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  • Over twenty teams expected In Benin city for National Division One League 2024.

    Over twenty teams expected In Benin city for National Division One League 2024.

    The National Division One League 2024 is set to begin in Benin City as over twenty teams will converge at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from Sunday to participate in the second tier handball league.

    The National Division One League, which is proudly sponsored by the Edo State government alongside the Handball Federation of Nigeria, is the second tier league in which four teams from the men and women categories will gain promotion to the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025.

    All the teams are expected to arrive at Benin City, Edo State on Sunday July 14th 2024 and will participate in the technical meeting wherein the draws for the league will be done.

    Matches will then commence on Monday July 15th through to the 19th wherein two teams each from the men and women categories will qualify for the top tier Ardova Handball Premier League. They will then depart Benin City on the 20th of July 2024.

    Some of the teams include but not limited to COAS Shooters, Bendel Dynamos, Police Machine, Bayelsa Boys and Arise Handball Club to mention a few in the men category; and Osun Babes, Mindscope Academy, Coal City Babes, Benue Queens and Police Machine in the female category.

    Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission and former Athletic legend, Mr. Yussuf Ali has assured the Handball Federation of Nigeria and the participating teams of a hitch free championship. He further said that the Edo State Government is dedicated to continue the growth of sports which has attracted competition to the state.

    “Let me state clearly that we are happy to be a worthy partner with the Handball Federation of Nigeria in hosting the National Division One League. It has been a mutually beneficial and rewarding partnership which has seen Edo State attract the best of handball

    “I want to therefore assure the HFN that the Edo State Sports Commission has put plans in place to ensure that the National Division One League is a memorable one which will see the best of handballing experience in Benin City ” He concluded.

    Also, the Secretary General of the HFN, Mr. Almu Lambu has also expressed the appreciation of the HFN to the Edo State Government for partnering with the Federation to sponsor and host the National Division One League 2024.

    “On behalf of the HFN, we want to thank the Edo State Government for choosing to partner with us in ensuring the continued growth of handball in Nigeria. “

  • Nigerian woman dusts many others to emerge winner in Italy cooking competition

    Nigerian woman dusts many others to emerge winner in Italy cooking competition

    A Nigerian lady simply known as Tracy Eboigbodin took the world by surprise and made her motherland happy when she defeated many top chefs to emerge the best cook in a contest held in Italy.

    The Benin-born chef contested against many other chef in  Italy in an international cooking competition 11th series of MasterChef and she came out tops.

    Many Nigerians have been accused of engaging in social vices drigs and fraud in the European country but Eboigbodin changed the narrative.

    The Italian embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and Fraser Suites, celebrated Eboigbodin at the seventh edition of the annual week of Italian cuisine in the World, which was held in Abuja on Friday.

    Eboigbodin, who embraced her passion for cooking worked as a waitress in Italy; a job she did for about 15 years before proceeding to culinary school.

  • NFF Elections: Akinwunmi, Dikko, Gusau, Kwande, Amadu, Emeruwa, 5 others cleared for presidential race

    NFF Elections: Akinwunmi, Dikko, Gusau, Kwande, Amadu, Emeruwa, 5 others cleared for presidential race

    The NFF Electoral Committee 2022 has cleared a total of 11 persons to contest for the position of NFF President at the Federation’s elections scheduled for Friday, 30th September in Benin City.

    Top on the list are current 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi; current 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko; current Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau; current Member of Board, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande; immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu and; Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.

    Also cleared for the exalted post, to be vacated by FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick, are former NFF 1st Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam; Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Mallam Adam Mouktar Mohammed; former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah; former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC and respected technocract, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola and; UK-based David-Buhari Doherty.

    Mr. Paul Yusuf from Plateau State was disqualified as a result of invalid nomination; the same axe that swept Mr. Marcellinus Anyanwu from Imo State out of the race.

    Three persons, viz current Member of Board, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; current Member of Board, Senator Obinna Ogba and; Mr Chinedu Okoye will battle for the post of 1st Vice President.

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ was the only one who obtained the form, and has been cleared for, the position of Chairman of Chairmen.

    Contesting for seats on the Executive Committee from the South East are: Pastor Emeka Inyama (Abia State); Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi (Anambra State); Mr Karibe Pascal Ojigwe (Abia State); Mr. Jude Benjamin Obikwelu (Anambra State) and; Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha (Imo State).

