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OPINION: NFF, It is Time to Support Coach Waldrum’s Project

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3 months ago

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It is sad enough that Nigeria last participated in the Olympics women’s football event 16 years ago yet poor preparations, injuries, and interference from Nigeria’s highest football body, NFF marred the Super Falcons outing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As much as Nigerians and fans of the Super Falcons were disappointed by the outing of the 18-player squad under American gaffer, Randy Waldrum, it is imperative to look inwards ahead of other challenges.

Following the outing, Coach Randy Waldrum blamed the Super Falcons’ outing at the Paris 2024 Olympics on poor preparations, which saw the team losing all three group games to come last with zero points despite preparation in the shortest time.

Admittedly, the Nigerian Super Falcons were drawn in a tough group with women’s football reigning champion, Spain, and power houses Japan and Brazil, but that shouldn’t have defined what eventually became the outing of the team.

It is instructive to note that the same Super Falcons, under the tutelage of Waldrum, qualified for the Olympics in flying colours, participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand and came out head high at the round of 16 and again qualified for the Women Africa Cup of Nation set to begin in July 2025.

 

Waldrum took the job in 2021 when Nigeria was ranked 45 and successfully began building the team to a perfect fit. It would be on record that after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the Women Football Olympics, Waldrum broke the jinx beating Cameroon and South Africa to clinch the ticket.

It is no gainsaying that Waldrum has a project of turning the Super Falcons into a world class team that fans and Nigerians will be proud of in the next two years. It’s a process and a gradual one. Upon his contract in 2021, Waldrum first evaluated the team and retired the old legs.

He went on to attract young and effective players to create a squad of enviable ballers, hence the success he made at the last Women World Cup and the qualifiers for Olympics and WAFCON.

Hence, it was no surprise when the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, decided to renew his two-year-contract in late 2023.

However, one wonders what suddenly went wrong when the same NFF were beginning to breathe down on Waldrum’s neck to influence some of his technical decisions that might have been responsible for our outing at the Paris Olympic Women Football.

According to a report, allegations were rife that some NFF top officials tried imposing players on the American gaffer including veteran forward Francisca Ordega, who had a below performance at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Then we begin to wonder what really is the motive of the NFF, who has given the man a job but still wants to help him do the same job through influencing his decisions.

For a man, who has begun a project to turn the Super Falcons around, create an unbeatable confidence and gain the trust of his trusted players, it will be hard influencing his choice of game changers.

A pointer to Waldrum’s success with the team were the contracts which some of the Falcons’ stars are beginning to attract – Toni Payne signed for Everton, Jennifer Echegini signed for PSG and others.

Again, without holding a brief for Waldrum, though the Super Falcon’s outing at the Paris Olympic have been perceived ‘poor’ by many, a study of the matches showed that the team could have done much better and hold the champion and power house to a standstill if not for a lot of factors that include injuries of two of the key players, Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde.

If Ayinde had made the team, Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe wouldn’t have started three matches in the space of 6 days, while Ashleigh Plumptre’s major influence as the pivot of the defense wouldn’t have been missing in action.

My submission, the NFF should leave Waldrum to complete his project and deliver a world class team for Nigeria. If the NFF puts total structural support behind Waldrum with the confidence he has built in the players, and how they idolize him, the next two years will be a roller coaster as it will be almost difficult to beat the Falcons. Hence, it’s time to support coach Waldrum and let the Falcons fly again. He should be given an extension up until the next WAFCON with a mandate to win it. Win it and a further extension will be on the line, anything less and it is most definitely goodbye

Oluwaseun Moyo Oloketuyi
Chairman Bon Awards Adivsory board and Producer Flying with Falcons writes from Lagos

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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6 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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18 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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20 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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