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Anambra FA Brouhaha: Nigeria On Standstill As Minister Of Sports Decides Today

Published

5 years ago

October 13, 2020

By Niyi Busari

Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare will have his integrity to protect when he comes out on Tuesday to say his verdict on the Anambra Football Association election brouhaha.

Anambra FA Electoral Committee had on August 2nd announced Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as the winner of the election which was conducted virtually.

A few days later, the Nigeria Football Federation annulled the election and set up the Caretaker Committee.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who comes out to speak about the Election for the first time since the victory of the August 2nd election had written to the ministry of sports to come and save Nigeria football and also stated that he has all it takes to nail NFF in the matter they have no jurisdiction about.

The minister invited both parties to a meeting in his stadium office to hear their views.

When the meeting commenced, Anambra State FA Chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah painstakingly reeled out steps taken by the FA Electoral Committee in overseeing the election. This includes but not limited to getting a go-ahead approval from the National NCDC signed by its Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu. To buttress his point, he cited a letter where the NFF confirmed that setting up a Caretaker Committee is against the FIFA, CAF, NFF, and Katsina State FA statutes, the letter written by the NFF on 17th April 2019 with Ref No: NFF/GEN/385/1/14 Titled; Re: Dissolution of Katsina State Appointment of Caretaker Committee By Congress. On page 1, paragraph 2, reads in parts, “That FIFA, CAF, NFF, and Katsina state FA statutes do not contemplate or provide for Caretaker Committee.

Meanwhile, the same NFF turned back and set up a Caretaker Committee in Anambra FA Election.

When confronted with facts, the leader of the NFF delegation, Ibrahim Gusau who was caught in the web, first showed his lack of composure when he failed to present the NFF defense statement before the panel. He also failed to convince and defend the federation’s statute.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah also stated that the election is an internal matter and all internal mechanisms should be exhausted before NFF could be invited t come in.

NFF, however, in its defense relied on a complainant letter written by the former Secretary of the FA on August 3, a day after the state Election, stating that he is no longer the state FA. In its response letter to the former Secretary of Anambra State FA, NFF set up Caretaker Committee on the same day without recourse to the Electoral Committee and the state FA Board members. The action which contravenes its statute which is clearly in Article 18 Sub 2 of the NFF which clearly stated that “All affiliates are Independent to take any decision on any matter regarding their membership independently of any external body.”

After the 3 hours meeting, the minister of sports has chosen to give his verdict on the matter on Tuesday, 12th October 2020. The decision Nigerian is eagerly waiting for.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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