Sports

Uncovers Plot To Blackmail Sports Minister Over NPFL Reforms

Published

4 years ago

January 20, 2023

The Interim Management Committee of the Nigerian Premier Football league has uncovered plans to use some sections of the media to blackmail the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, over the ongoing domestic league reforms.

BSNSports.com.ng gathered that after two failed attempts to label him as a hater of the Fulanis and later as the Minister in 2015 and 2017 who blocked a foreign investor from taking over the league and all the stadia in the country (recall Dare was not the Minister of sports in 2015 and 2017) failed, people connected to the former LMC and who have benefited over the years have hired some media to write fallacious stories that the GTI, the new company partnering with IMC and NFF gave the Minister 10% of the One Billion Naira promised the league.

The story planned to be published soon is being delayed because there is no shred of evidence attached to it. The plan is simply to drag the name of the Minister in the mud.

Investigations revealed that a top football official based in Nasarawa is one of the people behind the blackmail plot.

The IMC has, however, warned the blackmailers of the consequences of defamation and character assassination.

At an IMC briefing on Thursday where a journalist raised a question about the insinuations about the N1billion and the 10 percent to the Minister, Dr Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of IMC, described such insinuations as wicked and from blackmailers.

Reacting to some baseless allegations of misappropriation, Elegbeleye said; “Such insinuation can only come from a sick mind, a jaundiced mind or a paid blackmailer because there is no N1billion naira anywhere. GTI is to raise the money.

“GTI didn’t give us a dime. They only gave 200 Million Naira to 20 clubs, at 10 Million per club, and this money was not given to IMC.

“GTI is economists, they’re bankers, they promised to help us raise funds, using their image.

“As a very credible organization, we believe in them, but we said before we go ahead, how can you help our 20 clubs for a start because they need support. We agreed that Ten Million Naira is given to each club, and this money was not given to IMC, it was credited directly to the account of the clubs, so we didn’t have access to the money.

“Secondly, on the issue of the referee, we said to pay the referee directly from your account.

“So for anyone to say GTI gave us 1 Billion Naira, 100 million Naira for Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, that shows they are part of the failed system.”

“If Sunday Dare is a real man, why did he fight the old system he had a lot of money to throw around to continue staying in office.

“Such insinuation can only come from a jaundiced mind or a blackmailer. GTI Group didn’t give us a dime. The only money given to us by GTI Group was N200 million for the 20 clubs at Ten Million Naira per club.

“These monies were not given to IMC. GTI is not a title sponsor but a special vehicle to drive the league to where it ought to be, they’re bankers and promised to help us raise funds using their credible organisation and we believe in them. So, we pleaded with them to help the 20 clubs with Ten Million Naira each to kickstart the league. The money was not given to IMC but was credited to the club’s account.

“So, for anyone to insinuate that GTI Group gave IMC One Billion Naira and 10% of the money goes to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, this statement can only come from the beneficiary of past failed system.”

Share on Facebook

Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

18 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

Share on Facebook