Sports

NFF President, Gusau Dedicates Falcons’ CAF Award To Oluremi Tinubu

Published

2 years ago

December 17, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Expectedly, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman scooped the Africa Player of the Year award at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, less than 33 months after winning his first cap for Nigeria at international level.

The 27-year-old won the FIFA U17 World Cup with England before committing his future to Nigeria, and helped steer the Super Eagles to the runner-up position at the 34^th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year. Also, he was key to Italian side Atalanta FC winning the UEFA Europa Cup last season, and this year, has scored 11 goals and notched five assists for the same club in 18 games across all competitions.

Lookman’s triumph was the big cake for Nigeria following goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s retention of the Goalkeeper of the Year award, and the Super Falcons again winning the Women’s National Team of the Year award as they did last year.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON and Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, OFR were among the distinguished guests at the Palais des Congrés, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe handed the glittering marble to effervescent forward Lookman.

Pinnick was particularly joyous. As President of NFF, he made several attempts to get the player to commit to fatherland before the forward capitulated, and eventually won his first cap in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final round, first leg clash with Ghana’s Black Stars in Kumasi on 25^th March 2022, which ended scoreless.

Gusau, who collected the Women’s National Team of the Year award on behalf of the Falcons, dedicated the prize to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and pledged that his administration will continue to support women’s football in all its ramifications.

Nigeria’s five-time Olympian and Olympic bronze-medallist Mary Onyali, former Nigeria international striker Obafemi Martins and 1996 Olympic women’s long jump gold winner Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah were among the stars of the night as they presented awards.

Four Super Falcons, namely Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala made the CAF Best 11 Women for 2024, while last year’s Player of the Year winner Victor Osimhen and new King Lookman made the Best 11 Men roster.

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Sports

Vipers VC celebrate captain Esther Mbah on birthday

Published

6 hours ago

November 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Vipers Volleyball Club have felicitated with their captain, Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.

In a statement signed by the Vipers VC Team Manager, Suraj Abiodun Jabar; the club described Mbah as a leader who has consistently demonstrated excellence both on and off the court.

The statement also praised the Nigerian international for her valuable contributions to the club.

The statement mentioned her role in guiding Vipers to a second-place finish at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Club Championship in Ghana.

It read: “The management of Vipers Volleyball Club wants to celebrate Esther Mbah on the occasion of her birthday.

“She has been an asset to Vipers since joining the club, demonstrating outstanding commitment, dedication and leadership.

“Her contributions to the growth and success of the team have been invaluable.

“We appreciate her efforts, professionalism and the positive influence she continues to have on her teammates. We wish her more successful years ahead, good health and greater achievements.”

The club concluded its birthday message by wishing the experienced player continued success as she leads the team towards achieving more honours.

Beyond her achievements at club level, Mbah won a bronze medal for Nigeria at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, further establishing herself as one of the country’s accomplished volleyball players.

She has also secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding another milestone to her growing career.

In their separate messages, board members of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, James Datuhun and Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) as well as Coordinator of Vipers VC, Samuel Onikeku wished the Nigeria international a glamorous birthday.

They hailed Esther Mbah for exhibiting a high level of leadership trait since joining the team.

The stakeholders prayed for good health and ultimately success as she prepares for the Beach Volleyball event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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