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CAF confirms Ahmed Yusuf’s reappointment for the sixth term as standing Committee Member

Published

6 years ago

January 16, 2020

….. My place is Celestial – Fresh

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), has confirmed the reappointment of Comrade Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ as the member of its Technical and Development Committee.

This reappointment has elongated Fresh’s tenure, as CAF standing Committee member for the record(s) of the sixth term.

Prior to Fresh’s reappointment as a Committee Member, major shake-ups have been going on in CAF, in virtually all aspects of its structures.

The sixth term as CAF’s Technical and Development Committee appointee, Ahmed Fresh was ecstatic when he got the correspondence which effected his tenure, yet again as a Committee Member.

“I just finished answering call of nature, when I received Caf’s document confirming my reappointment, not just as Technical and Development Committee member, but also one of the Nigerian returnees into the African football system.

“The feeling was exhilarating because it’s always been a thing of joy to serve my country in that capacity at CAF. I give God the Glory, despite the turbulence of life, I made it back to one of the most respected and important committees in Caf. This is not my success alone but for all football administrators and stakeholders in Nigeria” he chuckles in explanation.

Ahmed Fresh, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation Technical and Development Committee, implicitly hints on this new development in CAF.

“We are all aware of the reforms going on CAF, in the last few months. Some Committees will be merged together, as the leadership of African football resolved to be frugal, which to me is a welcome development.

“There’s a new Sheriff amongst leaders of African football, so it’s a new dawn in CAF and its components; and we at the Technical and Development Committee have been tasked with different responsibilities, part of which is to make meaningful impacts in our constituencies. Our last gathering in CAF (December 15th, 2019) was a joint meeting alongside CAF Technical Study Group;our resolutions inter alia- were to rehash and tweak the templates that will bring proper developmental football programs- as these would proliferates Africa.

“Of course, we were all convinced it would go a long way, such that new the systematic approach, will help discover more talented players in nooks and crannies of Africa region; as we know know football development in Africa needs quick surgical operations, so our aim is to ameliorates football system(s) across this continent,” he disclosed.

Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ who began his journey to serve as Nigerian in CAF in 2010.

Fresh, who’s among the 3-Star Generals, on the Board of Nigeria Football Federation since 2010, has been getting nomination by the NFF to represent Nigeria in CAF, since 2010 when President Aminu Maigari came to power; and ever since president Amaju Pinnick took over the mantle of Nigeria’s football federation leadership in 2014, the latter continued to nominate Fresh till date. However, with this announcement by CAF, Fresh is starting his sixth term journey as the Member of Technical & Development Committee and chronologically, he’s the only Nigerian representative that has served for a complete Decade as a Member of CAF’s Technical and Development Committee.

Historically, Ahmed Fresh is the second long-serving Nigerian as Member of CAF Standing Committee and not committee of ad-hocism, after chief Adegboye Onigbinde who reigned as CAF Technical and Development Committee Member for the sixth term during his active days in football systems.

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

Published

1 week 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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