    For North Central are Alhaji Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa State); Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (Benue State); Hon. Idris Abdullahi Musa (Kwara State); Mr. Daniel Amokachi (Benue State) and; Mr. Benedict Akwuegbu (Plateau State).

    Current Member of Board, Ms Aisha Falode tops the list of candidates from the South South region, with Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha (Delta State); Mr. Gregory Abang (Cross River State); Mr. Roland Abu Omomoh (Edo State); Barr. Poubeni Ogun (Bayelsa State); Mr Jarret Tenebe (Edo State) and; Rt. Hon. Essien Udofot (Akwa Ibom State) also vying for seats from that zone.

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi leads the list of contestants for seats from the South West, with Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo State); Alhaji Olawale Gafar Liameed (Lagos State); Mr. Afolabi Taiwo Olugbenga (Osun State); Mr. Ayodeji Adegbenro (Ondo State) and Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi also in the race. Mr. Ayodeji Ogunjobi (Osun State) was disqualified for not providing evidence of tax payment.

    North East candidates are current Member of Board, Alhaji Babagana Kalli (Borno State); Barr. Sajo Mohammed (Adamawa State) and; Mr. Timothy Henman Magaji (Taraba State)

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Kano State) is the only candidate from the North West

  • NFF Elections: Electoral Committee rolls out roadmap

    NFF Elections: Electoral Committee rolls out roadmap

    The NFF Electoral Committee 2022 on Wednesday rolled out the time-table towards the elections that have been scheduled for Friday, 30th September 2022 in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

    The process for a new NFF Executive Committee to replace the Amaju Pinnick-board that has served for eight years will commence properly on Monday, 29th August with the sales of nomination forms, endorsements and return of forms. This particular process will last until Thursday, 8th September 2022.

    The screening of candidates will be within two days – Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th September. On Monday, 12th September, the names of candidates that scaled the screening procedure will be released by the Electoral Committee.

    Between Monday, 12th September and Thursday, 15th September, candidates not satisfied with the screening procedure can elect to submit protests while the hearing and determination of the appeals will be done on Friday, 16th and Saturday, 17th September by 12 noon daily.

    The Electoral Committee will release the final list of successful candidates for the elections on Monday, 19th September, with campaigning by the successful candidates to commence on Tuesday, 20th September and end by midnight on Thursday, 29th September 2022.

  • NFF election to hold in September as Pinnick’s tenure ends

    NFF election to hold in September as Pinnick’s tenure ends

    The Nigeria football federation in its Annual General Meeting held on August 18  unanimously agreed to hold its election on September 30 in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.

    The decision to hold the election in Benin City on September 30th was the major talking point  of the AGM held at the Best Western Hotel in Lagos.

    However, the Electoral and Appeal committees were immediately set up ahead of the September 30 election.

    NFF president Amaju Pinnick has confirmed he would not be re-contesting the NFF presidency position after spending two terms in office.

    It was  gathered that the 44-man congress turned down a proposal to have the election held on October 20 against the fixed September 30.

    Present at the congress in Lagos on Thursday were the chairmen and secretaries of the NFF’s 44 members (FAs of all the 36 states and the FCT), along with representatives from the leagues, the coaches association, the referees association, the players’ union, NFF executive committee members, invited dignitaries, NFF management and staff, and several other stakeholders.

    Below is the communique of the Annual General Meeting of the NFF

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation met on Thursday, 18th August 2022 at the Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football and resolved as follows:

    1) The Executive Committee commended the Federal Government for the support and encouragement that it has always provided for the Nigeria Football Federation, the various National Teams and Nigeria Football generally to grow and blossom in spite of certain debilitating challenges.

    2) After listening to the presentation of the 2nd Vice President/Chairman, LMC on the challenges that beleaguered this year’s AITEO Cup competition, the Board adopted resolutions reached at the meeting of the NFF with the owners of Clubs that reached the men’s quarter-finals that the competition reboot at that stage and the Clubs be refunded their expenses for travelling for last-eight matches that did not take place. However, Heartland FC, who defeated Katsina FC in their quarter-final game in Ilorin, are already through to the semi-finals. It was agreed that the competition (men’s version) restarts after the NFF Annual General Assembly of Thursday, 18th August 2022, with the key objective of providing considerable mileage for sponsors, AITEO.

    3) Following a detailed presentation by the Head of Delegation of Nigeria team to the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Executive Committee directed its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to hold a meeting and make recommendations on the way forward for the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, including but not limited to a thorough evaluation of the capability of the coaching crew to lead the team to a creditable performance at the FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next year.

