel Attah (CEO).

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

11 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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