Sports

The Gusau Administration’s Impact on Rewarding Retiree Staff of NFF

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2024

By Okwundu Sochukwuma

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has undergone significant transformations under the leadership of Ibrahim Gusau, its current president. One of the notable areas of focus for the Gusau administration has been the welfare of retiree staff, who have dedicated their lives to serving the federation.

Only recently, In what was a first-ever in the history of Nigeria Football Federation, the leadership of the Federation organized a befitting send-off ceremony for Management and Staff of the organization who retired between the year 2019 and the present.

Among those hosted are former Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode; one-time Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National League, Mr. Lawrence Katken; former Director of Finance & Admin, Mr. Babatunde Akinsanya; former Deputy Directors in the Technical Department, Dr. Robinson Okosun, Mr. Siji Lagunju and Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf and; former Deputy Directors (Accounts), Mr. John Adelowo and Mr. Karim Bako, as well as Mr. Sunday Okayi, Mr. Emmanuel Adesanya and Mrs Edith Uzoechi.

In that occasion, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said that the essence of the event was to honour those who had served the Federation meritoriously and as well send a message to those still serving that they will be appreciated for good work when they eventually have to leave service.

He said that the Gusau administration will always be intentional about rewarding hard work, diligence, productivity, creativity and enterprise. He advised the Management and Staff to always have it in mind that the interest of the Federation and Nigeria Football in their minds.

“I congratulate those who have retired that we are celebrating today, and I pray that they continue to thrive in good health and sound mind in their different endeavours.

The retirees who spoke through Babatunde Akinsanya, was full of praises for doing something that is unprecedented in the Federation.

This article explores the impact of the Gusau administration’s policies and initiatives on rewarding retiree staff of the NFF, highlighting the positive changes and benefits these would bring about in the administration of football in country.

Prior to the Gusau administration, retiree staff of the NFF faced numerous challenges, including delayed or non-payment of retirement benefits, inadequate pension plans, and lack of recognition for their contributions. These issues led to dissatisfaction and demotivation among retirees, who felt undervalued and unappreciated for their years of service.

Upon assuming office, President Ibrahim Gusau identified the need to address the welfare of retiree staff as a top priority. His administration introduced several initiatives aimed at rewarding and recognizing the contributions of retirees, including:

Prompt Payment of Retirement Benefits: The Gusau administration ensured that retirement benefits were paid promptly, eliminating delays and uncertainties faced by retirees.
Enhanced Pension Plans: The federation introduced improved pension plans, providing retirees with a more sustainable and secure financial future.
Recognition and Awards: The NFF began to recognize and honor retirees for their contributions, through awards and ceremonies, boosting their morale and sense of appreciation.
Medical Support: The federation established a medical support system, providing retirees with access to quality healthcare services.
Engagement and Inclusion: Retirees were encouraged to participate in NFF activities and events, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

The Gusau administration’s initiatives have had a profound impact on retiree staff, leading to:

Improved Financial Security: Prompt payment of retirement benefits and enhanced pension plans have provided retirees with financial stability and peace of mind.
Enhanced Morale: Recognition, awards, and inclusion have boosted retirees’ morale, making them feel valued and appreciated.
Better Healthcare: Access to quality medical support has improved retirees’ health and well-being.
Increased Engagement: Retirees’ participation in NFF activities has fostered a sense of community and connection.

The Gusau administration’s focus on rewarding retiree staff has brought about significant positive changes, revolutionizing the way the NFF treats its retired employees. By prioritizing their welfare, the federation has demonstrated its commitment to recognizing and valuing the contributions of those who have dedicated their lives to Nigerian football. As the NFF continues to evolve, it is essential to build on these initiatives, ensuring that retiree staff remain a vital part of the federation’s community.

(Okwundu Sochukwuma Is An Abuja Based Journalist)

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Sports

Plateau Vipers, Benue Queens Crowned Champions at HFN North Central Division One Tourney

Published

21 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Jibril Seidu, has said the federation will continue to intensify its grassroots talent development drive through zonal competitions across the country.

Seidu stated this on Saturday in Abuja at the finals of the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship, where Plateau Vipers defeated Suleja Shooters 29-24 to emerge champions in the men’s category.

In the women’s final, Benue Queens of Makurdi defeated City Queens of Suleja to claim the title.

The eight-day tournament featured teams from across the North Central Zone, with Plateau Vipers of Jos, Confluence Stars of Lokoja, Unity Boys of Abuja, Suleja Shooters and Nasarawa Ambassadors of Lafia competing in the men’s category.

In the women’s category, Nuela Handball Academy of Ilorin, Inikpi Babes of Idah, Benue Queens of Makurdi and City Queens of Suleja competed for honours.

At the end of the competition, four teams — two male and two female — emerged as the North Central Zone’s representatives for the national Division One league.

According to Seidu, the tournament was organised as part of the federation’s deliberate strategy to take handball development back to the regions and discover talents that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

He said the HFN board, inaugurated on October 25, 2025, resolved that grassroots development was essential to creating a sustainable pipeline of players for national and international competitions.

“All the teams you have seen here are from the North Central Zone of the country, and every state is represented with an academy or state team,” he said.

Seidu explained that the new approach marked a departure from the previous system, where talent identification was largely centred on the federation’s major league competitions.

He said taking competitions to the regions would provide young players with greater opportunities to showcase their abilities while strengthening the foundation of handball across the country.

The HFN president also linked the grassroots initiative to Nigeria’s recent achievements in international handball, stressing the need to develop younger players who can eventually replace members of the current national teams.

He noted that Nigeria had qualified for the 2027 Men’s Junior Handball World Championship in North Macedonia, describing the achievement as evidence of the potential within the country’s handball system.

“How do we replace these players with upcoming players? This is the avenue for us to get players,” he said.

Seidu added that the federation was determined to make handball more visible and accessible, describing it as one of Nigeria’s major sporting disciplines with significant potential for growth.

The North Central tournament is part of a wider zonal programme designed to decentralise handball development across Nigeria.

According to the federation, similar competitions are being organised across other zones, including the South East, North East, North West and South South, with qualifiers from each zone expected to converge at a designated venue for the next stage of the competition.

The federation also appealed for greater support from sponsors, stakeholders and state associations to sustain its grassroots development programme.

It expressed appreciation to the participating states, academies, team sponsors and other stakeholders for their support and commitment to the growth of handball in Nigeria.

The federation said the initiative would provide a platform for discovering the next generation of Nigerian handball stars while expanding the sport’s reach beyond its traditional centres.
While Speaking the elated coach of Benue Queen Godwin Tondo has promised a stronger and more tactical performance after guiding the team to victory at the 2026 North Central Division One Handball Championship in Abuja.
He attributed the success to the team’s long-term youth development programme, noting that the squad was built through a deliberate process of identifying and nurturing young talents.
According to him, the programme began with the selection of 92 girls from secondary schools, who were subsequently trained and developed over a four-year period.

He said the team’s success was a product of sustained hard work and commitment despite the challenges encountered during preparations for the tournament.

“I feel very pleased being a champion today. The road to this stage was very, very hard, but I am very happy that we have got the result from all the toughness of the game,” he said.

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