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  • Rohr advises Eagles to invest wisely

    Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has advised Super Eagles players to take serious the lessons from the Tuesday wealth investment seminar the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organized for them.

    The 64 year old Eagles Technical coach gave the advice explaining that he had no opportunities for wealth investment lessons during his active days as a footballer.

    The seminar on wealth creation and portfolio management was organised for the players and officials of the Super Eagles in Abuja.

    He said, “In life, things do change and sometimes, the changes are not what we planned or prepared for.

    “I pray for all these players to have long, injury –free careers but even then, you can only play for an average of 17 years.

    “I played for 17 years. I wish I got this kind of guidance and advice when I was still playing.”

    Captain Mikel Obi who attended the lecture said, “Since I started playing for Nigeria, this is the first time I am witnessing this kind of seminar. I appeal to all my colleagues to take serious the lessons from this programme.

    “We must plan for the days that our bodies will no longer be able to withstand the kind of rigours they go through now. I have learnt a lot from here that I will personally apply it to my life.”

    According to NFF President Amaju Pinnick, only wise financial decisions and sensible investment moves could create sustainable wealth that would spare them of any regret in the future.

    “We put together this seminar knowing that it would be of immense benefit to all members of this team.

    “Our care for you should not end on the field of play. We are family and must have one another’s back always.

    “Please take away good lessons from here so that tomorrow, you would not become liability to anyone or the society.

    “You players have all definitely been making some good money in your various Clubs, and will also be making money during this World Cup.

    “It is not the money that you have that is the wealth; it is how you invest the monies and manage your portfolio to continue to create wealth for you.

    “I know a number of sportsmen (in Nigeria and globally) who made more than yourselves during their career and then fell on bad times after retirement.

  • NFF Electoral Committee rolls out timetable

    Aspirants for seats on the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) can get ready as the sale of forms will begin on Monday, 21st May 2018.

    At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the NFF Electoral Committee headed by Barrister Mohammed Sani Katu, disclosed that sale of forms, endorsements and return of the forms will hold between Monday, 21st May and Monday, 4th June – a duration of two weeks. This is as far as the process will go before the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, at which Nigeria’s Super Eagles team is one of the 32 participating teams.

    Screening of candidates will take place on Thursday, 19th July and Saturday, 21st July 2018 – after the FIFA World Cup finals. Names of successful candidates will be released two days after the last day of screening –which is, Monday, 23rd July.

    Unsuccessful candidates would be able to file their protests/appeals between Tuesday, 24th July and Thursday, 26th July, while the same will be heard on Friday, 27th July and Saturday, 28th July.

    The final list of candidates for the elections will be made public on Monday, 30th July 2018, with the elections to hold on Saturday, 29th September 2018. This, according to Barrister Katu, would be subject to approval by the Congress of Nigeria Football Federation and any amendments to the NFF Statutes 2010, in view of the NFF Bill that is in process.

    The members of the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Electoral Appeals Committee for the forthcoming elections were elected at the NFF General Assembly that held in Jos, Plateau State on Thursday, 19th October 2017. It was at one of its recent meetings that the electoral panel elected Barrister Mohammed Sani Katu as its chairman.

  • Ebola: Nigeria, DR Congo friendly match not under threat — NFF

    Nigeria’s friendly match against the DR Congo is not under threat in spite of the Ebola outbreak in the country, the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi has said

    Akinwumi told newsmen on Monday in Lagos that necessary precautionary measures had been put in place to forestall transmission of the deadly disease into Nigeria.

    Our reporter confirmed that the football governing body had lined up some friendly matches as build up to the Super Eagles participation in the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    In the friendly matches, the Super Eagles are expected to play DR Congo on May 28, in Port Harcourt before the warm-up game against the Three Lions of England on June 2 at Wembley Stadium.

    Before the DR Congo match, the three-time African champions had defeated the national team of Argentina 4-2 in the battle of Krasnodar, Russia, then beat Poland 1-0 at the Municipal Stadium, Wrockaw, Poland.

    The Gernot Rohr boys however lost to the national team of Serbia 0-2 at the Hive Stadium, England.

    Read Also: Ebola: Centre for disease control issues guidelines

    The third friendly match for the Eagles against the Diables Rouges (Red Devils) of Congo has been a speculation for cancellation due to the deadly Ebola disease outbreak in the country.

    The fears of many football enthusiasts was however allayed by NFF as Akinwumi said there was no need to panic over the friendly match saying that adequate measure had been put in place to forestall transmission of the disease into Nigeria.

