Sports

We will vacates court order preventing NFF’s Congress in one week-Stakeholders

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2022

…As FG Directs NFF To Amend Statutes

Joel Ajayi

Football stakeholders in the country have agreed to vacate the court order that prevents a meeting of the NFF Congress and for a General Assembly to be called next week.

It will be recalled that a board member of the Nembe City, Seigha Obiene WHO approached a Federal High Court, Bayelsa State Judicial Division with suit number; FHC/YNG/CS/133/2021 with the prayer that five members of the NFF Congress who were part of the Elective Congress in Katsina in 2018 participated illegally in the elections and asking the court to declare the elections null and void.

Concerned Congress Members of The Nigerian Football Federation and Professional Football Players Association of Nigeria PFAN /Project 2022 Task Force comprises of 18 FA chairmen includes player’s union representative after their joint meeting on Monday in Abuja after their revealed that, the concerned group have resolved to get matter out of court to enable commencement of electoral process.

While reading the communique, the River state FA Chairman Barr. Chris Green expressed that: “Resulting from the delay in convening the 2021 NFF Annual General Assembly, which the Executive Committee of the NFF attributed to the interim order of injunction given by the Federal High Court, Bayelsa State Judicial Division, in Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/133/2021.

“Concerned members of the NFF congress on the 20th day of June 2022 in Abuja met with the players union, whose member is the plaintiff in the aforesaid suit and resolved as follows.

“That the Plaintiff in the aforementioned suit shall immediately withdraw from court to pave the way for the executive committee of the NFF to immediately convene the emergency General Assembly of the NFF.

“The AGA in which the Congress discusses the way forward for Nigeria football in compliance with the status and for the sake of the good order.” Communique read.

Also, 28 FA Chairmen had sent a notice to the Secretariat of the Federation asking it to vacate the ex-parte order stopping the federation from holding its Congress.

While filling the questions, the Chairman BOT Player Union Harrision Jalla said that, has backed the resolution the congress made.

“As you all aware, we have five statutory bodies that made up of NFF Federation and it very clear that those five body have equal stake any of those bodies can make a proposing for the amendment of the statues provided that the due process is follow what players union want is to amend some aspects of statues should be amended it wouldn’t have generated to this level if NFF have responded to our prayers.”

“We have resolved, here today, that we are going to get that matter out of court and follow the due process in trying to get the relevant section of the statutes that we are asking for, that is all.”

Meanwhile, the Federal government has directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to immediately commence the process that will lead to holding new elections into its Executive Committee at the expiration of the current administration in September.

President Muhammadu Buhari through ministry of Youth and Sports development directed that the instrument of football administration in the country, the NFF Statutes, be amended to include other stakeholders, who had hitherto been disenfranchised, or denied equal representation in the NFF congress.

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Sports

Lagos State Sports Commission, Abbey Rangers FC Seal Groundbreaking Partnership for Grassroots Football Development

Published

30 mins ago

November 5, 2025

The Gleamer

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Abbey Rangers Football Club, a renowned community football institution in the United Kingdom, marking a new era in grassroots football development in Nigeria.

Under this strategic alliance, Abbey Rangers FC will collaborate with the Lagos State Sports Commission to implement a robust seven-pillar framework focused on:
talent development, coaching enhancement, sports science, community engagement, policy support, resource mobilization, and infrastructure growth.

The partnership is a first of its kind between Nigeria and a UK-based community football club and aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive football ecosystem in Lagos State. It promises to unlock new international opportunities for young athletes and coaches, offering pathways for advanced training, mentorship, and global exposure.

Speaking at the official unveiling, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, described the partnership as “a landmark step in Lagos’ mission to build a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem.”

“This collaboration represents a deliberate effort to connect Lagos with global best practices in grassroots football development,” Fatodu stated.

“Abbey Rangers brings proven expertise and community-driven values that align with our vision to nurture world-class talent and position Lagos as a continental hub for youth sports excellence.”

In his remarks, Abbey Rangers Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nick Riley, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that it reflects the club’s long-standing commitment to community-driven sports development.

“We are proud to partner with Lagos State on this visionary initiative,” Riley said.

“Abbey Rangers has always believed that community football is a powerful tool for development, inclusion, and opportunity. This collaboration allows us to share our grassroots model and experience with one of Africa’s most dynamic cities.”

The LSSC–Abbey Rangers partnership is a reflection of Lagos State’s strategic commitment to developing the next generation of football talent through international collaboration, innovation, and community-based sports programs. It also reaffirms the Commission’s leadership in driving sports diplomacy and youth empowerment across Africa.

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