BY Alloy Chukwuemeka

The man Shehu Dikko that I have known over the years is a Seasoned Administrator of repute, and a Marketing guru from a successful private sector background.

An astute Football Administrator and passionate sportsman with a high level of charisma, intelligence, outspoken, exposed and ready to take risks.

He is a man with so much wisdom and exposure that he could work and interact with people of different backgrounds and flows accordingly without undue sentiments.

From a Muslim background in the ancient city of Zaria, the graduate of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, kaduna has grown to become a guru in Football Administration, both locally and at the international scenes.

Many of us who are very close to him always mistake his calmness and thoroughness as a delay- in -action flaw, but he is a man who takes his time to intelligently understudy events before making informed decisions.

Though no human being is perfect, but the likes of Shehu Dikko can perfectly turn around any situation and positively influence a system to work well.

Since his assumption of office as the CEO of the LMC after playing a vital role to midwife the creation of the League Management Company (LMC), Dikko worked closely with the then Chairman, Hon. Nduka Irabor to unbundle the commercial inflows of the NPFL.

As the CEO of the LMC, he was in the forefront of attracting a lot of sponsorship deals like Supersport, FIRS, 1-XBET, and recently Bet9ja, Hero Beer, Bitnob and etc, now under his leadership as the Chairman of the LMC.

As the CEO of the LMC, he was instrumental to the NPFL-LaLiga partnership which took football stakeholders and NPFL All Stars team to Spain, for Grade A soccer tournaments, Capacity Building for Administrators and etc.

The partnership also culminated to the NPFL- LaLiga Technical Partnership for training of local coaches as well as the yearly NPFL- Laliga U-15 Promises championship, for youth development.

Despite the negative actions of some toxic elements and football critics who work negatively against the system to frustrate and discourage some of the potential investors in the League, Dikko painstakingly floated the NPFL-TV, which attracted commendation from both within and outside the shores of the country.

His uncommon transformation to the Domestic League NPFL attracted international recognition when he was invited to join other Leagues across the world to become a pioneer member of the World Leagues Forum.

He is also a member of CAF and FIFA Committees, aside being a recipient of the prestigious ‘The Sun Sports Man of the Year’ award, amongst others.

Malam Shehu Dikko is currently the 2nd Vice President of the NFF and Chairman, Strategic Studies Committee with great knowledge, contacts and diplomatic exposure to revamp the Nigeria Football system and take the country’s football to greater heights.

In 2014, the entire football stakeholders in Nigeria unanimously tipped him to become the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, but power play and political intrigues stopped him amidst victimization and humiliations.

Despite that denial, he humbled himself and joined the present day NFF leadership, working together with total loyalty, dedication and commitment in the interest of the game.

Today, time has beckoned on him to come and take the mantle that was taken away from him, to fulfill God’s design and destiny, to take Nigeria Football to the Promised Land.

Alloy Chukwuemeka writes from Baba-Ode, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Kwara State Football Association on Saturday entered a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports in the quest to create a new identity to promote grassroot football.

Malam Idris Abdullahi in his words, described Nigeria Pillar of Sports as a vital element in the Structure of the FA and assured of working with Chief Ejidike in matching the objectives of the FA, adding that his Administration is fully committed to maintain its relationship to scientifically harness talents and improve the round leather game.

Thuraya opined the FA has explored in seeking sponsors to improve the standard of facilities including remodelling the artificial turf of the state stadium to natural grass and also to establish football pitches across all senatorial districts within.

He equally commended his board members for aligning with his objectives saying it will bring a significant change as stakeholders unite all grassroots initiatives and programmes under one banner.

Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, vowed to work assiduously with the Kwara FA to help improve the fortunes of the game in the state.

Chief Ejidike, in his first familiarization visit to the secretariat of the FA, was meant to acquaint himself with the operations of the state football governing body and partner with the visionary institution while pledging his office support for the FA with a call for a stronger collaboration in a bid to develop all sectors of the game.

During the meeting, a Customized backdrop which had Malam Idris Picture with an inscripted message ” Outstanding Performance and revitalization of Football in Kwara” was presented by Chief Donatus to the FA Boss.

The delegation had in company of Alloy Chukwuemeka, Ajide Olayioye and others were met on arrival by the FA members including, Kashmi Agaka, Hajia Segilola Alaya, Captain Dayo Ayodele, Ahmed Abdullahi and other affiliated members of the FA.

For the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo, popularly referred to as ACC, it was a story of a prophet honoured in his community, as he was on Friday April 9th, 2021, conferred with a traditional title of NWACHIGOZIRI 1, of Umualumaku Community in Ehime Mbano in Imo state.

