Sports

MALLAM SHEHU DIKKO BOUNCES BACK IN GRAND STYLE AS PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU HANDS OVER THE COUNTRY”S SPORTS TO ONE OF NIGERIA’S FINEST SPORTS BRAINS

Published

2 years ago

October 23, 2024

By Micheal Obasi

The Name MALLAM SHEHU DIKKO is a familiar name in the corridors of Nigerian Sports, especially football.

The Kaduna State born administrator is unarguably one of the brightest brains in the Country when it comes to comprehensive knowledge of Sports both locally and internationally.

So the news of his appointment as the Chairman of the newly created National Sports Commission, a body that is now saddled with overseeing the country’s Sports landscape, after the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports, comes as a massive news in the Sports sector that fueled wild celebrations.

Mallam SHEHU DIKKO has always been very passionate about the Growth of the Country’s Sports both from Talent enhancement to infrastructural improvement.

His Wealth of experience and clout from the Private sector and his international Sporting contacts and connections are second to none and this will be very pivotal in the new direction Nigerian Sports will be headed in the coming months.

I am personally very happy for the former NFF Vice President who was also the Chairman of the Nigerian League under the nomenclature, the League Management Company, LMC, because his immeasurable value to Nigerian Sports can now finally be maximised as the man now driving Nigeria Sports.

Mallam Shehu DIKKO is not your regular Nigerian Politician but more of an astute administrator who understands how to bridge the gap between the Private sector and Public sector .

He knows that the biggest challenge facing the growth of Sports in Nigeria is funding and if there is one man who holds the aces on how funds can be generated from the Private sector is Mallam DIKKO.

He is a top notch marketing guru who understands the language of the Private sector and the various Sporting Federations in the country will surely be better for it.

Without a doubt, Nigeria Sports can never be the same again with Mallam DIKKO at the helm.

The appointment of DIKKO is even coming at the right time for both Nigeria Football and the entire Sports at large.

It’s a massive boost for Nigeria football that a former NFF Vice President is now in charge of the Country’s Sports.A man who knows the NFF like he knows his name.

And for the Country’s sports, his appointment is coming at a time where Nigeria just returned from a disappointing outing at the 2024 Olympics Games and has adequate time to plan for the next one in four years time.

It is surely an exciting time for Nigeria Sports and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”s Renewed Hope mantra is just about to have a Sports face.

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Sports

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

Published

4 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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