Sports

Nigeria Women Football League Sets For Annual General Assembly In Abuja

Published

6 months ago

December 13, 2024

Joel Ajayi

Federal Capital Territory is set to host the 2024 Annual General Assembly ,AGA, of the Nigeria Women Football League ,NWFL, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

In a statement released on Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalized for the AGA, which will take place at Fabino by Toprank Hotels, Abuja.

The AGA meeting promises to be a significant gathering in charting a way forward for the women’s football rising agenda and the women’s football leagues in Nigeria.

Key stakeholders, including board members and representatives of Premiership and Championship clubs, will review the successes and challenges of the outgone 2023/2024 season.

Notably, Edo Queens emerged champions of the NWFL Premiership for the first time, while Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels secured promotion to the Premiership from the NWFL Championship.

The AGM will also focus on sustaining the league’s growing credibility and improving operations while setting the calendar and start date for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership and Championship campaigns.

This pivotal meeting aims to further strengthen women’s football in Nigeria and lay the groundwork for the league’s continued growth.

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Sports

Leadership Boost: Dr. Nneka Anibeze Takes Helm as AFN COO

Published

6 hours ago

June 12, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

In a major boost for Nigerian athletics, Dr. Nneka Anibeze, a seasoned sports journalist and respected figure in the Nigerian sports community, has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

The appointment was officially announced on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after the conclusion of the AFN elections.

AFN President Chief Tonobok Okowa stated that the appointment aligns with the National Sports Commission’s broader objective to promote inclusivity and inject fresh, dynamic leadership into the federation’s administrative framework. Alongside Dr. Anibeze’s appointment, Kola Oredipe was named Auditor, with other professionals also appointed into key legal advisory roles.

Dr. Anibeze brings to the role a wealth of experience, leadership, and a proven track record of contributing to the growth of sports in Nigeria. Her appointment is widely seen as a strategic move to strengthen AFN’s operations, both domestically and on the international stage.

Stakeholders across the sports sector have hailed the appointment, expressing optimism that Dr. Anibeze’s knowledge, professionalism, and vision will help reposition Nigerian athletics for long-term success.

In her remarks following the announcement, Dr. Anibeze took a moment to appreciate the critical role of the Nigerian media in advancing sports development.

Speaking shortly after the election of the Nigeria Association for Women in Sports (NAWIS) representative into the AFN board, she described the media as “the most important stakeholder” in the sporting ecosystem.

> “The future of Nigerian sports is very bright,” she stated. “The media is the greatest stakeholder in sports. Without the media, it’s like blinking in the dark.”

Drawing from her extensive experience in sports journalism, Dr. Anibeze recalled covering iconic international competitions, including the 1995 World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, where she reported on Nigerian legends like Fatima Yusuf, Mary Onyali, and Innocent Egbunike.

“Back then, sports coverage was occasional. Today, sports is big business—and the media drives that business. Without television rights, sponsorship deals, and live coverage, sports would not attract the massive investments it does today,” she explained.“The media makes sports visible, marketable, and profitable.”

Dr. Anibeze urged journalists and media organizations to continue championing the growth of Nigerian sports, stressing their responsibility in shaping narratives and driving positive change.

“Despite the challenges, I believe in the future of sports in Nigeria. With people committed to doing the right thing—and with the media actively involved—we will get there,” she concluded.

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