Ogunjobi Ayodeji, an aspirant vying for a position into the Executive Board of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), says it was time for the youths in Nigeria to be in football administration.

Ayodeji is the eldest son of late former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) now Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) talked about his plans during the Optima Energy Gold Cup tournament in Ikenne and Sagamu.

According to him: “I’ve been involved in sports administration and organizing tournaments. After working with the Nigerian government at two different events and for CAF and FIFA, I did identify the issues and problems the beautiful game is facing in the country.

“I thought it was time to get the youths involved in Nigeria’s football administration.”

“The tenacity will definitely be different. In the brand scheme of things, the young age are the ones sent out to source for the market and get sponsorship. A lot of brands relate with the younger market, that’s one side.

“Apart from breeding players football development transcend to management.

“If you can start grooming managers, that is football administrators, then you can tell the future is good. Not that you wake up when you’re in your fifties and you decide that you want to be on the board.”

Elections into the NFF Executive Board has been riddled with an impending court order, after Honourable Justice I.E Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja on the 15th day of September 2022, put a stop to the election pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

But on Thursday, a Court of Appeal seating in Abuja gave the NFF the green light to hold its 78th Annual General Assembly and elections of a new Executive Committee to steer the affairs of the nation’s apex football –ruling body for the next four years

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has assured that the Ogunjobi Football House will be completed soon.

The project which started in 2018 was among the football houses built by the Amaju Malvin Pinnick led NFF Board.

Akinwunmi, the Lagos State Football Association boss and other Southwest State Football Associations chairmen of Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo), Bayo Olanlege (Ekiti), Gani Majekodunmi (Ogun), James Adeniran (Oyo) and Alhaji Mustapha Abulrasaq (Osun) came under the agies of the Western Nigeria Football Forum (WNFF) to host the maiden Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tournament.

Speaking during the award night of WNFF/Taiwo Ogunjobi U-15 Tourney in Osogbo last weekend, Akinwunmi said: “Apart from honouring Taiwo Ogunjobi, we will also help the host Football Association, Osun, complete the Ogunjobi Football House.

“We have raised some money from among ourselves, but we are also looking for help to complete the Ogunjobi Football house project which houses the Osun FA.

“We hope that next year, we will take the project to another state, which will benefit from the programme until all the states have their own football houses.”

Meanwhile NPFL/La Liga U15 champions Remo Stars were crowned winners of the Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tourney after they pipped Osun State counterparts 1-0 to lift the title.

NPFL/La Liga U15 champions Remo Stars were crowned winners of the one week soccer fiesta after they pipped their Osun State counterparts 1-0 to lift the title last weekend in Osogbo.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Secretary General Dr Tijani Yusuf who was among top Nigerian football egg-heads that graced the grand finale couldn’t hide his delight as he showered praises on Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi (Lagos); Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo), Bayo Olanlege (Ekiti), Gani Majekodunmi (Ogun), James Adeniran (Oyo) and Alhaji Mustapha Abulrasaq (Osun) for the initiative and deeming it right to immortalize the late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“The Western Nigeria Football Forum deserves all the accolades for immortalising Taiwo Ogunjobi with a youth tournament.

“You can’t talk about the sucesses Nigeria has recorded in the beautiful round leather game without giving credit to Ogunjobi.

“He had passion for football development at all levels and he dedicated his life to it as a former player with IICC Shooting Stars, Green Eagles (now Super Eagles) and as an administrator in the capacity as a Board Member with Shooting Stars, Club Chairman (Prime FC now Osun United) and as former Secretary General of NFA.

“Ogunjobi may be gone but he remains forever in our hearts as his legacies lives on. So no better way to honour him than to host this kind of befitting tournament in his name.

“I want to use this platform to asking that other zones should emulate the South West. We will share the story out as one of the post event stories.”

The Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial Under-15 Tournament and Awards also had in attendance two other former Secretary Generals of the NFF, Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Fanny Amun, President of Nigeria Referees Association, Tade Azeez, two former Shooting Stars legends who played with late Ogunjobi both at club and national levels, Felix Owolabi and Idowu Otunbusi.

