Sports
BSFA Chairman Rewards Victorious Lobi U-19 Team with ₦700,000 Cash Gift
The Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Chief Dr. Paul Edeh Esq, has rewarded Lobi Stars U-19 team who finished tops at the just concluded U19 tournament in Abia State.
The Lobi Stars young team who represented Benue State leapfrogged their counterparts from Abia, Enugu, Rivers States to place best in their group.
Thereafter, they qualified for the Super 6 expected to be staged in Benue State in days ahead.
Announcing the cash rewards, Chief Edeh immediately gave the players N500, 000, while their coaches got N200, 000.
While eulogisiing the team, the Benue FA Chairman who is known for his philanthropic gestures and football administrator par excellence said, “Moving forward, the efforts that the board of the Benue Football Association has made is to ensure that we pay particular attention to the coaches especially, those that serve within the academy level.
“Having said that, let me acknowledge that it’s the efforts of these academies and coaches that gave Lobi Stars these set of young lads that went to Abia and topped their group and qualified for the Super 6 .
“Every boy who is here was discovered from an academy, either in Markurdi or Oturkpo or across the state.”
Chief Edeh urged the academies to always make their players available to Lobi Stars even at the senior team level, just as he charged the club’s management to reciprocate with necessary payments to the players and academies.
On his part, the Chairman of Lobi Stars FC, Dr. Philip Nongu, who doubles as the Acting Commissioner, Benue State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, assured of willingness to keep their own side of the bargain while appealing for cooperation by the academies.
Recalling how the U-19 team was formed, Dr. Nongu said, “When we got request for that championship, it was four days to the commencement and I told the coaches, can they please release their players so that they will represent the state at Umuahia and they said yes.
“And they went and made us proud, because of their determination and discipline, we’re proud of them.”
He appealed for all in Benue State and beyond to rally round Lobi Stars as they rebuild to relaunch at the zenith level, adding, “Lobi Stars belongs to the whole State. It doesn’t belong to Philip Nongu. The team belongs to the whole state so, please let us join hands, now that we’re starting afresh and the sky is not the limit for Lobi Stars football club by the grace of God.”
Sports
Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Congratulates Oguntimehin On Election As Fct Swan Chairman
The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Association (NVRA) has congratulated Tolu Oguntimehin on his election as Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter.
NVRA described his emergence as an opportunity to strengthen sports journalism and advance the welfare of members.
Oguntimehin emerged victorious at the FCT SWAN elective congress held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, defeating his challenger, Raphael Ekpang, by 88 votes to four.
In a congratulatory message, the Chairman of Nigeria Volleyball Reporters, Alhaji Ganiyu Oloyede described the election outcome as a testament to the confidence reposed in Oguntimehin by members of the association.
Oloyede expressed optimism that the new chairman would bring purposeful leadership, inclusiveness and renewed commitment to the development of sports journalism in the FCT.
He stressed that the responsibility of leading the association goes beyond occupying an office.
Oloyede noted that the new administration must prioritise members’ welfare, professional development, unity and the protection of their collective interests.
The NVR chairman also challenged the incoming leadership to create an enabling environment where sports journalists can thrive professionally, gain greater access to sporting events and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigerian sports.
He particularly welcomed Oguntimehin’s commitment to establishing a ₦200 million financial base for the association, describing the proposed initiative as an ambitious step towards building a financially stronger and more sustainable SWAN FCT.
Oloyede further emphasised the importance of collaboration among sports journalists, sports federations, government institutions and other stakeholders, maintaining that stronger partnerships would create more opportunities for members and improve the quality of sports reporting.
He urged the new executive to embrace transparency, accountability and open communication while ensuring that every member feels represented in the administration.
The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters reaffirmed its readiness to work with the new SWAN FCT leadership in promoting sports journalism, strengthening professional relationships and projecting Nigerian sports positively.
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