Sports
Nigeria Customs Service Embarks on Training Tour

Joel Ajayi
As part of preparations for the 2025 African Women’s Club Championship, the Nigeria Customs Service women’s volleyball team has embarked on a training tour in Benin Republic.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The team departed for Benin Republic on Wednesday.
The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving the training tour.
He emphasised that the tour would allow the players and coaching crew to assess their level of preparedness for the upcoming championship.
Onikeku expressed confidence in the team’s potential to make a strong impression at the tournament, citing the support received from the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly through the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
He said, “The volleyball team has traveled to Benin Republic for a 10-day training tour. The players have been in camp since February, and this tour will provide them with an opportunity to compete against teams outside the country.
“I want to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving this training tour.
“During the training tour, Nigeria Customs Service will take on strong opponents from Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo.
“The support we received from Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, has been tremendous, and the team is committed to making the country proud.”
He said the service is determined to better their position after finishing fourth place in 2021.
Sports
Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

…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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