Sports
AFN set to roll out plans for African Games, says Audit Committee Report inconclusive
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.”
Sports
Customs CG Increases Prize Money as 2025 Volleyball League Final Phase Serves Off in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
As the final phase of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) National Volleyball Premier League for men and women commenced, with organisers reaffirming their commitment to improving player welfare, competition standards, and overall development of the sport in Nigeria.
Speaking at the press conference to mark the start of the final phase, the Customs Director General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented at the event by the Secretary of Sports Nigeria Customs Service Samuel Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the league’s debut last year.
According to the organisers, the CGC has insisted that players remain at the centre of the project, noting that 70% of last year’s budget went directly to athletes. Based on lessons from the maiden edition, several adjustments were made in 2025 to enhance welfare and fairness.
“One of the key improvements was the increase in team subsidies, which rose from ₦300,000 per team to ₦500,000.
“During the first phase of the 2025 league, a total of ₦24 million was disbursed—₦12 million to players and another ₦12 million to teams.
“The same amount will be released for the final phase, bringing the total subsidy for the season to ₦48 million.”
Onileku stressed that the Comptroller-General is particularly passionate about ensuring that players—“the main characters everyone comes to watch”—receive adequate compensation for their sacrifice and commitment. Beyond volleyball, the Customs CG is reportedly extending similar support to wrestling, football, and soon, athletics.
The prize money structure remains unchanged from last year, after the CG increased it from the initial ₦3m–₦2m–₦1m format to ₦5 million for the champions, ₦3 million for second place, and ₦2 million for third place.
He hinted that the prizes could still rise before the end of the tournament, noting that volleyball currently offers some of the highest rewards among team sports in Nigeria outside football.
Individual awards, each valued at ₦100,000, also remain intact.
In addition, the CG introduced a new category this year: the Most Disciplined Team Award for both men and women, reflecting his strong emphasis on discipline and sportsmanship.
Onikeku who is also an AFN Board Member expressed gratitude to members of the press for what they described as “100% support” during the African Clubs Championship, noting that widespread coverage—both English and French—helped elevate the sport’s visibility. They added that this was one of the reasons the CG of Customs was recently honoured as a grand patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
On behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Onikeku thanked all stakeholders, expressing confidence that by the final, the league would once again record a successful outing.
Speaking also, the Representatives of Nigeria Volleyball NVBF the 2nd Vice President Arch Adamu Tenimu thanked the Nigeria Customs for the supports reaffirming that the Service remain as the sole sponsor of the league and a core partner in the sport’s broader development.
He praised the Customs Service for its continued commitment, noting that their involvement has been instrumental in elevating the Premier League to internationally acceptable standards.
“Customs has played a key role in bringing us to this level, and we will continue to appreciate and seek this kind of partnership,” he added.
Beyond the ongoing competition, the Federation announced a major structural shift in its calendar. Beginning next year, the NVBF will no longer conclude all major local competitions at the end of the year—when many athletes and officials are often preparing for holidays.
While giving Vote of Thanked, the NVBF board Member, Mrs Chinedu Odozor Onikeku expressed gratitude to the CGC Adeniyi, President, Board, and all stakeholders for their support and commitment throughout the season.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News11 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
