Sports
Nigeria to Host World Athletics Africa Road Running Conference, as NSC Formulates Organizing Committee
In preparation for Nigeria’s hosting of the upcoming World Athletics Africa Road Running Conference, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has constituted the event’s Organizing Committee, naming Chief Solomon Ogba, First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), as the Chairman.
The Committee comprises distinguished sports administrators and seasoned professionals drawn from both the sports industry and corporate sector.
Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized the careful selection process behind the committee’s composition. “The members of the Committee were meticulously selected because of their professionalism and tested qualities, and I have no doubt that they will all bring their wealth of experience to bear to ensure we stage a befitting Road Running conference which will be the first of its kind in the country,” he said.
Director General of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, added that hosting the conference will open doors for more international events in Nigeria. “This is another milestone for refocusing and resetting our Sports developmental goals, and I have no doubt that we have picked a good team to achieve the successful hosting of the Conference,” the DG stated.
Full list of committee members:
1. Chief Solomon Ogba – Chairman
2. Mr. Segun Ogunleye – Member (Corporate Nigeria)
3. Mrs. Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu – Member (Corporate Nigeria)
4. Mr. Danladi Verheijen – Member (Corporate Nigeria)
5. Ms. Aku Aghazu – Member
6. Ms. Otonye Iworima – Member
7. Mr. Travih Nunayon – Member
8. Mr. Yusuf Ali – Member
9. Mr. Femi Adeniran – Member (Corporate Nigeria)
10. Ms. Aisha Shuaibu – Member
11. Mr. Salihu Abubakar – Member
12. Mr. Kunle Solaja – Member
13. Mr. Dare Esan – Member
14. Ms. Tayo Popoola – Member
15. Mr. Israel Iwang – Secretary
Sports
NLO’s Shola Ogunowo Earns Praise for Driving Grassroots Football and Exemplifying Integrity
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian football community has lauded Mr. Shola Ogunowo, Chief Operating Officer of the Nationwide League One (NLO), for his unwavering commitment to integrity and the development of grassroots football, earning him widespread respect and admiration across the sporting landscape.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by Okechukwu Okebugwu, Mr. Ogunowo was praised as a transformative leader who has redefined the ethics and standards of football administration at the grassroots level. According to the release, Ogunowo has emerged as a “leading figure in the fight against match-fixing, bribery, and all forms of corruption” that have plagued the lower tiers of Nigerian football for decades.
Through consistent enforcement of transparency, fairness, and accountability, Mr. Ogunowo is steering the NLO toward becoming a credible platform where talent can be discovered and nurtured based on merit, rather than manipulation or favoritism.
“In an environment where shortcuts and compromises are all too common, Shola Ogunowo has remained a pillar of integrity,” Okebugwu stated. “He is restoring credibility to grassroots football by ensuring that fair play, discipline, and professionalism are non-negotiable.”
Since taking over as COO, Ogunowo has spearheaded a number of structural reforms aimed at instilling discipline and operational excellence among participating clubs. These include stricter licensing requirements, performance audits, and compliance monitoring to ensure clubs uphold the league’s code of conduct. His administration has also emphasized youth development, with a renewed focus on coaching education and player welfare.
The result is a reinvigorated Nationwide League One that is beginning to attract renewed attention from fans, corporate sponsors, and local communities. Observers say Ogunowo’s leadership is helping reshape perceptions of grassroots football—not just as a stepping stone to the elite leagues, but as a vital foundation for the future of Nigerian football.
“His leadership is not only impacting the pitch—it’s rebuilding trust, creating real value, and setting a good standard for sports administration in Nigeria,” Okebugwu concluded.
As the NLO season progresses, many stakeholders believe that with figures like Shola Ogunowo at the helm, the future of grassroots football in Nigeria is not only secure, but promising.
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