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Coach Lukman Orire Celebrates Obazz FC Founder Patrick Johnson Obaze on Birthday Head Coach of Obazz FC, Lukman Orire, has paid glowing tribute to the founder and proprietor of the Ijebu Ode-based football club, Mr. Patrick Johnson Obaze, on the occasion of his birthday. In a heartfelt birthday message, Coach Orire described Mr. Obaze as a visionary football administrator whose unwavering commitment to youth development and grassroots football has continued to inspire many young players and coaches. He commended the club founder for his passion, sacrifice and investment in nurturing talented footballers, noting that Obazz FC has become a platform where aspiring players are given the opportunity to pursue their dreams. "On behalf of the coaching crew, players and the entire Obazz FC family, I celebrate our founder, Mr. Patrick Johnson Obaze, on this special occasion of his birthday. Your vision, leadership and relentless support have been the driving force behind th...

Bago/Sani 313 Prosperity/Unity Cup football competition draws conducted By Abubakar Hassan The Niger State Sports Commission (NSSC), in collaboration with the State Soccer Vanguard, has conducted the draws for the maiden edition of the Bago/Sani 313 Prosperity/Unity Cup football competition. The tournament, an inter-local government football competition, will feature teams from all nine local government areas in the Niger East Senatorial District, namely Bosso, Chanchaga, Gurara, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Shiroro, Suleja, and Tafa. Speaking during the draws on Tuesday, the General Coordinator of the tournament and Vice Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna, Alhaji Usman Garba, stated that the event is not politically motivated, despite being sponsored by a politician. He noted that while football and politics often intersect, the organizers are committed to keeping politics out of the game due to its sensitive nature. He added that the tournament is organized to ap...

NLO Playoffs: Bida Lions Call for Probe Over Lafia Centre Outcome The management of Bida Lions Football Club has formally raised concerns over the conduct of the ongoing Nationwide League One (NLO) playoffs at the Lafia centre in Nasarawa State. In a statement signed by the Club Secretary, El-Shafee Mohammed, the club expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as a suspicious result in the final group match between Flight FC of Gboko, Benue State, and Mighty Jets Feeders of Jos, which ended 9–3 in favour of the Plateau State side. The statement noted that the outcome enabled Mighty Jets Feeders, who had earlier lost to Bida Lions, to top the group on goal difference, a development the club considers questionable and deserving of scrutiny. Bida Lions further criticised the organisers for failing to schedule the final group matches simultaneously, describing the decision as a deviation from established competition standards and best practices. The club emphasized that s...

Unity FC honours Engr Dada for contributions to youth, football development By Abubakar Hassan Unity Football Club of Maitumbi in Minna has honoured the immediate past Chairman of Niger Tornadoes Football Club and All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for Bosso–Paikoro Federal Constituency, Engr. Ibrahim Dada Maikunkele, with a ceremonial football match and an award, in recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment and football development. The event attracted football lovers and community stakeholders, celebrating Engr. Dada’s impact, particularly during his tenure as the State Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), a position he recently resigned from to pursue his political ambition. Speaking shortly after receiving the award, the former State Coordinator of the RAMP described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring. “I feel so honoured and very grateful. This kind of recognition does not come by chance; it is earn...

Niger govt begins facelift of Bako Kontagora Stadium to meet standard Abubakar Hassan The Niger State Government has handed over the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna to sports facility construction company, Diamond Orange Limited, for renovation, as part of plans to upgrade the facility to FIFA standards. The state Commissioner for Youth Affairs and overseeing commissioner for Sports Development, Jacob Baba Yisa who supervised the handover on Thursday, said the project reflects the state government’s commitment to improving sports infrastructure and preparing the stadium to host the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches and other sporting activities. He disclosed that the renovation, approved by the state governor, will include the installation of a synthetic turf and an electronic scoreboard, bringing the facility in line with modern sporting standards. On the financial aspects of the project, the commissioner noted that it is funded with public resources and ...

NSFA Chairman tasks teams on discipline as Niger state league enters round of 16 By Abubakar Hassan The Chairman of the Niger State Football Association (NSFA), Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, has charged teams that have qualified for the Round of 16 of the ongoing Niger State Super League to maintain a high level of discipline, professionalism, and sportsmanship as the competition progresses. Comrade Ahmed gave the charge in a congratulatory message to the teams, commending them for their impressive performances in the preliminary stage of the tournament, noting that their qualification for the knockout phase is a clear reflection of their strength, quality, and determination. According to him, discipline will play a crucial role in determining the eventual winners, as he urged the teams to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch in a manner that upholds the integrity of the game. The NSFA Chairman also emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect among pl...