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Tag: Dikko

  • Dikko: NFF happy with performance of Referees Committee

    Dikko: NFF happy with performance of Referees Committee

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is happy with the performance of its Referees Committee, hence the re-appointment of most members of the previous panel into the newly –composed committee.

    Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, at the inauguration of the Committee, NFF 1st Vice President/LMC chairman, Shehu Dikko, who stood in for NFF President Amaju Pinnick, said the NFF administration is committed to rewarding excellence and to support great ideas.

    “The NFF leadership is happy with this Committee’s performance and that is why most members were re-appointed. Last season, we had issues with only two matches out of 380. That is outright distinction and must be appreciated.

    “However, last season is gone, we need to consolidate on what we achieved in the past season. We will do everything to support the Committee to succeed as it will reflect on our Leagues in terms of officiating. On our part, we will ensure referees are happy as indeminity payments will be reviewed upwards as well as the quality of accommodation. We have spoken to the Inspector  General of Police for special police force for the safety of our match officials.”

    NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi also confirmed that the NFF is happy with the performance of the outgone Committee, and would want the new panel to continue in similar light.

    Speaking earlier, Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alh. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, said the nomination of most members of the old panel into the newly –composed Committee “is a wonderful opportunity to continue to work with old friends, I believe that even the two new members will inject new vigour into the activities of the Committee.

    “There were a number of challenges that we faced the last time, but with hard work and diligence, we were able to surmount them. We believe that past positive experiences will make us perform even better this term.”

    The NFF Referees Committee is composed thus: Alh. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh (Chairman); Alh. Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Vice Chairman); Mr. Tade Azeez (Member); Alh. Ahmed Maude (Member); Mallam Salihu Abubakar (Member); Mr. Dave Egho (Member); Sir E. C. Chukwuemeka (Member); Mr. Linus Mba (Consultant); Elder Daniel Olokor (Consultant) and Alh. Sani Zubairu (Secretary).

  • CAF Competitions: Dikko charges Nigerian clubs to be good ambassadors

    CAF Competitions: Dikko charges Nigerian clubs to be good ambassadors

    Chairman of the League Management Company, Shehu Dikko has charged the four teams representing Nigeria in continental club competitions to be good ambassadors of the league even as he expressed satisfaction with their preparations for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Club championships starting this weekend.

    Dikko spoke shortly after presenting the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 Pre-season tournament trophy to winners, Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and described the two rounds of the Super 4 tournament in Kaduna and Uyo as a competitive build-up to the continental race.

    “The Super 4 is part of an obligation of the League Management Company (LMC) in the contract with the then league sponsor but we went a step further in view of the kick-off date for the 2015/16 season to make it a tow round tournament which will provide the needed competitive match fitness for the clubs going into the continent.

    “The performance in Uyo showed a remarkable improvement to what was witnessed in Kaduna and while preparations cannot at any time be described as perfect, we are happy with the progress made so far and with the season starting in two weeks, the players will definitely be properly primed before their second leg matches”, Dikko remarked.

    Akwa United finished on 9 points to win their maiden Super 4 trophy at first try ahead of Enyimba International and Nasarawa United, both on 8 points while Warri Wolves finished on 7 points.

    “Nigerians are repossessing their league by coming out in numbers to watch our clubs play, following the league on media platforms and the clubs can only reciprocate by improving on our previous outings in continental club competitions. You all have to be good ambassadors of the league”, the LMC Chairman charged.

    Dikko also said the close finish by the four teams shows how competitive the tournament was, adding, “just like in our regular season, it has been a photo finish which goes to show the competitiveness of our league and the point that none of our teams is a push-over”.

    The LMC Chairman wished all the clubs a successful outing in their first leg matches urging them to win well and make the second leg a formality. “The LMC and of course the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will support all the clubs in whichever way necessary to ensure they improved on previous outings. We wish them success beginning this weekend”.

  • LMC Pre-AGM: Dikko pledges improved season

    LMC Pre-AGM: Dikko pledges improved season

    A pre-annual General Meeting of the League Management Company (LMC) held on Sunday in Kaduna with the LMC  Chairman, Shehu Dikko pledging that the league will build on the positives of the last season while improving on observed challenges.

    The meeting tagged a Consultative Forum between LMC and the NPFL Clubs by Barrister Isaac Danladi, the Chairman of the Club Owners and Managers Association, was described by the LMC Chairman as part of the activities to mark the commencement of the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    Welcoming his fellow club chairmen, Danladi remarked that the meeting is a forum to share experiences and harmonise positions on issues before the AGM and commended them for making out time to attend the meeting.

    In his speech to declare open the meeting, Dikko observed that “amongst several other matters on the agenda will be a review of the past season to evaluate and update our rules based on observed challenges and events of the past season”.

    “At this meeting, we will also review commercial activities with a view to updating our revenue generating capacity and we will also be discussing the issue of players welfare which was one of the major challenges of the last season,” Dikko stated.

    He then declared that the LMC will work in the new season to improve on the successes of the 2014/15 season and seek solutions to the challenges encountered in the course of the concluded season.

