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Pinnick’s AFCON Ouster: NFF Summoned Emergency Congress

Published

6 years ago

July 22, 2019

In a move to save face and possibly their jobs, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has called an emergency congress on the sidelines of the Aiteo Cup Final in Kaduna to pass a vote of confidence on president Amaju Pinnick and the other top officials accused of corruption.

The 2019 Aiteo Cup Final will be played on Sunday between Kano Pillars and Niger Tornadoes

According to one of the top NFF officials who doesn’t want his name to be mentioned said: “The NFF emergency congress will be staged to pass a vote of confidence on the Pinnick-led NFF board.”

“Passing a vote of confidence on Pinnick and his executives have been a routine, but this latest gimmick is for embattled Pinnick to consolidate from home after the recent events at CAF.

“He wants to immediately show CAF and the rest of the world that he has support from his home.”

Last week, Pinnick was disgraced at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) when he was booted out as 1^st Vice President and also sacked from all the standing committees of the continental body including the all-powerful AFCON Organising Committee, which he headed.

Observers said that his vaulting personal ambition to unseat CAF President Ahmad Ahmad meant he only spent 11 months as CAF No 2 man.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has also granted an order of arrest for Pinnick and four other top-ranking officials – Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and Mohammed Sanusi – after they failed to appear before it last month to face 17-count charge brought against them for corruption by the Federal Government.

The officials are now believed to have gone into hiding for fear of being arrested following their arrival in the country this past week after the AFCON in Egypt.

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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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