Football enthusiasts from all around the nation, sports journalists, friends and well wishers converged in the ancient community of Umualumaku, in Ehime Mbano in Imo state to honour the man of many parts, class and cadre.

He is the man of many parts because, as an Igbo man, he speaks other Nigerian languages like Yoruba and Hausa.

He is a man of all classes because he finds it easy to relate with the all-mighty and the lowest class in the society, and his mixture with people of all classes in the society brings out the selflessness, tolerance and the sacrificial attributes in him.

That also makes him fit into any cadre of life at any point in time, and adjusts to any situation that comes his way, with not only his body language, but his words, breaking all barriers and obstacles because of the influential intelligence that God has endowed him with.

He is absolutely an embodiment of humility, transparency, a peace maker.

He is all in all in the round leather game. He was a player. He is a Retired Grade One Referee, a Journalist, a Commentator and Analyst, Administrator of repute, and the ‘Network’ himself.

Back then, he started cutting his administrative teeth when he was the Secretary of the Igbo Traders Football Association (ITFA), a football controlling organization under the auspices of the Igbo Community Association in Kwara state.

Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo (ACC) was born in February 2nd, 1976, to the family of late Mr. Casmier Ebonugwo and Ezinne Felicia Adamma Ebonugwo of Umuonyia Umualumaku Ehime Mbano, Imo State.

He attended the Hill top Primary School, Umualumaku and early Secondary School at Boys Secondary School Umualumaku.

He proceeded to complete his Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes at Government Day Secondary School, Nyanya, Abuja, before completing his Senior Secondary School (SSS) at Government Day Secondary School, Agbabiaka, Ilorin, Kwara state.

Chief Chukwuemeka graduated with First Degree Bsc (Geography) Certificate from the ‘Better by Far’ University, University of Ilorin, before obtaining his Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

He returned to the University of Ilorin to bag his Masters Degree in Public Administration.

ACC, as he is fondly called, played active football in his early years when he was nicknamed after the legend Cameroonian Roger Miller before injury knocked him out of playing active football.

For his passion and love for football, he joined the Nigeria football Referees Association (NFRA), Kwara State Council and rose to become a Grade One Referee.

He was the longest serving Secretary General of the Igbo Traders Football Association (ITFA) Ilorin, where he served meritoriously and was named the ‘’ITFA Ambassador’’.

As a seasoned sports journalist, ACC rose from PRO of Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to become the Vice Chairman and progressed to a 3rd term National Executive Officer of the Association for nine years.

He was Media Officer of Yobe Desert Stars Damaturu and a classroom teacher in Babura Jigawa State during his NYSC programme.

Chukwuemeka has traveled to several countries of the world notably Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Angola, Spain, Russia, UAE, South Africa etc.

He was amongst the Nigerian delegation to the NPFL-LALIGA tour to Spain as well 2018 world cup in Russia.

He also has a FIFA Certificate on Football Administration/Management, as well as a FIFA accredited TMS manager.

Presently, he is the Executive Secretary of NPFL Club Owners Association of Nigeria, the Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC Ilorin and member Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Strategic Studies Committee.

And because of his numerous contributions to the uplift of his community, the community, led by His Royal Highness, Eze C.U Okoro Aku 1, rolled out the drums to celebrate the true son of

Umualumaku Community, in Ehime Mbano, and also conferred on him, the NWACHIGOZIRI 1, alongside his wife, Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka. This is an honour even the reverred in the society do not get or deserve in their communities. And this has to do with many factors, underscored by huge sacrifice.

He was honoured for his contributions to unity and peace, sports development, support to community development and humanity.

Chief Chukwuemeka is the donor and sponsor of the yearly Umualumaku Unity Cup, donor to Ehime Mbano United FC, donor to Mbano Unity Cup competition and several community services to his people.

He is a member and pillar of Catholic Men Organization and a Man of the People with high level of integrity.

The honour to Chief Chukwuemeka coincided with the birthday of his mother, Ezinne Felicia Adamma Ebonugwo, who was 87th.

His wife, Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka is a banker, and a Master Degree holder (Business Administration) from LAUTECH University Ogbomoso.

Chief Aloysius Chukwuemeka Chinekezi Ebonugwo is blessed with five Children, Chichi, Chidozie, chiamaka, Chisara and Chijioke.

To the ‘Man of the people’, it’s no doubt, great honour to whom it’s due.

It was indeed a funfair on Friday in Ehime Mbano, Imo State as the Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka bagged chieftaincy as the Nwachigozir I of Umualumaku kingdom.