Former Super Eagles and Shooting Stars legend, Mutiu Adepoju likewise President General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club worldwide, Dr Rafiu Ladipo and son of the deceased football administrator, Lanre Ogunjobi.

Oyo and Osun State U15 teams are through to the semi-finals of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup after they compounded the woes of Ekiti and Ogun State U15 teams respectively.

A beehive of activities returned to the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo as six goals were scored on Matchday 2 of the tournament.

The Oyo State team who defeated a 10-man Lagos State team on Matchday 1, took the game to their counterparts from Ekiti State who had piped Kwara State in their opening fixture.

Shittu Fawaz was the unsung hero after he broke inside Ekiti State U15 team box, and hammered home the goal in confident fashion in the 20 minute and at the end proved to be the winner for his Oyo State team.

For Osun, they had Hamzat Qureeb to thank, after he scored from a sublime free kick in 52nd minute.

Victory for Oyo and Osun State U15 teams on Matchday 2 have placed each on top their groups with 6points each.

It was a superb Matchday 2 outing for Lagos State U15 team as they put behind their loss to Oyo State to beat Kwara State 3-1.

The Eko Boys meant business as they got a 5th minute lead through Uche Egwu and from there, he put his team in the driver’s seat.

Twenty-five minutes later, Kwara State U15 scored their first goal of the campaign after Arowolo Daniel broke in and steered the ball into the bottom corner of Lagos State goal to restore parity for his team.

Lagos then needed nine minutes to seal off the game to earn their first 3points and a chance to advance into the semi-finals, after Romans Obinna latched onto a defensive error by Team Kwara’s defender and coolly slotted home to restore Team Lagos lead in the 51st minute.

As the game got to its one hour mark; Afolabi Kehinde puts the game beyond Team Kwara’s reach with the third goal, after he dribbled past his makers and found the back of the net.

It was not too rosy for NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars U15 after they shared the spoils with Ondo State.

MatchDay 2 Results

Remo Stars 0-0 Ondo State
Lagos State 3-1 Kwara State
Ekiti State 0-1 Oyo State
Ogun State 0-1 Osun State

MatchDay 3 Fixtures

Osun State vs Remo Stars – 10:00 AM
Ekiti State vs Lagos State – 11:00 AM
Oyo State vs Kwara State -12:00 PM
Ogun State vs Ondo State – 1:00 PM

VENUE: Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science, Osogbo

#OgunjobiMemorialCup22

NPFL/LaLiga U15 champions Remo Stars and U15 teams of Oyo, Osun and Ekiti got their first 3points on Matchday 1 of the maiden edition of the Taiwo Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup.

The opening fixture of the one-week long soccer fiesta at the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo, lived up to its hype after Oyo U15 got the better off their bitter rivals Lagos with a 2-1 scoreline.

It took Oyo State 16 minutes to break the resilience of Lagos State defence as Maruf Umar made history as he became the first goal scorer of the when he scored from a stunning strike to give his team the lead.

With Oyo State going into the break of half-time with a comfortable lead, the onus was on Lagos State to find the equalizing goal in the 2nd half.

That was not to be; as two minutes into the 2nd half, Shittu Fawaz pounced on lose ball from a poor defending to double the lead for Oyo State.

Francis Ajibola then gave Lagos State a lifeline after he reduced the tally from a goalmouth scramble in the 51st minute.

In the opening fixtures of Group B, 10 man Team Osun defeated their Ondo State counterpart thanks to Jimoh Kamaldeen’s 49th minute strike.

Team Osun were reduced to 10 players after Ossai Alex picked his second booking of the match for a late tackle on Oluwole Kehinde, and was sent off.

In the Ogun Derby, Remo Stars claimed the bragging rights after they beat Ogun State U15 team 2-0.

