Tag: The Nigeria Football Federation

The Nigeria Football Federation  has held its 2024 match commissioners’ seminar (northern conference) at the Asaa Pyramids Hotel, Kaduna.

Chairman of NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli disclosed to thenff.com that the Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, represented the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and declared the programme open yesterday.

 Professor A. A. Musa Garba, of the Department of Sports Management, Bayero University, Kano was the resource person for the one-day event.

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Secretary of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, Danlami Alanana said that the objective of the seminar was to re-acquaint the match commissioners in the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) and the Nationwide League One (NLO) with both the rudiments and the fine points of match reporting, and to also emphasize the high importance of credible match reporting, as organizers always rely on their match reports to take decisions in case of crises or controversies.

Last year’s northern conference seminar took place in the city of Kano, while this year’s southern conference seminar was staged in Asaba, Delta State.

The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with the family of veteran journalist, Dapo Sotuminu, who died in Lagos yesterday  morning after a brief illness.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said: “This is really shocking. I have known Dapo for more than two decades and have always been impressed with his zest for thoroughness and of course, his passion for women’s football from the beginning of the game in Nigeria.

 “Words are not enough to describe his stature as a professional and someone who showed immense respect and regard to fellow professionals and other human beings. We pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant his family, friends and the sports-writing fraternity the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of  the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN), Debo Oshundun, said  Sotuminu’s tragic loss would leave indelible mark on  the association.

He said: “This is a loss that strikes the heart of the association and serves as a painful reminder of the toll taken on the journalism and sports community. Sotuminu’s untimely departure is a case of one too many as we battle with the death of another member, Adeyinka Adebayo. This will surely leave an indelible mark on Lagos SWAN and its members.”

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Oshundun described him as a consummate professional and passionate journalist  who was always ready to stand out and be counted when called.

Reports said the dedicated and resilient journalist gave up the ghost at the hospital to which he was rushed after he suddenly fell ill at home.

Sotuminu, a sapient and prolific professional for the several decades he was in the trade, worked at, among other media houses, TNT Newspapers (Deputy Sports Editor), New Telegraph Newspapers (Deputy Sports Editor) and Compass Newspapers (Sports Editor).

Oshundun  further affirmed that beyond Sotuminu’s professional achievements, he was also a visionary who championed grassroots sports development through the Victor Ikpeba 5-Aside Tournament and as the Director General for Sports at the Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos.

The Lagos SWAN family extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues left behind, as his legacy in sports journalism and sports development will never be forgotten.