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NWFL and La Liga Host High Profile Watch Party for 2023 Women’s World Cup Final

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2023

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Sunday 20th July 2023, hosted guests to a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Final Watch Party in conjunction with LaLiga to celebrate, raise awareness and solicit financial support for the women’s game in the country at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Members of the diplomatic community, representatives of potential partners, corporate organisations, and high net-worth personalities, were treated to a thrilling and fun-filled final between Spain and England, in addition to enjoying exclusive giveaways and VIP experiences.

During the exhilarating three-hour-long event, the Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League, Ms. Nkechi Obi, seized the occasion to unveil the league’s strategic plan, while also raising awareness, soliciting support, partnerships, and sponsorships that would enable the growth of the women’s league while also creating enduring pathways for the next generation of women football superstars.

“For us at the NWFL, this occasion is the chance to network with the people and the brands that believe in us,” Obi revealed. “We want to develop the women’s game overall and want women to excel and pursue their passion like those in England and Spain. We have a goal and have devised strategies to help us achieve this goal.”

“We are discussing with Corporate Nigeria, high net worth individuals, and stakeholders, including state associations as well as fans, coaches, and commercial partners, with the goal of establishing a strong, appealing, and well-governed women’s football league. We believe with the encouragement and right funding, we can be the next Spain who set an unprecedented record, becoming the first nation to win all three global women’s football competitions (U17, U20, and Senior level)”

On his part, LaLiga Nigeria’s Country Manager, Desmond Chiji, recounted the storied seven-year strategic plan which saw Spain become world champions for the first time in 2023 while appealing for the support of all and sundry to grow the NWFL.

“We want women to have a career in football where they don’t need to have football and another job. We want to promote the women’s league enough to create an economy of its own,” he disclosed.

“We are going to take it as far as it can go. We need the support of everyone and that’s why Spain is now world champions after seven years. We are optimistic that the same value and traditions and development we are bringing will come good in Nigeria, but we need to also be consistent with it.”

Former Internationals Gift Okunwa and current Super Falcons Assistant Coach Ann Agumanu-Chiejine, both members of Nigeria’s squad to the China 1991 Women’s World Cup took turns to appeal for support and investment in the women’s league.

Also joining in the appeal for corporate and public support for the NWFL were Barcelona superstar Asisat Oshoala and Racing Louisville striker Uchenna Kanu, who were both part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia & New Zealand.

“I want to urge everyone to support the Nigeria Women’s Football League. This is a league that has groomed a lot of players for our national team and allowed me to showcase my talent before taking my trade abroad,” Oshoala passionately appealed in a video message.

“Sixty percent of the Nigeria squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup were products of the Nigerian league. I am urging everyone from government to private bodies, to please support the NWFL. It is an investment that is worth it.”

On her part, US-based Kanu, who recently launched her foundation to cater for the needs of the girl-child, said: “I am calling on Nigerians – young and old, corporate bodies to get behind this league [NWFL] and help it grow and get to where it ought to be. Investing in the Nigerian women’s league will develop and expose young talents and help them become world-class players.”

Present at the Final Watch Party were Jose Maria Ferre Trad, Consul General of the Spanish Consulate and some members of the Consulate. Desmond Chiji, Country Manager, La Liga Global Network Nigeria & Ghana: Mr. Mutiu Adepoju, Ambassador, La Liga: Ayodeji Adegbenro, La Liga. NWFL Board Members in attendance were Alhaja Alaya, Ayodele Thomas and Danny Nazzal.

Other notable persons present included Chief Chijioke Okoli, SAN, Principal, Delphi Law Advisory; Mr. Yahaya Maikori, Vice Chair, Sport Nigeria LTD; Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, former First Vice President, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF); Dr. Henry Nzekwu, President, Nigeria Netball Federation; Mr. Obi Asika, Board Member, Sport Nigeria LTD; Prince Adeyinka Adeboye (Authority), SA to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Ikechi Ayo Iroche, formerly of the National Sports Commission, Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu of Grand Central Ms. Martina Ezeala, representative of Austrian Embassy; Miss Debbie Larry-Izamoje, Chief Operating Officer, Brila FM;

And Bashir Salami, Lotus Bank; Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Facilitator (THECS Policy Commission), NESG; Mr. James Torvaney, Managing Director, Pulse Miss Latasha Ngwube, Editor/Founder, The Will Downtown; Mr. Femi Abioye, DeKaizen Worldwide, Mr Enee Udo-Obong, Nigeria’s sprint gold medalist, Miss Wana Udobang; Paul Edeh, Esq., Chairman, Benue State Football Association; Funso Popoola, Boston Advisory Limited; Fouad Oki, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association; Gafar AlAmin, 36 Lions FC Nneka Itabor, First Bank; Mr. Emeka Duru, Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Paul Maduakor, Zenith Sports, among others.

—

Samuel Ahmadu
NWFL, Head of Media and Publicity

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RMRDC: Making Giant Strides Under Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso

Published

14 hours ago

September 19, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago. This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office, he said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, “In the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; and Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations.

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed further: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC), at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research (JORMAR) will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. “The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

“The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.”Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program. “Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance.

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

The DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

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