The young Sky Blue Stars scored in both halves, and took the lead through Wahab Hassan in the 23rd minute and missed a spot kick a minute after. Thirty minutes later, the NPFL/LaLiga champions then put the icing on the cake after Wahab Hassan scored the winner from close range.

In the last game of the Matchday One, Ekiti State pipped Kwara State in a keenly contested match, as Pelumi Agbegunde jabs home a well tailored cross to earn a valuable 3 points.

MatchDay One Results

Group A
Oyo State 2-1 Lagos State
Kwara State 0-1 Ekiti State

Group B
Osun State 1-0 Ondo State
Remo Stars 2-0 Ogun State

MatchDay 2 Fixtures (Thursday Aug 18)

Ondo State vs Remo Stars – 10:00 AM
Lagos State vs Kwara State – 11:00 AM
Ekiti State vs Oyo State -12:00 PM
Ogun State vs Osun State – 1:00 PM

VENUE: Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science, Osogbo

OgunjobiMemorialCup22

The State of Osun will bubble with the best of football artistry as the debut edition of Western Nigeria Football Forum/Ogunjobi Memorial U-15 Football Tournament kicks off from 16th -21st August in Osogbo.

In an official statement signed by the Co-Chairmen for the event, Otunba Dele Ajayi and Otunba Tade Azeez, informed that over 180 kids drawn across Nigeria and are players of the eight teams will slug it out for individual honours and the most prized trophy.

NPFL/La Liga Football Tournament champions Remo Stars FC (U-15), Katsina United FC (U15), who were 2nd runners-up, alongside U15 teams of the Football Associations of the South West States are to thrill fans in the week long soccer fiesta.

The teams and officials are to camp at the Ede, Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare and nine others have been listed for an Award of Excellence by the organizers of the tourney.

The Honourable Minister, Hon. Kunle Soname; the Chairman of KC Gamings Limited and President of Remo Stars FC, Ikenne Remo, Chief Adebutu Kessington, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, Chief Segun Odegbami, His Excellency Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru, Mr Yemi Idowu, former member House of Representatives, Honourable Ayo Omidiran, Princess Bola Jegede and Dr Rafiu Ladipo are recipients for the awards, for their selfless service to the development of the beautiful game in the South West.

A high-powered delegation led by Ondo State FA boss, Otunba Dele Ajayi arrived Osogbo, the capital of Osun State and immediately visited designated hotels, proposed match venues and medical facilities.

Speaking to reporters after the one day inspection tour, the Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Otunba Dele Ajayi is optimistic of a memorable tourney poised to live up to its billing.

“We have got an idea of the progress level of the tournament after going round to check on the available facilities.

“What we have seen at these facilities were exact things the LOC provided the MOC in their reports.

“So, we have taken key decisions as regards accomodations, feeding and match centres. The LOC has done a good job and we are going to have a befitting championship.

“Football fans in the Southwest should expect the best because the states will present their best U-15 teams for the competition. Camping is ongoing and you know our zone leads by example.”

The former Chairman of NFF Finance Committee took time to eulogized the legacies of the immediate past Chairman of Osun FA, late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi whose good works still speaks volume till date.

“We have seriously missed late Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi who was the leader of Western Nigeria Football Forum until the time when he transited to life beyond. That’s the reason we are immortalising him with this tournament.

” Late Ogunjobi did very well, he played the game and administered it as former General Secretary of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) now NFF. He was a distinguished leader and a caring father. May his soul continue to rest in peace.” Ajayi noted.

The inspection team was led by Otunba Dele Ajayi, host State FA Chairman Otunba Rasaq lshola Mustapha (RIM), a member of Main Organising Committee who’s equally the Ekiti FA Chairman, Mr. Bayo Olanlege and members of Local Organising Committee.

The football tournament and award ceremony, according to Main Organizing Committee will hold from 16th August to 21st with the awards holding in the evening of the final.

Local Organizing Committee of the maiden edition of Taiwo Ogunjobi Memorial U-15 Football Tournament and Awards Night billed for Tuesday August 16, through Sunday August 21, 2022, has released a list of Eight (8) Sub-Committees.

