Sports
Committee Clears Seven, Others For NFF Elections
Seven persons have been
cleared to vie for the Presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) tomorrow in Warri, Delta State.
The candidates gunning for the NFF Presidency are Ogunjobi Taiwo Joseph (Osun State), Yola Abba Abdullahi (Kano State), Mike Umeh (Anambra State), Pinnick Amaju Melvin (Delta State), Iorfa Mtem Dominic (Benue State), Shehu Dikko (Kaduna State) and Amanze U. Uchegbulam (Imo State).
According to a statement from the electoral committee, four candidates were listed for the 1st Vice-president position of the NFF.
They are Suleyman Muazu of Sokoto State, Inyama Emeka (Abia State), Adamu Shehu (Kaduna State) and Seyi Akinwunmi (Lagos State).
Musa Gusau Ibrahim (Zamfara) is the only candidate for the Chairman of Chairmen position.
For the ordinary membership of the board representing the six geopolitical zones of the country, there appears to be no consensus among the candidates from the regions as most of the candidates have entered the fray to test their popularity among the 44 membership of the NFF General Assembly.
From the North Central, four candidates are battling for the sole ticket for the zone. They include; Agara Silas (Nasarawa State), Suleiman Yahaya Kwande (Plateau State), Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh) (Niger State) and Bewarang Bitrus Yigol (Plateau State).
For the North East ticket, it is going to be battle royal between the five candidates that includes; Yahuza Adamu Haruna (Bauchi State), Abiso Alhaji Bashir (Bornu State), Modibbo Hussaini A. (Taraba State), Kachalla Baba Gana Kalli (Borno State) and Zira Emmanuel Stephen (Adamawa State).
The North West zone ticket is a three-horse race between Sharu Rabiu Inuwa (Kano State), Balele Aminu (Katsina State) and Babangida M. Tukur (Kano State).
The South East fight to get to the board pitches incumbent, Agwu Felix Anyasi (Abia State) with three others – Obikwelu Jude Benjamin Chukwudi (Anambra State), Okenna Chidi Ofo (Enugu State) and Igbokwe Leonard Ikechukwu (Anambra State).
Chairman of the NFF technical committee, Chris Green, has three others to battle in his bid to return to the Glass House in Abuja where he wielded so much influence.
Those bidding to upstage the Rivers man include Tenebe Jarrett Celestine (Edo State) and Oswald Atuake (Cross River State). The only addition to the race is Chairman of Edo FA, Abel Ehigie.
Like Green, Ayodeji Tinubu (Lagos) has three other candidates from the South West zone to battle in his bid for another term at the NFF board. Those also gunning for the ticket are Adepoju Emmanuel Olaleye (Oyo State), Sunday Dele Ajayi (Ondo State), and Majekodunmi G.A. Adesina.
The committee also listed Chris Giwa from the North Central Zone (Plateau State) and Segun Odegbami South West Zone (Ogun) as two previously cleared presidential candidates who have failed to show interest in participating in tomorrow’s elections.
Others who were also cleared but have failed to show interest include Yahaya Adama – North Central (Kogi State), Farouk Yarma Adamu – North East Zone (Gombe State), Shema Mohammed Sani – North East Zone (Yobe State), Obinna J. Ogba – South East Zone (Ebonyi State), Johnson Etim Effiong – South-South Zone (Akwa Ibom State) and Obuah Felix Amaechi – South-South Zone (Rivers State).
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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