    “We will strive to ensure that all that was deemed to have been properly done last season will be improved on and we have noted the challenges which together, we will work out solutions to eliminate those drawbacks,” Dikko promised.

    In attendance at the meeting was former Chairman of the LMC, Hon. Nduka Irabor, LMC Directors, Dr. Isaac Ayodele, Dominic Iorfa, Akin Akinbobola and the newly admitted clubs in the NPFL, Niger Tornadoes, Ikorodu United, MFM FC and Plateau United.

    Some of the newly appointed Club Chairmen and General Managers also attended their maiden meeting of the LMC Consultative Forum. They include Isa Matori (Wikki Tourists), Moses Etu (Warri Wolves), Oscar Keke (Heartland), Dele Gbajuma (Ikorodu United), Sunday Ojieh (MFM), Mike Idoko (Lobi Stars), Adamu Ali Mohammed (Tornadoes), and Pius Henwan (Plateau United). The AGM will hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State during the second round of the Super 4.

  • $2.1b arms deals: Mu’azu, Dikko, Jonathan’s ex-aide may be declared wanted

    $2.1b arms deals: Mu’azu, Dikko, Jonathan’s ex-aide may be declared wanted

    Security agencies may declare former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair Adamu Muazu, former Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller-General Abdullahi Dikko Inde  and four others wanted.

    The others are former PDP Kebbi State governorship candidate Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki, a former top official in the Office of National Security Adviser, Col. Bello Fadile, former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs Waripamowei Dudafa and a former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr.Abdulrasheed Maina.

    They are wanted in connection with the ongoing probe of alleged curious spending by some former public officers, including  the management of $2.1billion arms cash by ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), who is in detention.

    Some of those wanted allegedly diverted public funds  to other uses, including political purposes.

    Investigations have so far shown that some of the officers have questions to answer on some expenditures incurred by the Jonathan administration.

    The breakdown is as follows:

    • Muazu—(N500million cash allegedly from the Office of the National Security Adviser);
    • Yaki(N200million from ONSA);
    • Fadile(N100million from ONSA);
    • Dudafa( being investigated for N10billion given to the delegates to the PDP’s nomination convention);
    • Maina—alleged N20billion pension fraud
    • Dikko—N3.5billion incurred  on internet project

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence, most of those affected were invited by the Special Investigative Committee probing the activities of ONSA but they refused to turn up.

    The source added: “Security agencies have given these former public officers enough time but they have not turned up to clear some disbursements and  expenditures traced to them.

    “The committee is not saying that they are guilty but it is imperative for them to appear before the team handling these issues.

    “They have up to one week to honour the invitation of the panel or else they will be declared wanted by the appropriate security agencies.”

    Another source said: “Some of the accused persons on trial admitted disbursing arms cash to a few of these former public officers. For instance, Dasuki, in his statement, said he handed over N10billion to Dudafa for disbursement to delegates to PDP Nomination Convention.

    “A former Minister of Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, who is standing trial, said Yakin benefited to the tune of N200million from some funds.

    “Most of these people are holed up abroad. Let them come home. Once they are declared wanted by security agencies, it will be easier to extradite them home.”

  • Dikko tasks clubs on players’ welfare

    Dikko tasks clubs on players’ welfare

    Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko has stressed the need for clubs in apex League in Nigeria to put the welfare of their players and staff in topmost priority, even as the 2015/2016 Nigeria professional football league season is set to kick off at the end of this month across the centres.

    The LMC boss spoke as a guest on a Radio Nigeria network sports programme, Midweek Sports monitored on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that the Rules and Regulation Framework governing the NPFL remained one of the best in the world, and therefore contained therein adequate provisions, processes and conditions of engagement of players and coaches as well as their rights and limitations.

    Dikko who described the just concluded 2014/2015 season as a success, assured the Nigeria football fans and stake holders that the coming season would be better, as the LMC would consolidate on the success of the last season.

    On the isolated cases of non payment of salary arrears by few of the clubs last season , the LMC boss said 16 clubs out of 20 were able to fulfill their financial obligations to their players, adding that the LMC would consider non-sporting sanctions next season, alongside insisting on the provision of bank guarantees as a condition for participation in the league.

    He assured players and coaches that necessary measures would be put in place to ensure that their welfare is given a guaranteed placement in the coming season.

    He advised them to engage the services of intermediaries or agents to guide and educate them on contractual provisions and agreements as well as the Rules and Regulations framework of the League.

  • Dikko leads Eagles to Burkina Faso

    Dikko leads Eagles to Burkina Faso

    Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) Shehu Dikko will lead Nigeria’s delegation to this weekend’s 2016 CHAN qualifier in Burkina Faso.

    Nigeria won the first leg in Port Harcourt 2-0 a week ago with the overall winners advancing to the CHAN final tournament in Rwanda in January.

    A chartered ARIK Air aircraft will fly out of the Port Harcourt International Airport at about 5.30pm Nigeria time, and will land in the Burkinabe capital after about two-and-half hours.