The chieftaincy conferment which took place at the palace of His Royal Highest, Christopher Okoro, the Aku I of Umualumaku was attended by the crème dela crème in the Nigerian sporting fraternity.

The astute administrator and seasoned sports journalist, who is also a member of the Strategic Studies Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was honoured by his community for his contributions to unity and peace, sports development, support to community development and humanity.

Speaking at the event, the Royal father of the Imualumaku kingdom, Christopher Okoro lauded the selfless service of Alloy Chukwuemeka to the growth and development of the kingdom on which merit he bestowed him with the title Nwachigoziri I.

“Alloy Chukwuemeka has really made us pride in this community and has proved himself to be a good ambassador of Umualumaku kingdom in the diaspora.

” He has uphold the sanctity of this community and has foster the unity of this kingdom the more from his annual football competition among youths of this kingdom.

“On this and many more, I deemed it worthy enough to bestowed on Bashie honorary traditional title as Nwachigori I. We hope he will plough his wealth of experience to the development of this kingdom, ” the royal father said.

In the same vein, the executive chairman of the club owners of Nigeria, Barrister Isaac Danladi eulogized Alloy Chukwuemeka as a man of virtues and integrity.

” Alloy Chukwuemeka is a man of integrity as whatever he promised he wouldn’t renege. He is a man of his word. I was earlier envisaged how he will sail in the midst of these aged chiefs. But I was averse by the adage that says a child that knows how well to wash hand will dine and wine with the aged.

“The honour is well deserved, considering the notable contributions of Alloy Chukwuemeka to his community, and what he stands for in Nigeria as a whole.

“What I have seen today shows he is indeed a proud son of the soil. And we wish him the best in his new callings,” Danladi added.

In his goodwill message Alloy Chukwuemeka expressed his appreciation to the royal father and the chiefs of the community for the honour and said the new title will afford him to do more to Umualumaku kingdom.

“The purpose for this chieftaincy title started about four years ago having been raised by his Royal highest, Christopher Okoro.

“With this honour, I shall strive hard to double my humanitarian services to the community. I hoped to raised indigene of this kingdom to stardom in the field of football,” Alloy promised.

Notable football stakeholders, the sporting media practitioners across the country, friends, well wishers and associates witnessed the ceremony.

The Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria ( Club Owners) have sent a strong Delegation to Ehime Mbano in Imo state as the Executive Secretary of the Association Alloy Chukwuemeka is to be honoured with a Chieftaincy title by his community.

The ceremony is billed to hold on Friday 9th April 2021 by 11 am at the palace of His Royal Highness Eze C.U Okoro Aku 1 of Umualumaku community.

The club Owners Delegation is to be led by the chairman of the Association and Nasarawa United FC boss Barr. Isaac Danladi, others include Enyimba boss Felix Anyansi Agwu, Pastor Emeka Inyama, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwudi, Prince Davidson Owumi, Chukwuma Ubah, Chief Okey Kpalukwu, Elder Paul Bassey, Kumbi Titiloye, and other NPFL and NNL club chairmen. 

LMC boss and 2nd vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF Malam Shehu Dikko will lead other NFF chieftains, Congress members and LMC directors to the event. 

Other Dignitaries include the Nigeria Pillar of Sports Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, ABS FC boss Mr Seni Saraki and a host of others.

Meanwhile, an advance team of the planning committee led by the National Coordinator of the club Owners Association of Nigeria and sporting Director of Enyimba FC Jude Anyadufu, alongside Former commissioner for Youths Gombe state Malam Farouk Yarma, former chairman of Heartland FC Goodfaith Etuemena and General Manager of Kwara United Malam Bashir Badawiy are set to be on ground in Owerri. 

Notable Football stakeholders and the Sporting Media practitioners across the country will on April 9th 2021 converge at the Palace of His Royal Highness Eze C.U Okoro (Aku 1) of Umualumaku Ehime Mbano in Imo state as he confers an honorary traditional Chieftaincy title on Mr &Mrs Alloy Chukwuemeka ACC , the Executive Secretary of the NPFL club Owners Association of Nigeria. 

The event which kicks off by 11am will attract members of the Football and sports fraternity from across Nigeria including friends, family and well wishers of the ABS FC Director of Football. 

Highlights of the double events celebrations  include the 87th birthday ceremony of his beloved mother EZINNE Felicia ADAMMA. 

Chukwuemeka is being honoured by his community for his contribution to unity and peace, sports development,  support to community development and humanity .

