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NPFL Match Day One Wrap: Kwara United Records win, Kano Pillars Struggles As Four Others Pick Up Maximum Points

Published

5 years ago

December 28, 2020

The Gleamer

Adamawa Utd Kano Pillars

14′ Rabiu Ali (KAN)

76’ Isa Garba (Adamawa)

Isa Garba of Adamawa United in the 76th cancelled the Rabiu Ali opener to share the spoils with the visitors.

Kano Pillars will be playing host to Katsina United in their next league game while Adamawa United will travel to Akure to face Sunshine Stars.

Nasarawa Utd Wikki Tourist

5’ Promise Damala (WIK)

7’ Reuben Nicodemus (NAS)

52’ Reuben Nicodemus (NAS)

Coach Bala Nkiyu led side came from behind to lord the game with Reuben Nicodemus grabbing a brace in the 7th and 52nd minutes to cancel the visitor’s earlier secured lead from Promise Damala in the 5th minutes of the game.

The Lafia fans were treated to a gratifying start into the season even as the game was played behind the doors.

Plateau Utd Kwara Utd

62’ Jide Fatokun
69’ Michael Ohanu

Kwara United were the biggest winner of the day as they defeated Plateau United away from home 2 goals to nothing.

Jide Fatokun and Micheal Ohanu recorded their goals in 62nd and 69th minutes of the game to secure an impressive start for the Harmony boys while compounding the woes of the home team who had recently lost out in CAF Champions league.

The Coach Abdullahi Biffo led side will be involving in another cracker with Enyimba FC in their second game of the season as they currently lead the log.

Jigawa GS Sunshine Stars

76’ Onukwube S. Stone

One could assumed that Sunshine Stars FC of Akure with the defeat to Jigawa Golden Stars paid the price of their haphazard preparation.

Reports has it that Coach Ogunbote side had faced a lot of challenges into the season with issues ranging from players allowances and officials. The situation has beclouded their readiness for the new season and perhaps their host had seen the handwriting on the wall.

FC IfeanyiUbah 1️0 Lobi Stars

48’ Nnoso Nzediegwu

Lobi Stars FC fell in Nnewi as they couldn’t muster a response to Nnoso Nnzediegwu strike in the 48th.

Lobi Stars will host MFM FC in the next game at Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

MGM Wolves

7’ Ebenezer Odeyemi (MFM)

23’ Muyiwa Balogun (MFM)

27’ John paul Chinedu (WAR)

Ebenezer Odeyemi opened the scoreline for MFM FC with his strike in the 7th minutes of the game. He would later inspire the team to their first win of the season at home as they defeated their visitors, Warri Wolves 2 goals to 1.

Other matches that couldn’t held due to logistics issues have now been billed to hold during the week.

While Katsina United will be slugging it out with Heartland FC tomorrow, Monday 28th of December, a local derby will also be taking centre stage between Akwa United and Dakkada FC in Uyo with game.

And as Enyimba and Abia Warriors match now fixed for Tuesday 29th, Rivers United and Rangers International will end the match day 1 of the new NPFL season with their encounter billed for Wednesday, 30th of December.

Now that the Covid-19 pandemic has occassioned a closed door encounter across all match venues, NPFL enthusiasts will have the opportunity to savour the new season as matches involving Akwa United vs Dakkada FC and Enyimba vs Abia Warriors will be enjoying a live coverage from Nigeria Televison Authority (NTA) and NPFLTv.

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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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