Nigerian Football

NFF GETS OFFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES PROVIDER

Published

6 years ago

January 21, 2018

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced WAPIC Insurance as its insurance services provider.

According to a media release, NFF on Friday in Lagos signed an agreement that conferred on the insurance company, the title of ‘Official Insurance Services Provider and Co-Sponsor of the NFF.’

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick expressed his delight and that of the federation with the contract, “which now provides excellent safety and security for our active national team players and officials while on duty and offers a well –paved route for them to have a better future through proper pension fund.

“WAPIC, like the present NFF, is an organization driven by positive vision. WAPIC aims to emerge as a top two full service West African insurance company while the NFF, through its Goal Project, wants to build mini-secretariats and football fields in all States and the FCT and build a sustainable football culture in the country. It is a union of two companies with positive energy.”

Managing Director of WAPIC Insurance PLC, Mrs Yinka Adekoya, affirmed that the company was excited to team up with Nigerian Football, given the huge role that football plays in nation –building and the excitement that it generates among the youth and adults alike.

“The NFF is an organization that is making Nigeria proud through the excellent results of the national teams and WAPIC is a top financial institution seeking to be the most enjoyable company to do business with and to become a top 20 financial services institution in Nigeria by 2019.”

NFF’s 2^nd Vice President/Chairman of Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee, Shehu Dikko, explained that the contract is for five years in the initial with an option of renewal, and will cost the insurance outfit close to N100 million every year.

“This agreement gives us tremendous peace of mind as it provides insurance cover for all the national teams, our assets and events. WAPIC will in turn have access to all our matches and events.

“We are also very happy that Sen Force Insurance Brokers are involved in this, and will advise us on the best insurance cover and properties to take for our teams, assets and events and will write for our claims whenever there is the need.

“We also want to explore the important area of pension fund for our players and valuable advice to them on the packages best for them.”

WAPIC Insurance PLC offers a diverse range of products and services covering life, general and special risk businesses. It was founded in 1958 and licensed to underwrite all classes of insurance risks, and was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in 1990.

Chairman of Sen Force, Anirejuoritse Ojuyah assured that his company will broker what is best for Nigerian Football throughout the life of the contract, while NFF 1^st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi pledged that the Federation will abide by every letter of the agreement.

Also present at the signing were Chairman of WAPIC Insurance PLC, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Bode Ojeniyi (Executive Director, WAPIC), Aisha Falode (Member, NFF Executive Committee), Olufemi Obaleke (Executive Director, WAPIC), Dere Otubu, Peter Ehinmen (Chief Risk Officer, WAPIC), Mr. Patrick Osadebe (Head, Retail Division), Miss Aina Akintonde (Head, Service and Fulfilment), Sunny Ogbemudia (Chief Internal Auditor), Ademola Olajire (NFF Director of Communications) and Colin Udoh (Member, NFF Marketing, Sponsorship and TV Rights Committee).

The agreement came only 48 hours after beverage company, Coca-Cola signed up as ‘Official Soft Drink and Co-Sponsor of the Nigeria National Teams,’ and Shehu Dikko, who is also NFF’s Strategy Committee head, confirmed to thenff.com that more partnership agreements are on the way in the coming weeks.

Nigerian Football

Rivers fail to find their course

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY MITCHEL OBI

It is over and another defeat for the Pride of Rivers on the road, going down to a 67th minute goal by Sunshine Stars Yusuf.

It was a goal the boys from Akure desperately needed to ease off the breeze from the relegation waters.

And now they can smile, sharing the same 39 points with Bayelsa United and hoping to go clear when the full league resumes on May 25, the international day of football as declared by the United Nations.

Rivers United can now settle for their next rescheduled match against Abia Warriors on Wednesday May 15 before returning home to face stubborn Niger Tornadoes May 18. Indeed, it has been a miserable southwest run for Rivers Utd, picking only a point in three games and fluffing away the opportunity to challenge effectively for another continental ticket this season. Consolation may come in their chase for the President Federation Cup in which they have a contend again with the same Niger Tornadoes in the round of 32. That game happening on May 22 will see foot faithfuls in Auchi coming out in their numbers to watch two premier league clubs after almost a decade.

The Sunshine Stars versus Rivers United game in Akure was live on StarTimes, committed to broadcast all the rescheduled premier league games this month and continue their four match weekly schedule when the league fully returns.