    “We will not jeopardise the health of Nigerians, we have notified the DR Congo Football Federation, while both presidents have met at the CAF committee and finalised issues.

    “Beyond that, we have written to the Ministry of Health to have all those coming to Nigeria tested. However, most of the Dr Congo players for the match are foreign-based.

    “To assure Nigerians, we will not risk anything for the match, there should be no fear at all.

    “We are 100 per cent sure that everyone coming for the match will be subjected to test in Congo before coming and Nigeria before they go out,’’ he said.

    Akinwumi said that the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo did not affect the whole country but some villages and that would not stop the federation from doing the needful.

    “We are told that the news of Ebola outbreak in DR Congo happened in the remote village and not in the whole country, but we are also cautious about the health of Nigerians.

    “We want the best for the national team in terms of preparation and prosecution of the World Cup proper. The fund raising we are planning for the team is a bonus too,’’ he said.

    Reports have it that the Super Eagles are expected to fly out to their camp in Austria on June 3 from London.

    They are to play another final friendly against the Czech Republic on June 6 in Austria.

    NAN

     

  • NFF chieftains know fate today

    The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgement on the leadership crisis which has engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday.

    Chris Giwa and his board had dragged the FIFA-recognised Amaju Pinnick-led board to the Supreme Court, to set aside the verdict of the Appeal Court after he won won at the High Court, claiming that the mandate given to him by the Congress of the NFF in August 2013 was sacrosanct.

    He also insists that the election in Warri that brought in the Amaju group was held in defiance of a High Court order.

    But the defendants have held onto the FIFA statutes in arguing their case, praying the Supreme Court in their submission that football matters must not be adjudicated in the ordinary court. They also insist the plaintiffs had been banned by the world football governing body.

    The Supreme Court will decide on Thursday, whether to uphold the verdict of Justice Joseph Tur of the Appeal Court in his judgment in 2016 when he held that the discontinuation of the cases on October 30, 2014, which was affirmed by the court, stood.

  • Super Eagles ready for England friendly – Mikel

    Midfielder Mikel Obi says the Super Eagles will be at their best for the prestige international friendly match against England at Wembley Stadium in London on June 2.

    “There will be no option for us other than to give our best with the FIFA World Cup fast approaching.

    “The match comes up only two weeks before our first match at the FIFA World Cup.

    “It will be a big occasion and a big match for both teams as we both look forward to our respective first matches in Russia.

    “England is a special place for me, having spent so many years playing there, and it is one country I love to go to,’’ Mikel was quoted as saying on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) website on Tuesday.

    The former Chelsea FC player said Super Eagles were already talking to themselves and everyone of them was looking forward to the game.

    Reports have it that Nigeria take on Croatia in their first match at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals at the Kaliningrad Stadium on June 16.

    In their other Group D matches, they will then face Iceland at Volgograd on June 22, and Argentina at Saint Petersburg on June 26.

    On the other hand, England will play their first match in Group G against Tunisia at Volgograd on June 18.

    Thereafter, they will face Panama at Nizhny Novgorod on June 24, and Belgium at Kaliningrad on June 28.

    Meanwhile, tickets for the England/Nigeria match are still selling, with the lowest ticket going for 35 pounds.

    NAN

  • Lawmaker provides succor to victim of herdsmen attack

    The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, has provided financial support to Mrs. Patricia Toweh, who was victim of Fulani herdsmen attacked.

    Mrs. Toweh aged 52 and her daughter, Hannah aged 18 were attacked at their farms at Ofumwengbe village in Ovia South West local government area for daring to report destruction of her farm by herdsmen to the police.

    She was inflicted injuries with machete on her forehead and left ear while her daughter was injured in her right hand.

    Omosede provided the financial support when she took a tour of projects she attracted to different communities in her constituency.

    She urged Mrs. Toweh to make judicious use of the money and pledged to continue to pursue policies that would check herdsmen attacks.

    The lawmaker also inspected solar street light at Ofumwengbe village and distribute books and sandals to some schools.

    She promised to use her foundation to boost education for children in her constituency as well as boost health care delivery.

    Mrs. Toweh who expressed joy at the gesture said she has been scared of going to farm since her crops were destroyed.

    She narrated how she has been looking for funds to help her start a business  since her farm was destroyed.

     

     

  • “Road to Russia”, Geo travels partners NFF

    “Road to Russia”, Geo travels partners NFF

    Geo travels and Tours has announced its partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF for the FIFA 2018 world cup finals in Russia.

