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

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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