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Unity Preseason: Nasarawa Utd, Niger Tornadoes, EFCC Confirms Participation

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…Isaac Danladi Becomes Patron Of Tournament

Nasarawa United, Niger Tornadoes And defending Champions of Unity Preseason Tournament, have confirmed their participation in the 2024 Unity Preseason Tournament holding in Abuja, 11-18 July 2024.

Confirming this on Tuesday, the General Coordinator of the Tournament Patrick Ngwaogu (Odogwu) said the three teams have completed all the modalities for participation and are ready to go. He said the teams are poised to use the tournament to assess their new acquisitions in preparation for the new season. Ngwaogu said other clubs are expected to complete their participation formalities before the commencement of the tournament.

“it is going to be a full house, and very rewarding one for the teams. As usual, we have our team of technical analysts on ground to compile the technical reports of all the matches, and hand over such to the teams to enable them know their strength and weaknesses, so that they can work on them before the commencement of the league”

Odogwu who was the former Sporting Director of Abia Warriors FC said the highlight of the 2024 edition of the tournament is the investiture of the former Chairman of Nasarawa United and the Present Permanent Secretary of Nasarawa State Sports Ministry, Barrister Danladi Isaac as a PATRON of the tournament.

According to the letter to Barrister Danladi, the tournament organizers said his contribution to the development of the tournament right from inception has been tremendous. The investiture will hold on final day of the tournament, which is 18 August, 2024.

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Shehu Dikko: The Rejected Stone that Became a Cornerstone

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By Joel Ajayi

The remarkable turnaround for Mallam Shehu Dikko serves as a powerful reminder that “one with God is more than the majority.”

The turbulent waters of sports politics almost swept him away. Bruised and battered by the machinations of his rivals, Dikko’s good name faced intense scrutiny. In 2016, on his way to Warri, Delta State, to contest for the position of President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), he was reportedly detained in Lokoja over an issue unrelated to sports. This attempt to block his ambitions was a testament to the lengths some would go to halt the Kaduna-born administrator.

In 2019, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) implicated Dikko in allegations of mismanaging $2.7 million from FIFA’s Financial Assistance Programme during his tenure at the NFF. The ICPC subsequently seized several of his properties. However, the Federal High Court dismissed the case after an order from the then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, instructed a withdrawal of the charges. Through it all, Dikko remained focused on his mission to develop Nigerian football, contributing significantly to the league’s growth.

Though he contested the NFF presidency again in the 2023 Edo election, he lost due to unexpected opposition. Many assumed this would mark the end of Dikko’s influence in Nigerian sports. However, fate had different plans. Like Mordecai in the Bible, Dikko’s dedication and contributions were finally acknowledged, and he was appointed Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) by President Bola Tinubu. His new role marks a pivotal restructuring within Nigeria’s sports sector.

Dikko’s appointment signifies not only a redemption but a multiplication of honor. Initially aspiring to lead a single sports federation, he now oversees over 40 as head of the NSC. This unprecedented responsibility demonstrates the level of trust vested in him. Previously serving as Vice President of the NFF and Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Dikko brought strategic insight and growth to Nigerian football.

His track record as CEO of the LMC, where he notably enhanced the financial value of Nigeria’s football league, attests to his vision and commitment to both performance and commercial success. As a top sports administrator, Dikko’s expertise is expected to bring impactful changes to Nigeria’s sports landscape. However, the task ahead remains daunting. Revitalizing the nation’s sports sector will require collaboration across a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including sports federations, athletes, corporate bodies, and government agencies.

Dikko has set out ambitious goals, emphasizing that his role extends beyond sports competitions. He envisions the NSC as an institution that shapes lives, fosters economic growth, and builds community. “My aim is to see sports as an integral part of Nigeria’s development agenda, not as an afterthought,” he said recently.

Though challenges persist—such as funding constraints, inadequate facilities, and limited athlete support—many believe that Dikko’s leadership could usher in a transformation. His ambitious plans for the NSC have sparked cautious optimism that Nigeria’s sports sector can become a model for development across Africa.

As Dikko embarks on this new journey, Nigerians remain hopeful that under his leadership, sports can become a unifying force, a robust economic driver, and a source of national pride.

Joel Ajayi is a sports writer and analyst based in Abuja.

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