    4) After his solemn declaration that he would not be contesting to retain his seat as President at the next NFF Elective General Assembly, the Board greatly commended the President for his huge sacrifices for Nigeria Football in the past eight years, and wished him success and progress in his future endeavours and pursuits. The President stated that he would be ready at all times to offer his support, encouragement and wealth of experience to the incoming President and the Board.

    5) The Executive Committee praised the U20 Women National Team, Falconets for its excellent performance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, at which the team has won all three matches of the group phase and qualified for the quarter-finals as group leader. It noted that the achievement, as well as the triumphs of the U20 and U17 Boys in regional tournaments in Niger Republic and Ghana, and the qualification of the U17 Girls for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, is a marker of the dedication, vision and investment of the present NFF administration in youth development.

    7) The Board directed the Secretariat to ensure that no stone was left unturned in preparations ahead of the African Nations Championship qualifying fixture between Nigeria and Ghana at the end of this month. The first leg of the final qualifying fixture will take place in Cape Coast on Sunday, 28th August while the second leg will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 3rd September.

    IN ATTENDANCE: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President); Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary)

    COMMUNIQUE OF THE 77TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION HELD AT THE BEST WESTERN HOTEL, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS ON THURSDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2022

     

    1)    The General Assembly expressed heartfelt appreciation of the entire Nigeria Football fraternity to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR as a person and the Federal Government as a body, for the continued support and encouragement of the NFF, the various National Teams and Nigeria Football generally.

     

    2)   The Congress approved the suspension of the provisions of the NFF Statutes (2010) and the NFF Electoral Code (2009) that provide a certain duration between the time of constitution of the Electoral Committee and the conduct of elections into the NFF Executive Committee. The Congress thereby adopted Friday, 30th September as date for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

    3)    Following from the above, the Congress constituted the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022 thus:

    NFF Electoral Committee 2022: Aikhunegire Anthony Malik (Chairman); Justice Abdulkadir Zakariyya (Vice Chairman); Babatunde Ogala – SAN (Member); Daha Umar Daura – Danburam (Member); Gambo Mamman (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo

     

    NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022: Barrister Gandi Umar, mni (Chairman); Ayo Akindele – SAN (Vice Chairman); Rev. Obioma Onyeaghala (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Chive Kaave; Barrister Idi Halidu Ali

    4)   The General Assembly approved Benin City, capital of Edo State as venue for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

    5)   Following a motion on the floor of the General Assembly, the Congress approved that the present NFF Executive Committee remain in office to conduct the 30th September 2022 elections in order to avoid any form of vacuum.

    6)   Congress approved that all decisions reached at the Annual General Assembly, in particular the Electoral Roadmap, be communicated to world football-governing body, FIFA by the NFF General Secretary without delay, for approval, endorsement and ratification.

    7)   The General Assembly expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its support and encouragement of Nigeria Football at all times.

  • Three-year-old found dead in Edo, Police arrests Uncle

    Three-year-old found dead in Edo, Police arrests Uncle

    The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons over the death of a three-year-old boy, in a hospital in Benin, the Edo state capital.

    The suspects, Andy Okoli, who was the victim’s uncle, and a nurse, were said to be in police custody over the incident.

    The boy identified only as Prosper, died a week ago.

    The deceased was said to have accompanied his uncle to the private hospital on Wisdom Street, off 2nd East Circular Road, said to be owned by a former Managing Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, where he suddenly disappeared.

    His corpse was discovered the following morning in one of the wards in the hospital.

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    The victim’s mother, Mary Okoli, who called for justice, said she hurried down to Benin from her base in Lagos State after she was called over the matter.

    She noted that the death of her son was a mystery, which must be unravelled.

    A worker at the hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “A security worker about 11 days ago started coming to work with a minor, who he said was his sister’s son. On the fateful day, the little boy went missing and was later found dead in one of the hospital’s wards and we immediately alerted the police.”

    The state police spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the police suspected foul play, adding that the security man and the nurse on duty when the incident happened were being investigated by the homicide section of the state command.

    He said, “The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Esigie Police Division Headquarters, Benin, and his police operatives moved to the scene and discovered that the hospital premises were well secured, so he suspected foul play. The security man and the nurse on duty were arrested and brought to Esigie Police Station for questioning.

    “The case file and suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, while the corpse of the child was deposited in a morgue. Discreet investigation is currently taking place in the homicide section of the SCID.”

