By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the immediate resignation of the current leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying Nigerian football can no longer afford the continued dominance of politicians and opportunists in football administration.

HURIWA in a atatement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said the time has come for fresh, competent and experienced football professionals to take charge of the nation’s football and rescue the game from years of poor leadership, corruption and political interference.

The association particularly called for an NFF leadership structure that gives prominent former professional footballers and respected football administrators a central role.
HURIWA cited personalities such as Michael Emenalo, former technical adviser of Chelsea FC; Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, former Super Eagles captain; Segun Odegbami, former Green Eagles captain; and Ahmed Musa, former Super Eagles captain, among other respected football professionals.
The association urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to declare a state of emergency in Nigerian football and work with FIFA to establish a credible framework that ensures only tested, trusted and competent football professionals are allowed to play leading roles in the administration of Nigerian football.
HURIWA said Nigeria’s football crisis is now too serious to be treated as business as usual.
The failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for two successive World Cups, alongside Nigeria’s expected absence from the 2027 Women’s World Cup, according to the association, shows that Nigerian football is facing an existential crisis.
“This is no longer just about missing football tournaments. It is about the gradual destruction of a national institution that has given Nigerians pride, unity and happiness for generations,” HURIWA said.
The association said the recent intervention by former Super Eagles captain Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, who called for fresh thinking and a new structure in Nigerian football, should be taken seriously by the government and all stakeholders.
HURIWA noted that previous attempts at reform have produced recommendations that were either ignored or poorly implemented.
It therefore warned that merely setting up another committee or normalisation arrangement without changing the fundamental structure of football administration would amount to another waste of time.
HURIWA called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support the widespread demand for comprehensive reforms in the NFF and ensure that football administration is placed in the hands of people with the competence, experience and integrity to develop the game.
The association also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of football resources and the implementation of policies that will develop grassroots football, strengthen the national teams and restore Nigeria’s place among the world’s leading football nations.
HURIWA said politicians have no business controlling the technical direction of Nigerian football when the country has produced world-class footballers and administrators capable of providing better leadership.
We cannot continue to put the future of Nigerian football in the hands of people who have little or no professional football experience. Nigeria has the talents, the resources and the football history. What is missing is competent and accountable leadership.
The current NFF leadership should honourably resign and allow fresh minds to take over. This is not a witch-hunt. It is a demand for accountability and a desperate call to save Nigerian football from extinction.”
HURIWA urged former internationals, coaches, players, football administrators, supporters and all Nigerians to join the campaign for fundamental reforms in Nigerian football.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa State Chief Baraladei Daniel has lauded the state chess team and described the team as astute.

The Commissioner made the statement on Tuesday in his office while receiving them on behalf of the State Governor Senator Douye Diri.

The team comprising of leader of delegation Coach Bomo Kigigha,14 year old prodigy Goodness Ekunike, as well as others, were in the Commissioner ‘s office to present the trophy won by a member of the team master Ekunike to the Commissioner following his outstanding performance at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz championship in Abuja.

Chief Igali noted that the achievement aligns with this administration’s mandate to project the state positively through sports.

The Commissioner stated that the Ministry and the Sports Council exists to ensure the world takes notice of what Bayelsa is today in sports.

Chief Igali acknowledged the initial challenges with approvals for the Abuja tournament, but assured that such bottlenecks would be addressed, especially with this heroic result of Ekunike.

Chief Igali stated that sports might have been the reason why some members of the team would have traveled out of Bayelsa State in the first time of their lives, hence the importance of sports.

Chief Igali stated that feat of the 14 year old was too great to be quite about, hence after the briefing of the Director of Sports to him on the matter he thought of a loud reception hence the huge invitation of members of the Press for adequate publicity.

Chief Igali assured of carrying the trophy to the State Deputy Governor, Pastor Peter Pereotubo Akpe, whom will in turn hand over to the Governor Senator Douye Diri.

Earlier the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Pereyi Efeke urged the team to even consolidate in their positive performance in future engagements.

In his remarks, the Director of Sports of the State Sports Council. Mr. Bibo Lambert stated that Goodness Ekunike, had shown flashes of brilliance and a hard nut to crack since from his tender age of 7, hence being a World Champion now at the age of 14 is not too much a surprise to him.

The Director stated that by the month of September 2026, some members of the team including Coach Bomo Kigigha, Goodness Ekunike and Deborah Quickpen will be representing the country at the chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan.

Also speaking Coach Bomo Kigigha said customs demands that after the team’s successful sojourn in Abuja, they formally come to present the won trophy to the Commissioner.

Some dignitaries in attendance included Mrs. Funke Ayah D.F.A of the Sports Development Ministry, Mr. Zikala Amgbari HOD Zones, Mr. Winifred Felegha HOD Coaching, Mr. Douye Asingbi HOD P.R.S., all of the Sports Council, amongst others.

By David Owei,Abuja
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‎Bayelsa United Feeders have been crowned champions of the Bayelsa United/Prosperity Cup pre-season tournament after one week of eye-catching football amongst 12 teams in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
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‎The tournament was aimed at discovering home-grown talents that would be integrated into Bayelsa United in the 2026/27 Nigeria National League, NNL season.
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‎Bayelsa United Feeders beat Ereme Jackson of Port-Harcourt 2-0 to emerge champions of the tournament having kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament. Godwin Kenus put the Feeders ahead from a well delivered cross on 15 minutes, while Bright Femowei added another goal on 64 minutes to make it 2-0.
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‎Speaking at the closing ceremony of the tournament, Commissioner for Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali said he was immensely impressed by the performance of both finalists, adding that the competition would give Bayelsa United a new direction ahead of the new season.
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‎According to him, all hands are on deck to ensure that Bayelsa United return immediately to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL which is why the governor appointed experienced personalities and coaches to drive the process of the return.
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‎”I have been immensely impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and a number of young people have impressed me from all the 12 teams that featured in the tournament. I think the job is left for the technical crew to make a decision on who is best fit to be part of either the main team or the feeder team” he stated.
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“‎Overall, I’m impressed, I hope the technical crew are able to do a good job and fish out the best players amongst them,” Igali maintained.
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‎In his remarks, Chairman of Bayelsa United Interim Board, Dr. Peter Singabele remarked that the essence of the tournament was to spot talents that would feature for Bayelsa United next season, maintaining that the board was committed to the team’s return to the NPFL at the end of the season.
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‎He explained that after the pre-season tournament the selected players from the competition would play against the old Bayelsa United players at 3 O’clock in the afternoon on Friday, 31st July, 2026 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
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‎”The truth is that we’ve been thoroughly entertained. The good thing is that we are on the move towards achieving our goal and that is to get some talented young Bayelsans that will eventually make the team”. Dr Singabele said.
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‎Also speaking, Bayelsa United Assistant Coach, Ngozi Elechi asserted that the exercise has exposed many talents in the State, stating that the competition reflects the government’s desire to see the return of the team to the NPFL .
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‎With the Nigeria National League, NNL commencing in September this year, Elechi believes that with the blend of experience and the new players, the technical crew would assemble a good team that would compete favourably in the league.