    NFF 2nd Vice President. Shehu Dikko will lead a delegation that also includes chairman of NFF technical committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu; deputy general secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme; deputy director of competitions, Ayobola Oyeyode and assistant director of communications, Ademola Olajire.

    There will also be 22 players, 13 technical and backroom staff, a number of stakeholders, some NFF staff, a couple of media representatives and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club.

    The Super Eagles will have the official training at the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou on this evening, with the match to start at 4.00pm (5pm Nigeria time) on Sunday at the same venue.

     

  • Good bye Dikko Inde Abdullahi

    When the govern-ment of the late President Musa Umar Yar’adua announced him in 2009 as the head to pilot the affairs of the second highest generating revenue outfit in the country, no one was in doubt, as his avowed determination to steer the ship of this agency to the expectation of entire Nigerians.

    Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi would be leaving the Nigeria Customs Service with legacies that would be remembered for many years to come, due to his focussed, visionary and purposeful leadership when he held sway as the customs boss for the period of six years.

    The revenue under the tenure of the former Comptroller General rose from a monthly revenue of 29 billion to about 90 and 100 billion naira, which was part of his six-point agenda he set for himself when he assumed duty as the helms man of the service.

    The other notable agenda he would be leaving for the service include capacity building, introduction of e-customs, enhancing productivity through improved welfare package, moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in the service, collaboration with stakeholders and international organisations and as well as fostering understanding of the service in the general public.

    The Nigeria Customs fared better under the regime of the former Comptroller General Inde Dikko Abdullah where the welfare of officers was brought to the front burner.

    But as human being, the former CG can’t be exonerated from some short comings which were noticed during his stay as the head of the Customs.

    We believe the next CG will be a person that will build on the success of the former CG, and correct certain areas and lapses he would notice.

    The current government of President Muhammadu Buhari of giving leadership position, based on merit, will ensure the person to occupy the position of next Comptroller General of Customs would be a man of proven integrity, hard working, season officer, an officer that would be acceptable to the entire Nigerians and would key into President

    Muhammadu Buhari’s change that Nigerians are seeing at present.

    Much has been said and written about this much respected and revenue-yielding organ of government without taking into cognisance the peculiar role it plays in revenue generation, suppressing of smuggling and other security issues that affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

    As Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullah takes a bow from the Nigeria Customs Service, we wish him success in his next endeavour and say jazaka lahi

     

    • By Bala Nayashi Lokoja

  • I am fulfilled, says ex Customs boss Dikko

    The immediate past Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS ) Abdullahi Inde-Dikko yesterday gave himself a pass mark.

    Speaking at the inauguration of  the NCS state-of-the-art hospital located at the Customs barracks, Karu, Abuja, he said he felt fulfilled building the building the hospital.

    Asked what the experience was as the Customs boss, he said :“The experience has been successful and I am fulfilled. I want to be remembered as an ordinary Nigerian who had the opportunity to serve his nation and I served my nation diligently.”

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who inaugurated the  hospital, said he was taken aback by the size of the hospital.

    He hailed Dikko for the project.

    His words: “The best way to put this edifice in use is to affiliate it with a university and make it a teaching hospital. It is perhaps the most well-equipped hospital I have seen in Nigeria and as equipped as anyone I have seen anywhere in the world.

    “The Nigeria Customs Service should be commended for this effort.”

     

  • Etisalat appoints Dikko, Ogujiofor as Vice Presidents

    Etisalat Nigeria has appointed Ibrahim Dikko as Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, and Ken Ogujiofor as Vice President Consumer Sales and Service.

    Dikko was the Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, responsible for regulation, community and environmental issues.

    In his new role, he will be leading the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs teams to achieve the company’s strategic plan of forging and maintaining valuable partnerships among all its stakeholders.

    Ogujiofor was the Director, Channel Sales where he was responsible for identifying Channel Partners across Corporate, Distribution and Alternate channels for sales of Etisalat’s products and services.

    As Vice President Consumer Sales and Service, he will play a major role in synergising the mix between direct and indirect sales as well as ensuring quality services across all Etisalat’s touch points.

    Its Chief Executive Officer Matthew Willsher, explained: “These appointments are necessary to reflect level and scope of responsibility of the two executives and also to sharpen the organisation’s focus on the customer, drive operational efficiency, and improved results through better alignment of functions with similar priorities.

    “At Etisalat, we are committed to empowering individuals and our communities to empower the nation; therefore we look forward to the benefits of the transforming leadership that will follow these new appointments.”

     

  • Diko is new ICRC chief

    President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Mr. Aminu Diko as Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos by the Acting Head, Communication Department, ICRC, Mrs. Deborah Okafor.

    The statement said that Diko had since assumed office.

    “Diko, a seasoned corporate lawyer, was formerly the Executive Director, Contract Compliance Centre of the commission.

    “His experience and expertise, spanning over a period of 30 years, will be critical in steering the commission towards ensuring successes in using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a modern procurement option.

    “This will be predicated upon a proactive regulatory regime that will require strategic stakeholder engagement to engender the development of critical national infrastructure,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Okafor as saying in the statement.