President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on Monday evening seized the opportunity to further salute President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to motivating and encouraging Nigeria’s living sports heroes and never forgetting to pay homage to those who have passed on.

“Mr. President has taken the bull by the horns to abolish the era when the nation’s sports heroes laboured in vain. Their sweat is now well-rewarded as deserved.

“I take cues from the honours and gifts handed to the Super Eagles when they finished as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations last year, and to the Super Falcons who just returned from winning the Women’s AFCON in Morocco.

“Our heroes deserve all the recognition, appreciation and celebration that we can give them, whether they are alive or dead. That is the culture that we should birth and nurture,” Gusau said at the Night of Tributes organised for Nigeria’s sports icons at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos on Monday night.

The event, which was put together by Air Peace airline (whose chairman, Allen Onyema, has continued to show interest in the well-being of former Nigerian sports heroes) and former Nigeria captain Olusegun Odegbami (a relentless advocate of the recognition and proper appreciation of the nation’s sporting icons), paid tributes to former Nigeria captains ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu and Peter Rufai, former internationals Charles Bassey and Moses Effiong, and boxing champion Obisia Nwakpa, who all passed on within the past few months.

“People talk about the neglect of our sporting heroes, but we can see that President Tinubu is changing the narrative. When the Eagles won silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early last year, Mr. President rewarded the team handsomely. 

“We can all see what he has done for the Super Falcons for winning the WAFCON in Morocco,” Gusau said, in a speech read on his behalf by a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, George Aluo.

The NFF boss was also full of praise for the trio of Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema, Olusegun Odegbami and the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae, for putting together the Night of Tributes for the departed legends.

“I salute all those who have deemed it fit to honour ‘Chairman’ Chukwu and the other legends. These legends did Nigeria proud in their different lifetimes. They were warriors. They defended our colours, inspired our youth and lifted our spirits. We will never forget their amazing contributions to Nigerian football.”

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A Nigerian real estate firm, Jedo Investment Company Ltd, has rewarded Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman with plots of land in Abuja in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigerian football.

The gifted plots, each measuring 400 square metres, are located within the Jedo Mega Estate in Ushafa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a letter signed by the company’s General Manager for Human and Business Relations, Anthony Onwuma, Jedo Investment expressed admiration for Nnadozie’s heroics at the just-concluded 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria reclaimed the continental crown.

“Your efforts not only helped secure the championship but also served as a shining example of dedication and excellence for millions of Nigerians and football lovers around the world,” the company wrote in its commendation to Nnadozie, who was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and retained her title as Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

Lookman, whose exploits with the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and stellar form with Serie A side Atalanta earned him the CAF African Player of the Year award, was also praised by the company for his consistency and professionalism.

“Your outstanding performance, resilience, and excellence on the pitch have not only brought immense pride to Nigeria but have also cemented your position as one of the finest in the world today,” Jedo stated.

 “Your achievement is a testament to hard work, discipline, and an unyielding commitment to excellence—values that resonate deeply with our brand.”

As a further show of appreciation, both Nnadozie and Lookman have been appointed Brand Ambassadors for Jedo Investment Company Ltd.

Nnadozie’s international profile continues to rise, with her impressive performances in Europe over the past three seasons reinforcing her reputation as one of the best shot-stoppers in women’s football.

Lookman, meanwhile, has become a symbol of elite-level Nigerian footballers excelling on the global stage.

The gesture by Jedo Investment underscores a growing trend of corporate recognition for athletes making Nigeria proud on the international scene.

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BY JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, OWERRI

Preparations for the maiden edition of the Artisan Football Competition in Owerri officially got underway on Tuesday with the conduct of match draws at the Old Township Stadium, where the tournament is also set to kick off on July 27, 2025.

The opening fixture will see Motor Dealers Association take on Naze Ogboosisi, as part of the kickoff ceremonies for what promises to be an exciting grassroots football spectacle involving skilled workers and traders across Imo State.

A total of 18 teams representing various artisan and trade associations from different parts of the state will participate in the tournament, which is powered by the Imo State Sports Commission under the leadership of its Chairman, Eliezer Ohbonna.

The General Coordinator of the competition and Vice President of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YUSFON), Ndubuisi Opara, confirmed that logistics and preparations are on course.

He revealed that the sponsor of the tournament has already provided four sets of jerseys to be used by the teams that qualify for the semi-finals.

According to Opara, the tournament will adopt a group-stage format with two groups—Group A and Group B—from which top teams will advance to the semi-finals. The entire competition will span 14 days.

The ultimate winner of the competition will take home a cash prize of ₦1 million, in addition to bragging rights as the best artisan football team in the state.

Groupings:

Group A:

• Motor Dealers Association
• Naze Ogboosisi
• Sand Dealers Association
• Akpakara Association
• Ekeukwu Owerri Association
• Block Industry Association
• Welders Association
• New Market Assignment
• Relief Market Association

Group B:

• Tomber Market Association, Mbieri
• Tyre Dealers Association
• Vulcanizers Association
• Old Market Lane
• Avu Mechanic Village
• Aluminium Association
• Building Materials Association
• POP Workers
• Barrow Association

The Artisan Football Competition is designed to foster unity, promote fitness, and create bonding among skilled workers while discovering hidden football talents within the artisan community. Organisers have promised a festival of football, colour, and culture as the competition unfolds.

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