    The country Director, Geo Travels and Tours, Mr Alex Ekeoma announced this at a media conference tagged “Road to Russia” in Lagos on Monday where the partnership with NFF was unveiled.

    The event aimed at sensitising the public on the opportunities of travelling to Russia to support the Super Eagles in the three group matches and beyond.

    Unveiling the partnership package, the NFF Vice chairman, Alhaji Shehu Dikko who represented the chairman, Amaju Pinnick sought the support of Nigerians in realising the objectives of the Russia 2018 Super Eagles campaign which is, seeing the Super Eagles go beyond the group stages of the mondial.

    Ekeoma said, Geo Travels and Tours in its commitment to redefining travel will present packages that all football-loving Nigerians and supporters could choose from to make it to the world cup with packages, starting from as low as N500,00.

    He further added “Nigerians will also have the option of choosing from a number of our customized packages that gives them the flexibility of choosing from the first, second and third, or all the three games.”

    Still on the package, the Head of Business, Geo Travels and Tours, Damilola Osikoya, said the synergy with NFF is the company’s own way of making travelling to the World Cup as easy as a phone call.

    “Geo Travels and Tours aligning with NFF is our own way of making travelling to the World cup as easy as a mere phone call”.

    Miss Osikoya continued that Geo Travels and Tours will also adopt a flexible payment plan for Nigerians wishing to book now and pay on a later date.

    In another arm of the Travel and Tours package, Geo travels and Tours in partnership with Crenov 8, a leading management and Digital Consulting firm, will also be hosting two major events in 2018. This include the Geo celebrity crush Faster Dubai Tour in the first quarter of this year.

    According to Mr Daniel Jones, a management staff of the company, the celebrity Tour will come up from the 30th of March-April 4th, 2018. This event is geared towards connecting fans of Nigerian music, and culture in an affordable package with the rest of the World.

    “Later in the year”, he said, “We shall also be hosting meet the farmers conference in November. It is an annual conference focused on agriculture, which aims to connect large scale agro commodity producers to buyers alike.

    Geo Travels and Tours is an Independent subsidiary of the Nepal Group, a leading downstream oil and Gas trading company in Nigeria. Geo travels and Tours is a leading travel company with more than two decades of experience in inbound and outbound travels. Over the last two years, the company had experienced significant growth. It offers services in visa assistance, flight bookings, Hotel bookings and tourism.

    “Our team of dedicated professionals offers the best service available to make travelling experience memorable”, he said.

    Mr Jeffrey Ikepeze, the business Development manager, added that the company believe it’s the job of a travelling agency to not only offer its customers the most enjoyable trips possible, but also give them a travel experience where their personal comfort is enhanced and their needs are met in a manner that is most convenient to them in a speedy and cost-efficient package, hence this media conference.

    Dignitaries at the occasion were: NFF Vice Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, NFF Board Member, Alhaji Musa Nuhu, Alhaji Ahmed “Fresh” Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, chairman , Managing Director, Nepal oil and Gas, Barrister Ngozi Ekeoma, Director, Geo Travels and Tours, Mr Alex Ekeoma, CEO, Payport, Mr Bassey Eyo, CEO, Instance Group, Mr Ubi Frankline, Chairman Nigerian Supporters Club, Mr Femi Okumagba, Head, Sales KLM, Ikeobasi Akpan, Chairman, Plateau State NFA , Mr Yahaya Kwande, Business Development Head, Crenov 8, Mr Ajodo Gbemishola and a host of other dignitaries.

  • FIFA 2018 W/C: Rohr did not reject friendly games says NFF President

    FIFA 2018 W/C: Rohr did not reject friendly games says NFF President

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick on Monday said that the allegation that the Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr rejected friendly games with Chile and Morocco was false.
    Our Reporters recalls that speculations were rife that the Super Eagles Technical Adviser cum Manager refused to accept friendly games for the team from Chile and Morocco.
    The NFF President told Newsmen in a chat in Lagos that the decision of the coach on friendly games for the team was agreed on based on tactical and technical reasons and that the team had already sealed the friendly games it would play.
    “Most countries are playing three games before the world cup but the super eagles are playing five and care must be taken not to tire out the players before the world cup kicks off.
    “We are taking on Poland and Serbia on March 23 and 27 respectively, Congo on May 28, England on June 2 and Czech Republic on June 6.

