Sports

Lobi Stars in capable hands under the watchful eyes of Dr. Phillip Nongu

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

By Pius Idoko

It is the dawn of a new era, and a new lease of life has come for all lovers and supporters of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, as the newly appointed chairman of the club, Comrade Dr. Phillip Nongu has expressed his deepest desire and the willingness to turn around the fortunes of the club from being an average sailing, or a mid table team to becoming a more competitive club in the country.

Dr. Phillip said this while speaking with sports journalists, at the FIFA goal project on Saturday afternoon in Abuja.

In spite of the fact that there were challenges on ground when he was assigned to take over the role as the new chairman of the club, Dr. Phillip believes his 15 years wealth of experience serving as the secretary of football in Benue state will be key in charting a new course for Lobi Stars.

On assumption, his first bold step following his prompt enthronement was to clear the backlog of some unpaid salaries of players and other staff which was taking it’s toll on the general performance of the club.

That being said, it is believed that the players are now in good spirit, and will shore up their ante with an improved performance in churning out good results in the league, while the board will also work together and get all stakeholders involved in their bid to drive the club in attaining new heights in Nigerian football.

“Our boys are in good spirit, when I took over, they had challenges of three months backlog of salaries, so their morale was down, but now that we have started paying, I think they’ll up their game”

“For the club itself, gone are the days when we struggle around relegation zone at times, although I can’t do it alone, we have to carry all the stakeholders along, since I took over, we are planning to meet with SWAN, the Referees, the fans and our supporters and the rest of them”

“Yes the appointment is a challenge but am not a new person in the football cycle, and am not new to the terrain, am coming in with some challenges we have at hand, but with time, we will be able to excel”

Comrade Dr. Phillip Nongu, is the Director of sports, Benue state, who also served as the secretary of football in Benue state for 15 years, and a premier league match commissioner at present.

He was appointment to take over the reigns from the former club chairman, Dominic Iorfa, two days before the commencement of the new NPFL season, and all lovers of football in the state have heave a sigh of relief, and are wishing and rooting for him to succeed being at the helm of affairs.

Share on Facebook

Sports

“Aderonke Atoyebi Wins Big in Denmark, Inspires Global Recognition for Nigerian Women in Sports

Published

6 hours ago

November 3, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s own Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi has brought immense pride to the nation after being named the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Role Model of the Year at a ceremony held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The biennial ISCA Awards honour individuals and organizations that use sports and physical activity as tools for social change, inclusion, and empowerment across the globe. This year’s edition drew nominations from several countries, spotlighting outstanding figures who have transformed their communities through the power of sports.
Atoyebi’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment has made her a prominent voice in the sports-for-development space. Through her advocacy and leadership, she continues to demonstrate how sports can serve as a bridge for education, unity, and hope—especially among young women in Nigeria and beyond.
As part of the recognition, Atoyebi received a €3,000 cash prize along with the global visibility that accompanies the prestigious ISCA honour.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, she expressed deep gratitude and excitement, dedicating the recognition to her team and everyone who has supported her journey.
> “This award means a lot to me. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have put in over the years,” Atoyebi said. “Being recognised on such an international stage proves that no effort toward positive change ever goes unnoticed. It motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and reaching more girls who need hope and opportunity.”

Atoyebi’s global recognition further strengthens Nigeria’s growing influence in the global dialogue around sports, development, and women’s empowerment. Her story continues to inspire a new generation of African women to believe that with passion, dedication, and purpose, they too can create lasting change.

Share on Facebook