Sports

AFN set to roll out plans for African Games, says Audit Committee Report inconclusive

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

The board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will, this week, roll out its plans for this year’s African Games holding in Ghana.

AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, stated on Monday, January 1, 2024, that the body would meet this weekend to discuss on certain issues, including the venue for camping of the athletes. He also revealed that the last board meeting scheduled for December 31, 2023, could not hold due to the absence of some of the board members, who insisted on having the Audit committee Report as first item on the agenda.

“The AFN board is made up of people with high intergrity. There is no way we will allow a few individuals to dictate for us. The issue of Audit committee Report was debated upon in our last meeting held on December 10, and it was listed as AOB for our meeting of December 31.

The Audit Committee, which the AFN board set up to look into the financial records has five members. So far, only one or two members of the committee have been talking. We are yet to get the full report signed by the five board members.

Not until we get it, there is no way the AFN will treat it as official document. For now, the Audit Committee Report is inconclusive,” he stated.

Okowa, who is also the President of Africa Region 2 Athletics body, further stated that the AFN board would hold its meeting this Saturday unfailingly, adding that any further delay could affect the preparation of Team Nigeria for the African Games scheduled to hold in March.

He said: “As President of the AFN, I expect that the entire board should fashion out plans that Will move our athletics forward. But a situation whereby a few individuals are trying to drag us backward won’t be tolerated. If by Saturday, these same people refuse to show up for the meeting, the board will go ahead and take decision on our preparation for the African Games and other issues. Enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, Chief Okowa has described as ‘total rubbish’ a statement credited to three board members of the AFN, on Sunday.
The trio of Tafida Gadzama, Rosa Collins and Dare Esan had issued a statement on Sunday evening (December 31) saying that they boycotted the board meeting over non-inclusion of Audit Committee Report, African Games preparations in the agenda.

“Someone drew my attention to their press statement late on Sunday evening, and I feel so disappointed, particularly in Gadzama and Rosa Collins because as former athletes, I expected them to show more concerns on issues affecting the athletes and their preparation for major championships. That is missing from them.
“How can they say that some board members criticised the decision for giving less than 16 hours notice for the meeting?

The decision to hold the board meeting on Sunday December 31, 2023, was taken during our last meeting on December 10. So, how come they are deceiving Nigerians in their press statement?

As I said, people should put aside their personal hatred for one another and work for the progress of Nigeria’s athletics. I wish all Nigerian athletics fans a Happy 2024.”

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Sports

NLO Integrity Under Fire After Match-Fixing Allegations in Bauchi Clash

Published

5 hours ago

May 7, 2026

The Gleamer

..As Wikki Tourists Feeders vs Adamu Jumba FC Draws Concern Over League Credibility

A cloud of controversy now hangs over NLO One following disturbing reports from Bauchi that could undermine the progress and credibility of the Nigerian Nationwide League One under the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Shola Ogunowo.

The league body has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance on match manipulation, emphasizing that the integrity and fairness of the competition must be protected at all costs. However, Wednesday’s fixture between Wikki Tourists Feeders and Adamu Jumba FC in Bauchi has raised serious concerns after multiple eyewitnesses came forward with allegations of match-fixing.

According to eyewitness accounts, the match was allegedly fixed to favor Wikki Tourists Feeders, with the aim of helping them leapfrog current table-toppers Warinje FC in the standings. The claims, if proven true, strike at the heart of the league’s reputation as a credible pathway for emerging Nigerian talent.

The most troubling account involves the match officials. Eyewitnesses say the center referee and his assistant refused to return for the second half after noticing what they believed to be irregular conduct during the first half. It reportedly took 30 minutes of intervention and persuasion by the Bauchi State Football Association before the officials agreed to resume the game.

Further allegations point to on-field actions that appeared deliberate. Former Niger Tornadoes player Musa Wakili is said to have intentionally missed a penalty in a manner that raised suspicion among those present. In protest, Adamu Jumba’s head coach is reported to have walked out of the technical area, stating publicly that he would not be associated with anything that could tarnish his professional image.

While these remain allegations and have not been independently verified, the gravity of the claims demands immediate attention. The NLO must launch a thorough investigation to ascertain what transpired during the match and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against anyone found culpable. Allowing such conduct to go unchecked would set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust in the league.

Shola Ogunowo has earned respect for his commitment to transparency and professionalism since assuming office as COO. Stakeholders and fans alike now look to the NLO leadership to demonstrate that same resolve by addressing the matter decisively and transparently.

The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched, as it could define how seriously the NLO is prepared to defend the integrity of Nigerian grassroots football.

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