The forum of all the South West States Football Associations under the aegis of the Western Nigeria Football Forum (WNFF) are using the U-15 championship to immortalise the former General Secretary of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi.

In the eight (8) Sub-Committees of the tournament, General Coordinator of the nation’s prestigious domestic league pre-season tourney, Tunde Shamsudeen, has been listed into two Sub-Committees.

Shamsudeen who hosts yearly the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Preseason Tournament was listed as the Chairman of Award/Media & Publicity Committee and a member of Entertainment Committee, while the Media Director of Osun United, Seyi Akanni was named in the media team.

Shamsudeen and Akanni are to bring to play their solid years of media experience and sports reportage, as they are to oversee the Award/Media & Publicity Committees with Prince Dauda Abimbola.

Prince Adeogun Isiaka alongside Tunde Shamsudeen, Odun Festus and Tunde Adebiyi
are to make plans as regards entertainment committee.

In the other Sub Committees, Hon.Rawlings Oyebayo and Olufemi Bankefa are to deliberate on matters concerning Security.

The Referee Committee, has the trio of Hon. Adio Suleiman, Mr. Latunde Gbenga and Mr Tunde Adebiyi.

Honourable Adio Suleiman who is Chairman of the Ref’s Committee is also the Chairman of a three-man Finance Committee with Engr. Aina Kehinde and Mr Sola Fayoyiwa.

The Medical Committee consist of Alhaji Omolaja Najeem, Hon.Rawlings Oyebayo and Elder Adelowo.

Furthermore, members the championship Local Organizing Committee (LOC) are members of the Facilities/Pitch/Accommodation and Disciplinary Sub-Committees.

Recall, the WNFF led by the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, last weekend disclosed that in honour of late Ogunjobi and what he stood for during his lifetime, the events is aimed to promote youth and grassroots football development and celebrate distinguished sports stakeholders in the region.

The competition packaged by the Western Nigeria Football Forum led by the NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi will feature 6 teams from Southwest Nigeria – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states U-15 boys teams and will be played in Osun State.

Meanwhile a 7-man list has been drawn as the Local Organizing Committee of the  competition. 

Osun State FA boss, Chief Razaq Ishola Mustapha will be the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Salami Tunde is the Vice Chairman, other members are Mr. Tunde Shansudeen, Prince Adeogun Isiaka, Mr. Tunde Adebiyi and Hon. Rawlings Oyebayo while Mr. Amoo Abayomi is the secretary.

In a meeting held recently the Board of football council approved that the 2nd season of the cadet championship be hosted in honour the former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Recall Ogunjobi, a former Nigeria international and IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan legend died on February 10, 2019.

His death, at the age of 65, came 35 years to the day after he made his debut for Nigeria against Morocco in an Olympic qualifier, which in 1984 was not restricted to under-23 sides.

According to Rawlings Oyebayo, Chairman Ijesha Football Council said: “The essence of the age grade tournament which is sponsored by Siji lagunju, Deputy Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is to boost the discovery of exceptional talents at the grassroots and catching them young in a bid to provide a well defined future for them.”

Oyebayo also outlined the modalities for this year’s championship did inform that: “Interested grassroot teams are expected to pay a none refundable fee of Ten Thousand Naira Only (#10,000) as the sale of registration forms began on Monday, 17th of January.

“With a view to curbing age-cheats, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has fixed January 31st for player’s screening and will would not hesitate to sanction any team found to have presented over-aged players.”

The Ijesha Football Council egg-head used the media to appreciate Lagunju who has been the sole sponsor of Ogunjobi U-17 championship and also Tunde Shamsudeen, the Media Officer (2) of the nation’s third-tier league, NationWide League One (NLO) for the media mileage provided the tournament.

“We also want to carry everyone and other well meaning personalities along as a formal invitation has been extended to the late Ogunjobi family as regards the programme and also to the late Ogunjobi Foundation through Shamsudeen.”