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Chelle’s Appointment: Integrity Group Calls For Calm

Published

9 months ago

January 9, 2025

With the recent appointment of 47-year-old UEFA Pro Licenced Franco-Malian, Èric Seykou Chelle, as the coach of Nigeria’s senior male national team, Super Eagles, and the observed public opinion it is generating, Sport Integrity Foundation a.k.a Integrity Group wishes to call for calm and focus by all Nigerians.

Our investigation revealed that due process was followed in the conduct leading to the announcement of Chelle as the national team coach. Expertise and recommendation of the Technical Department was followed by inputs of the technical sub-committee and ratification by the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“We discovered that Tactical Sagacity and Economic Viability was prioritised by the NFF before deciding on the choice of the coach. Considering the early yearnings of the public that the NFF appoint a substantive coach before returning for the World Cup qualifiers in March, the decision to hire Èric Chelle was done in the best interest of Nigerian football.

“We hereby urge Nigerians not to be discriminative of the Franco-Malian as this will be against the ethos of sporting integrity and global practicability of sports.

“We also noticed that Chelle belongs to the Golden Age of African football, where former African internationals between age 40 and 48 are dominating football on the continent, winning AFCON titles and qualifying African national teams for the World Cup. Ex-internationals such as Aliou Cisse, Emerse Fae, Otto Ado, Walid Regragui, Rigobert Song all are within this age bracket. We can recollect the way the late Stephen Keshi was given the opportunity to lead Hawks of Togo on three different stints as coach, and Eagles of Mali between 2008-2010. Also, Emmanuel Amuneke was given the chance in Tanzania.

“We therefore call on every football-loving Nigerians to get behind Eric Chelle and give him all the support and cooperation to navigate the World Cup qualifiers and come out with constructive criticisms to make him succeed and qualify for the Mundial next year to be jointly co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. If Chelle succeeds, we all succeed. “

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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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