Sports
NPFL in Grief over Rufai’s Death
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has expressed grief at the death of former Stationery Stores and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, describing his death as another huge loss to the nation’s football ecosystem.
Rufai was reported to have died on Thursday from a yet to be disclosed ailment.
Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye, the NPFL Chairman, while describing Rufai’s demise as saddening, said that he was a good Ambassador of the league and an inspiration to the younger players.
“Rufai was a gentleman who was always willing to support the league whenever he was invited to grace our events such as workshop and fixture draws.
“To the younger players, he was the big brother they all looked up to because like them, he played in the domestic league before seeking greener pastures in Europe.
“He returned home after retirement and has been helping our young ones learn the art of goalkeeping through his annual booth camps”, Elegbeleye recalled.
The League chairman offered commiserations to the immediate family and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) adding that, “the family and Nigeria has lost a legend”.
Rufai first kept for the national team in a friendly match in December 1981, and would latern be part of the squad that won Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept clinched its second continental glory in Tunisia in 1994. He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.
Ever colourful, charismatic and disciplined player, the late Rufai in his lifetime, also kept goal for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. His post-retirement years have been spent discovering and mentoring young players.
Sports
Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Congratulates Oguntimehin On Election As Fct Swan Chairman
The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters Association (NVRA) has congratulated Tolu Oguntimehin on his election as Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter.
NVRA described his emergence as an opportunity to strengthen sports journalism and advance the welfare of members.
Oguntimehin emerged victorious at the FCT SWAN elective congress held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, defeating his challenger, Raphael Ekpang, by 88 votes to four.
In a congratulatory message, the Chairman of Nigeria Volleyball Reporters, Alhaji Ganiyu Oloyede described the election outcome as a testament to the confidence reposed in Oguntimehin by members of the association.
Oloyede expressed optimism that the new chairman would bring purposeful leadership, inclusiveness and renewed commitment to the development of sports journalism in the FCT.
He stressed that the responsibility of leading the association goes beyond occupying an office.
Oloyede noted that the new administration must prioritise members’ welfare, professional development, unity and the protection of their collective interests.
The NVR chairman also challenged the incoming leadership to create an enabling environment where sports journalists can thrive professionally, gain greater access to sporting events and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigerian sports.
He particularly welcomed Oguntimehin’s commitment to establishing a ₦200 million financial base for the association, describing the proposed initiative as an ambitious step towards building a financially stronger and more sustainable SWAN FCT.
Oloyede further emphasised the importance of collaboration among sports journalists, sports federations, government institutions and other stakeholders, maintaining that stronger partnerships would create more opportunities for members and improve the quality of sports reporting.
He urged the new executive to embrace transparency, accountability and open communication while ensuring that every member feels represented in the administration.
The Nigeria Volleyball Reporters reaffirmed its readiness to work with the new SWAN FCT leadership in promoting sports journalism, strengthening professional relationships and projecting Nigerian sports positively.
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