  • Costa Rica 2022: Falconets set to grab World Cup ticket in Benin

    Costa Rica 2022: Falconets set to grab World Cup ticket in Benin

    Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets expect to pick their ticket to the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica when they host their counterparts from Senegal in Benin City on Saturday.

    Forward Flouriish Sebastine hit a hat-trick in the first leg before the home team earned and put away a penalty in the final seconds, for a 3-1 victory for Nigeria. The Falconets have finished as runners-up at two editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, in 2010 and 2014, and reached the semi finals in 2012.

    The Senegalese delegation arrived in Nigeria on Thursday morning, and would be flown to Benin City on Friday. Saturday’s match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will kick off at 4pm.

    To reach this final stage, the Falconets turned back their counterparts from Central African Republic 11-0 on aggregate, before beating Republic of Congo 4-0 in Brazzaville in a third round, first leg match. The result discouraged the Congolese from flying to Nigeria for the second leg.

    In the fourth round, the Falconets unplugged Cameroon’s Young Lionesses 3-0 on aggregate.

    Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Eswatini to take charge of Saturday’s encounter. Letticia Antonella Viana will be referee, with compatriots Cosma Nxumalo (assistant referee 1), Patricia Mkhaliph (assistant referee 2) and Rebeccah Tencwala Soko (fourth official) also involved. The match commissioner will be Aisha Nalule from Uganda.

    This year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will hold in Costa Rica in the month of August.

  • Match officials arrive for Flamingos, DR Congo World Cup qualifier in Benin City

    Match officials arrive for Flamingos, DR Congo World Cup qualifier in Benin City

    Match officials for Saturday’s 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match between the U17 girls of Nigeria and those of the Democratic Republic of Congo will arrive in Nigeria on Thursday.

    Beninoise official Laurande Offin Kayode has been selected by the Confederation of African Football to be referee for the match, alongside her compatriots Nafissatou Yekini Shitou (assistant referee 1), Djaria Bio Yacoubou (assistant referee 2) and Aurore Christelle Ligan (fourth official). The match commissioner is Christine Ziga from Ghana.

    The encounter is one of the second round, second leg of the African series for the championship to be hosted by India in the month of October. Nigeria’s Flamingos took the wind off the sails of the Congolese in the fixture by winning the first leg in Kinshasa 3-0 on Sunday, 6th March.

    Midfielder Blessing Emmanuel, defender Tumininu Adeshina and forward Opeyemi Ajakaiye shared the goals among themselves at the Stade de Matrys, and the impression of an attack-minded squad in which anyone is capable of scoring subsists for Saturday’s game at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

    The Flamingos arrived in Benin City on Tuesday evening, with Coach Bankole Olowookere insisting his girls will go all out for victory despite the massive advantage from the opening leg.

    “There is no complacency in our camp. Every match must be approached with the mentality of gaining victory. We did well in Kinshasa but the girls wasted a number of scoring chances and we have been working on that. Clinical precision is key for any team that wants to win matches and tournaments.”

    The winner on aggregate after Saturday’s encounter will earn a place in the third round of the series, where the U17 girls of Egypt await, in the month of April. The final round of the qualifiers will be in May.

    This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, the seventh edition since it was launched in New Zealand in 2008, will take place in India, 11th – 30th October. Nigeria have missed only one edition of the tournament (the 2018 finals in Uruguay) but participated in the 2008, 2010 (Trinidad & Tobago), 2012 (Azerbaijan), 2014 (Costa Rica) and 2016 (Jordan) championships. The 2020 finals, scheduled for India, were annulled by the global coronavirus pandemic.

  • Govt. calls for calm as Edo youths clash with mobile police leaving 2 dead

    Govt. calls for calm as Edo youths clash with mobile police leaving 2 dead

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has called for calm following clash between some youths and mobile policemen at Upper Igun area by 3rd East Circular Road Junction in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City.

    TheNewsGuru reports there was commotion around the Igun axis after a policeman reportedly killed a bus driver and drivers retaliated by killing a policeman.

    Soldiers have been drafted to the scene.

    In a statement by Mr Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Governor Obaseki called for calm, urging aggrieved parties to “allow for justice to run its due course, as efforts are underway to ensure that those liable for the crime are brought to book”.

    The governor condemned the fact that the incident degenerated into civil disturbance, noting that there were better ways to resolve the scuffle.

    “The relevant security agencies are on the alert to quell further breakdown of law and order in the area. We also appeal to the people to be calm and cooperate with security agencies to bring in those responsible for the unrest,” he stated.