Sports

Onigbinde, Others Pay Tribute To Late Ogunjobi

Published

6 years ago

March 15, 2019

Several prominent football stakeholders had so much to say on the late Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Secretary-General of the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA), as final burial rites for him began.
The football stakeholders paid their tribute on Wednesday in Ibadan at a symposium organised by the Western Nigeria Football Forum (WNFF) in honour of the former Nigeria international and football administrator.
Tidesports source reports that the symposium had the theme “Celebrating the Life and Times of Taiwo Ogunjobi’’.
It was part of the ongoing burial activities lined up in honour of the late Ogunjobi.
Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF’s First Vice-President, described the late Ogunjobi as a man of great virtue who contributed immensely to the growth of football in the country.
He said Ogunjobi’s achievements were numerous as a former player and skipper of the defunct IICC Shooting Stars Football Club, and a former player of the then Green Eagles.
“Ogunjobi was a great man who should be immortalised because of his contributions to the nation’s development in football,’’ Akinwunmi said of Ogunjobi, who was Chairman of Osun Football Association.
Adegboye Onigbinde, a former FIFA/CAF Instructor, said the late Ogunjobi had played his part very well, and called on everyone to always do good wherever they found themselves.
Onigbinde, who counseled all to embrace godliness, prayed to God to keep the late Ogunjobi’s soul in perfect peace.
Gbolagade Busari, the Board Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), said Ogunjobi was his hero, adding that he played a vital role in his return to the Ibadan-based football club.
Busari said Ogunjobi’s death was not a loss to only his family and 3SC, but a great loss to the country’s football family.
Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of Nigeria Supporters Club, described the late Ogunjobi as a man who was never ready to compromise the truth.
Ladipo, who said the country’s unity relied largely on football, called for the immortalisation of Ogunjobi for his immeasurable contributions to 3SC and football in Nigeria.
Bolaji Ojo-Oba, a former General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and Mohammed Sanusi who presently occupies that position, described Ogunjobi as an unassuming person.
“He was a peacemaker and bridge-builder,’’ Ojo-Oba said.
The duo urged other stakeholders to emulate Ogunjobi’s virtues, and promised that they would ensure that his legacies lived on.
Amanze Uchegbulam, Chairman of the Imo Football Association (FA), said the late Ogunjobi was his closest football friend in the country, disclosing that he was yet to recover from his demise.
“Ogunjobi occupied several positions to have an impact on his society. He is the first Chairman of Chairmen in Nigeria. He was very prayerful,’’ he said.
Felix Owolabi, an ex-international, said there were so many reasons to celebrate the late Ogunjobi, whom he said contributed immensely to the nation’s football growth.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Dominic Omeya, a former NFA Chairman, Fanny Amun, a former NFA Secretary-General, and Ibrahim Gusau, the Chairman of State FA Chairmen.
Also in attendance were ex-internationals such as Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Shorunmu and Dimeji Lawal, as well as some of the deceased’s children, Lanre, Deji and Omowunmi.
NAN reports that a candlelight procession was held after the symposium.(

City Crime

‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.

Sports

Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.

Sports

Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2025

The Tide

Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.