An astute Administrator and seasoned sports journalist, Alloy Chukwuemeka is also a member of the Strategic studies committee of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF. 

He holds a bachelors  degree (BSC) in Geography from the ‘better by far’ University of Ilorin, a post graduate Diploma in Journalism (IIJ) and Masters Degree in Public Administration (Unilorin). 

Chukwuemeka is also a trained grade one football Referee , a devoted Catholic and a public affairs analyst. 

He is married to Mrs Helen Nkechi Chukwuemeka, a banker and a Master Degree holder in Business Administration and blessed with 5 children Chichi, chidozie, Chiamaka, Chisara and Chijioke.

The late Emma Ibah was until his death the chairman of the Akwaibom state Football Association where he showcased diligence, responsible and responsiveness in the discharge of his duties.

Club Owners said such a humble, easy going and committed Football chieftain would be missed by all the Football stakeholders especially for his support to the growth of grassroot Football in his domain.

The Association further said that his death was more painful considering that he was planning for his wedding ceremony this weekend which was to be attended by Chieftains of the NFF and some notable Football stakeholders

Club Owners in sympathy message jointly signed by the chairman Barr. Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary Alloy Chukwuemeka commiserate with the entire board, Management and staff of the NFF, his state FA , Akwa united football club , his immediate family and friends over his untimely death.

Club Owners prayed for the repose of his soul and for God to give the family and friends of the late chairman Protocol and ceremonial committee of the NFF the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Football Club Owners Association of Nigeria (Club Owners) have sent a goodwill message to the Chairman of Enyimba international FC chief Felix Anyansi Agwu as he bags THE SUN SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD.

The Association said the award was timely coming exactly 17 years after Anyansi Agwu who is proudly the best Football Administrator in Nigeria led Enyimba to win the first CAF champions League trophy for Nigeria.

Club Owners in a statement jointly signed by its chairman Barr. Isaac Danladi and the Executive Secretary Alloy Chukwuemeka described the award as well deserved and meritorious.

The Association charged Anyansi Agwu to see the recognition as a propeller to continue to use his wealth of experience to add more value to Football development in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The Enyimba boss who is an Executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF is also a frontline member of the club Owners Association of Nigeria.

Meanwhile the Association have also extended a congratulatory message to one of its members and proprietor of Goround Football club Bro. Felix Obuah who won the The Sun Hospitality personality of the Year.

Club Owners praised him for his commitment to the development of the Nigeria tourism and hospitality industry which he extended to Football and sports in general .

In a statement made available by the Chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Prince Olayioye Ajide Shola, the appointment of ACC was a right step in a right direction.

Prince Olayioye expressed the Nigeria Pillar of Sports’ excitement on the announcement of one of the members as a member of the NFF committee.

According to the statement, Alloy Chukwuemeka has what it takes to serve in that capacity.

” Alloy Chukwuemeka is a master strategist who had participated in all stages of sports administration and has been contributing to sports promotion and development in Nigeria.

“ACC’s agility, knowledge and commitment earned him appointment as manager of a professional league side, Executive Secretary, Football club Owners of Nigeria aside having served as media officer of many clubs. He was part of Enyimba FC strategists that won elusive African Champions League Cup among many of his feats.”

The Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports appreciated the NFF and encourage the football ruling authority to identify people like him to take sports to a greater height.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick has done well in constituting the various committees that will help reposition the round leather game in Nigeria.

The Chairman, Office of the Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Olayioye Ajide sounded that the office would continue to applaud sports policies and decisions that will give hope to sports enthusiasts in Nigeria.

They said that they were attracted by the combined efforts of the kwara state Football Association, private sector participation as well as kwara state government supports to the completion of the project.

Osun state is one of the beneficiaries of the Aiteo Football house donated to the NFF to take Football development to the grassroots.

The Delegation led by the SA on sports to the Osun state government Adegboyega Lateef Adelabu said they will take the kwara example to the state of Osun to ensure that the Football house in Osogbo is completed in earnest.

Receiving the Delegation cum a guided tour of the facility, chairman of the kwara state Football Association Malam Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya told the visitors that it took the commitment of his board, the great support of a seasoned Football Administrator A.U Mustapha and above all the support of the kwara state governor Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq to get the structure completed and commissioned.

The visiting Delegation included the SA on Rural development Osun state and were jointly received alongside the kwara FA boss by a member of the newly inaugurated kwara FA elders committee Malam Tunde Kazeem, Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka of the Strategic studies and Ethics committee and the secretary of Kwara FA Malam Kashim Agaka.