    Read Also: NFF ensuring coaches succeed — Sanusi

    “There are so many considerations before a team can take on friendly matches. The NFF did not interfere and will not interfere in issues of selections and matches by the coach.
    “The coach wanted a typical African traditional style of pay. Morocco and Chile has never been in the picture for the friendly games ‘’ he added.
    On the appointment of new coaches by the NFF, Pinnick said that the federation followed due diligence and that the coaches were appointed based on antecedents and not sentiments.
    “I am particularly impressed with the present administration for not interfering in the decisions of the NFF. It is commendable and it enables the federation to ensure that the best hands are picked without influence.
    “Nigeria is having global recognition again in sports and we want to ensure that by 2022, Nigeria will have the best football team in the World.
    “We have plans to build football houses across the federation for trainings. There will be two standard pitches in each state to catch them young and restore the 1994 glory to Nigeria’’ he further said.
    With the NFF new tenure approaching, Picnnick however declined comments on a second term bid.
    The next NFF election is billed for Sept. 30, 2017.

    NAN

  • Revealed! How NFF Plan to Spend N2.2Billion Breweries Deal

    Revealed! How NFF Plan to Spend N2.2Billion Breweries Deal

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday revealed the worth of the fresh sponsorship deal it secured from the Nigeria Breweries to fund National Leagues and the Super Eagles’ at 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    President of the federation, Amaju Pinnick who spoke with newsmen at the Public Declaration of the sponsorship deal in Lagos valued the deal which will last for 5 years at N2.2Billion.

    He explained that the deal which has a legal backing to protect all parties involved takes effect from January 1st, 2018 and elapse in 2022 as reflected in the signed agreement.

    In what areas will NFF channel the funds secured from the Nigeria Breweries in the bid to grow football in the country?

    Amaju Pinnick replied, “…we have the head of the strategy committee, I can assure you that the strategy committee will look at it critically and advise the executive committee hopefully on what we want to do with the funds.”

    But, he added, “Right now we have a lot of requirements, we have the foreign coaches we just employed, we have some other backroom staff we are also employing, we intend to make all our teams very professional, we might need some help there, but everything that we are doing will be thrown to the public without anything to hide.”

    The NFF has lately attracted a lot of corporate goodwill on the back of the Super Eagles’ qualification for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, but Pinnick explained that the governing house settled for the Nigeria breweries deal because of its “sincerity to sustain the sponsorship deal beyond the June 2018 World Cup.”

    According to the Managing Director, Nigeria Breweries, Jordi Borrut Bel who confirmed that Star Lager and Amstel Malta are the official beverages for the national teams including the Super Eagles, revealed that the initial contract which is for a period of five years has a renewal option and an agreed annual remuneration scheme.

    He added that, “We strongly hope the Super Eagles will fly high at the 2018 World Cup and go far to make the continent proud. I will like to add that whatever is the outcome of the Super Eagles in Russia, it will not affect this partnership, this deal has been sealed and we are responsible to fulfill our part for Nigeria.”

    Some of the ex-international who witnessed the ceremony at the corporate head office of the Nigeria Breweries include but not limited to; Daniel Amokachi, Peter Rufai, Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia and Augustine Eguaveon,

    Some of the federation officials at the occasion were; NFF Assistant President, Shehu Dikko and Seyi Akinwunmi.

    The Nigeria senior national team turned super bride following their qualification for the world Mundial where they will face Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in the group stage.

    Further details of the deal, sealed at the company’s premises at Iganmu to follow later.

  • NFF ensuring coaches succeed — Sanusi

    NFF ensuring coaches succeed — Sanusi

    Mohammed Sanusi, General-Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Friday in Abuja said the federation was committed to creating an enabling platform for coaches to succeed.

    Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the success of coaches and football administrators were the priority of the federation.

    He said that Nigeria’s football development could not be realised without the important role of coaches.

    The scribe explained that the federation would not relent in promoting excellence in the handling of players.

    “A coach’s role has a lot to do in the skill development of individual players and a team collectively.

    “So, we are doing our best in giving coaches chances to improve and succeed which by extension impact on our football,’’ he said.

    Sanusi, who urged Nigerian coaches to tap into the opportunities created by the federation, called for more support for Super Eagles’ coaches.

    He said that the federation was determined to see that the Eagles excel in Russia.

    According to him, we are not leaving anything behind to support our coaches.

    The scribe expressed confidence in the Eagles, saying that both the coaching crew and players were in form.

    He said the federation was optimistic that the team would come out stronger after the series of quality friendlies before the World Cup.

    NAN reports that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be playing friendlies against Poland on March 23 and England on June 2.