Sports

AFN Set Up 5-Man Committee For Africa Games, Olympics, Others

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has set up a 5-man committee to raise a formidable athletics team for the Africa Games, the World in-door Championship, and the Olympics Games hold in Paris.

The decision was taken at the Board meeting on January 6, 2024. The 5-man committee is headed by Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (rtd).

Other members are the Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Onikeku, Amb. Manta Haruna Mohammed, Mrs. Maria Wophill, and Dr. Solomon Alao, while an official of the AFN secretariat will serve as committee secretary.

Terms of reference of the committee is to put in place a formidable athletics squad (from home and abroad) to fly the nation’s flag at the Africa Games, the World In-door Championship, and the Olympics Games in Paris.

The AFN board also dissolved all its committees after serving two years as agreed upon at the beginning of its tenure.
The Board has approved its Safeguarding Policy Committee.

The Board also set up a 3-man Committee to fashion out appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the committees, which would soon be set up by the federation.

This Committee is headed by Dr. Solomon Alao, with Mrs. Maria Wophill and Prof Emmanuel Ojeme as members. The 3-member committee is to draw up SOPs/Terms of Reference for the new Committees that will be set up as their Operational Guidelines.

The AFN Board also deliberated on the Audit Committee Report and applauded the members for their efforts. However, the Board did not uphold the particular recommendation, which tagged the various funds loaned to the federation by the President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, as ‘donations’ and thus required him to make a refund of part of his reimbursement collected.

On its part, the Board unanimously agreed that Chief Okowa should be refunded his money as soon as funds is available. This applies to all other members who have loaned out monies to the Federation as well.

Regarding the Audit Committee recommendation that the Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, be removed, the Board, while deliberating, observed that it does not have the power to remove the SG as it did not appoint her.

The Board also observed that apart from apologizing both verbally and in writing to the Board, Mosindi has been under close watch and seen to be truly remorseful and demonstrated that she has changed, and is ready to work with the Board to attain its ultimate goals. As such, the Board agreed to give her a severe reprimand and advised her to ‘sin no more’. Failing the Board would be left with no option but to approach the Ministry of Sports to do the needful.

Board Members who attended the meeting held on Zoom were:1. CHIEF TONOBOK OKOWA2. COMMODORE OMATSEYE NESIAMA (RTD)3. AMB. MANTA HARUNA MOHAMMED4. PROF. EMMANUEL OJEME5. MR. SAMUEL ONIKEKU6. DR. SOLOMON ALAO7. MRS. MARIA WOPHILL8. HON. YUSUF LIMAN DAHIRU (SENT AN APOLOGY FROM SAUDI ARABIA)9. RITA MOSINDI – SECRETARY GENERAL

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Sports

Customs CG Increases Prize Money as 2025 Volleyball League Final Phase Serves Off in Abuja

Published

2 hours ago

December 1, 2025

The Gleamer

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.

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