Ali Gaiya Salutes “Gallant Eagles”

The Chairman House Committee on sports Honorable Ali Gaiya has described the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Congo in the race to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2015, as commanding and commendable.

The Eagles needed to win by at least two-goal margin to have a chance of picking up one of the automatic tickets available in group A, but after a goalless first half at the Stade Municipal de Pointe-Noire, it looked as though it was not going to happen.

However, second half goals from one time Eagles outcast, Ikechukwu Uche and another from substitute Aaron Samuel, his second consecutive goal for the Eagles, were enough for Nigeria to secure the much needed 2-0 victory, as they moved closer to qualification for the 2015 African Cup of Nations on seven points.

Honourable Godfrey Gaiya , Chairman House Committee on Sports

“I congratulate Nigerians on this hard earned victory, especially coach Stephen Keshi who before now was under a lot of pressure to deliver. It was a victory that depicts the can-do-spirit of Nigerians.

I want to also warn that it is not yet over, they need to conclude the business by also beating South Africa in their last match in Akwa Ibom.

The Kaduna born legislator then called for prayers and support for the team and also enjoined the Eagles to build on their current form and go all out to clinch the AFCON 2015 ticket in style.
The Eagles need to win against already qualified South Africa at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday to guarantee a ticket to the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

NFA Act 2004.

Gaiya who is in line to return to the House of Representatives in 2015 as he braises up for election in his constituency of Jaba/Zangon Kafat, in Kaduna state, while speaking in Abuja also confirmed that the House of Reps will follow in the footsteps of the Senate by also passing a bill seeking to repeal the Nigeria Football Association Act 2004 and enact a fresh one to sanitise football administration in Nigeria.

“Definitely we will also pass the bill because we believe football needs to be liberated in the country. It will definitely be passed when we are back from recess.”

It will be recalled that the Senate on Thursday passed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Bill 2014 in a bid to bring an end to the incessant crisis rocking football administration in the country.

The Bill which repealed the Nigeria Football Association Act 2004 was passed after a clause-by-clause consideration by lawmakers.

Nigerian Sports Awards 2014: Fashola, Enyeama, Okagbare, Oshoala Shine

Nigerian Sports Awards

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Africa’s fastest woman and Commonwealth gold medalist Blessing Okagbare, Super Falcon striker and Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the just concluded African women Championship (AWC) Asisat Oshoala and Nigeria Table Tennis sensation, Aruna Quadri were among the winners at the 2014 edition of the Nigerians Sports Awards which was held on Thursday.

The event which was held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos was well attended by dignitaries from the Nigerian sports circle made up of ex-internationals, sports administrators, the media as well as personalities drawn from the corporate world.

Vincent Enyeama and Blessing Okagbare won two awards on the night. Vincent Enyeama won the Footballer of the Year and Sportsman of the Year awards while Okagbare carted home the Track and Field Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year categories.

L-R. Sports Legends, Dr. Awoture Elayea, Dr George Ogan and Pa KAB Olowu and Modupe Oshikoya during the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2014 Nigerian Sports Award held in Lagos on Thursday

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the award panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo described the third edition of the award as a significant milestone not only for the organisers of the award but for the country as a whole in commemoration of the centenary celebration of the nation.

Three prominent Nigerian Sports Legends were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. They are Pa KAB Olowu, who won 2 silver medals at the 1954 commonwealth games, Dr. George Ogan who won Silver medal at the 1966 Commonwealth games and Dr. Awoture Elaye who was the coach of the Nigerian team to the 1990 Commonwealth games. This category of the award was presented by another veteran, Modupe Oshikoya who was honoured with the same award at the maiden edition.

Other winners at the 2014 award includes Asisat Oshoala who won the Footballer of the Year (Women) category, the Ball sports personality of the year was won by Portugal based Aruna Quadri who also won the category in 2013 while Falconets star, Courtney Dike emerged as the Discovery of the Year 2014.

In the School Sports category, St. Barnabas Primary School, Ilorin emerged winner for winning the West African Football Union (WAFU) under-13 Football competition thereby displacing Greensprings School, Lagos who won the category back to back in the last two editions.

The Falconets emerged the Team of the Year while their Coach, Peter Dedevbo who is also a nominee of the FIFA Women Football Coach of the Year emerged the Coach of the Year.

In the Combat sports personality of the year category, Odunayo Adekuroye emerged the winner, Efe Ajagba won the Boxer of the Year, Loveline Obiji won the Special Sports Person of the Year, Maryam Usman won the Weightlifter of the Year.

Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the Lagos Sate Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development who is also the President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) emerged the winner of the Sports Administrator of the Year.

In the Sports Journalist category, Tana Aiyejina of Punch Newspaper emerged the Journalist of the Year (Print), Ayodele Ojo of the Sun Newspaper emerged the Sports Photo Journalist of the Year, Godwin Enakheana of Top Radio won the Sports Journalist of the Year (Radio) while Miyen Akiri of Galaxy Television won the Sports Journalist of the year (Television).