Nigerian Football

NFF commiserates as former Super Eagles right winger, Babangida is hit with another tragedy

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Gusau (fourth from left), Magaji (third from right), Sanusi (third from right) and Eguavoen (left) during the visit to bereaved Tijani Babangida (middle) at the hospital on Sunday.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Executive Committee member Timothy Heman Magaji and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on Sunday paid a condolence visit to former Nigeria international forward and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, who was involved in a ghastly auto crash along the Kaduna – Zaria Road on Thursday.

The unfortunate crash claimed the life of Tijani’s younger brother, Ibrahim – a member of the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup -winning Golden Eaglets, on the spot. Tijani’s infant son, Fadil reportedly passed on Friday night during surgery, while his wife, Maryam is said to have successfully undergone facial surgery.

In the delegation also were NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Member of the NPFL Board, Jude Anyadufu; former Nigeria international and Chairman, Bauchi State Football Association, Pascal Patrick; former Nigeria international goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro; former Nigeria international, Austin Popo; prominent football stakeholder, Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria international and special assistant to NFF President, Mallam Nasiru Jibril.

The delegation met Tijani Babangida at a hospital in Abuja to which he was transferred from ABUTH, and commiserated with the former World Cup star on the deaths of his brother and son, while praying for quick recovery for himself and his dear wife, who is still under intensive care at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Nigerian Football

Flying Eagles 1983 set awards full scholarship to son of their skipper, Late Ali Jeje

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ali Jeje, first from left in the Flying Eagles at the 1983 World Youth Tournament in Mexico.

In a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of their late captain, Ali Jeje, the 1983 set of the Nigeria.

In a signed statement, vice captain of the team, Paul Okoku recalled the late Ali Jeje’s leadership was the cornerstone of the Flying Eagles’ journey to become the first Nigerian team to the FIFA under 20 World Cup, in Mexico.

According to Okoku, who resides with his family in USA, “1983 was the first time a Nigerian flag was raised and flown on the world football stage, in admiration of the world gathering for a pride of a nation, the players were the pride of the nation, Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“The raising of the Nigerian flag was a proud moment, symbolizing the nation’s admiration for its players who embodied the pride of Nigeria”, added Paul Okoku, who pointed out that “despite facing significant adversities, Ali Jeje’s unwavering dedication to the team and the sport left an indelible mark on the annals of Nigerian football history”.

Okoku noted that in recognition of the late Ali Jeje’s unparalleled contributions and the enduring legacy he left behind, the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, has resolved to support Abdul Rahman’s educational aspirations through a scholarship.

“Furthermore, on behalf of the Esteemed Solidarity Flying Eagles Team, 1983 set, and as the vice captain of the history-making squad, I salute you, my fellow teammates, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our team members who generously supported this initiative financially and in kind who deserve our genuine appreciation for their integral role in the scholarship scheme:

“Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Otti Amaechi, Paul Okoku, Femi Olukanni, Segun Olukanni, Dehinde Akinlotan, Taju Disu, Dahiru Sadi, Tarila Okorowanta, Manu Garba, Alphonsus Akhahon, Sunday Edema Benson, Yemi Adebanjo, Samson Siasia, Patrick Udoh, Muyiwa Manny Motajo, Humphrey Edobor, Bright Benson, Wahab Adesina, Wilfred Agbonabare, Christopher Anigala, Yisa Sofoluwe, Raymond King, Mike Igbeka and Tarfa Kpako”.

Reflecting on the profound impact of this initiative, Paul Okoku expressed deep gratitude to his former teammates for their unwavering support and commitment, stressing that ” our collective action exemplified the essence of true teamwork and underscored the power of unity in honoring the cherished memory of our beloved Captain, Ali Jeje.

Abdul Rahman Jeje’s heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to further his education serves as a poignant testament to the transformative impact of this scholarship on his future. With profound humility, he extends his heartfelt gratitude to the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, for illuminating the path to a brighter future and honoring his father’s enduring legacy.

“Incidentally that was also the first FIFA tournament attended by a Nigerian national team, when the Flying Eagles qualified after beating Guinea over two legs and he was the centre referee in the Group B match between Poland and the United States in Pueblo as well as the game between Brazil and Holland at the Jalisco Stadium, Guadalajara.”

“At the tournament, two other African referees – Bernard Grah of Cote D’Ivoire and Mohammed Larache of Morocco – were sent home after the Group games while Okubule was among the 12 retained to proceed with the remaining matches.

“As the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, continue to honor our illustrious legacy and invest in the next generation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Abdul Rahman’s educational journey”