Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare on Monday presented the 10-year Football Masterplan to the Nigeria Women Football League Club Owners in his office at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja.

Sunday while presenting the the Federal Government approved 10-year Football Masterplan to Club Owners, also appreciated their efforts for taking up the challenges that comes with running of football in Nigeria. He advocated for more private Club owners as it is obtainable in other developed countries.

“I want to thank the Chairperson of the NWFL Club Owners for taking up the challenges faced while in running football in Nigeria. I want to clamour for more private clubs. In other countries, private clubs get suport and thrive and we are working on clubs ro leverage on private funds.

There is something missing in Nigeria football and the government and Club Owners need to fix it if the game must develop.

The football Masterplan document is put together by experts who have the needed experience. It needs your support and of course everyone’s supports

Also speaking, the Chairperson of NWFL, Henrrienta Ehiabor thanked the Minister for putting together credible individuals that came up with the Ten-year Football Masterplan.

“The NWFL Club Owners thank the Minister of Sports for putting together credible individuals that put together the Ten-year Football Masterplan which touched and proffered all important aspects affecting Nigeria

The event which was held in Kwara Stadium Complex was witnessed by members of NPFWA and the Media.

Speaking on the event, President of NPFWA, Mrs Ify Lordson Ichull said the investiture of Mrs Ehiabor was unsolicited and well deserved.

“We have been following the contributions of Mrs Ehiabor since she became part of the football family.

“She is a true and patriotic Nigerian who has continued to spend her hard-earned finances and resources for the benefits of sports in Nigeria.

“Therefore, she is worthy of being honoured and decorated as our national matron,” Mrs Ichull Lordson stated.

An obviously elated Ehiabor expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed on her.

“I am indeed, very happy and grateful for this honour. It is a great feelings to be decorated as a national matron of NPFWA,” the Nigeria Women Football League Club Owners Chairperson remarked gleefully.

This is because the Club Owners Association of the Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL have threatened to boycott the league in fixed for September if the NWFL body does not fix the anomalies in the administration of the league.

The club owners in the women’s football recently elected new officers with Henrietta Ehiabor leading the reformed association who have promised to bring freshness to the league and ensure that there will be absolute transparency that will bring about the doctrine of checks and balances in the league.

They believed that the composition of the NWFL board is illegal, as it should have representatives of club owners on its board but the existence of caretaker committee for the NWFL in place, could not allow that from happening making the club owners planning a stand off from the league until the NWFL constitutes a legal board. The Club Owners insisted that elections to herald new leadership of NWFL Board are supposed to take place before the new could commence.

A top official of the Club Owners body who spoke with our reporter on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the latest stand of the owners will remain unchanged until the needful is done.

“The election of the new club owners board last week did not sit well with the league body and they have released a statement, saying they only recognize the body led by former chairperson of the association, Mrs. Matilda Otuene.

“This stance from the league body has been interpreted as interference and autocracy and the club owners are ready to repel any form of such in the running of their affairs, as they believe being independent will return accountability and inclusiveness in the leagues.”

Among the issues of concern for the league body is that they said that the chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode, has been running the league like a private business for five years without rendering account of how the league is being run.

This, they said, must come to an end before they agree to start a new season, as they are all critical stakeholders of the league and must be carried along.

The Association held a free and fair election on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Lagos.

NWFLCOA as an independent body has its membership drawn from Clubs that invest in the League, particularly clubs in the NWFL Championship and Premiership.

The election was scheduled by the former Chairperson Matilda Otuene after simple majority activated a part of the constitution that says “an emergency meeting can be called either by the Excos or simple majority.”

26 clubs from the NWFL Premiership and Championship were in attendance with only Pelican Stars not represented.

Barrister Paul Edeh (Naija Ratels), Omokhagbor Sixtus (Edo Queens), Rollanson Odeh (Ibom Angels), Victor Ejiofor (Imo Strikers), Ademola Kiyesola (Moje Queens), Gloria Anta (Oasis) and Kuhwa Jeremiah (Honey Badgers) were in attendance during the fruitful process.

The electoral committee was made up of: A. Hajia Husseina Suleiman – Chairperson Nasarawa Amazons (Chairman), Danny Nazzal – Chairman Dannaz Ladies FC (Member) and C. Alimasan K. Edema – General Manager Royal Queens (Secretary).

NWFLCOA wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, Meet our New Excos;
Ehiabor Henrietta – Chairperson
Muhammed Aminu – Vice Chairman
Abolore AbdulRahmon – Secretary
Silva David – Assistant Secretary
Tosin Ojo – Treasurer
Odogun Kehinde Smith – Financial Secretary
Humphrey Njoku – PRO

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After a transparent exercise, Delta Queens’ Ehiabor Henrietta emerged as the New Chairperson after defeating incumbent Matilda Otuene of Rivers Angels.

The election was scheduled by the former Chairperson Matilda Otuene after simple majority activated a part of the constitution that says “an emergency meeting can be called either by the Excos or simple majority.”

26 clubs from the NWFL Premiership and Championship were in attendance with only Pelican Stars not represented.

Barrister Paul Edeh (Naija Ratels), Omokhagbor Sixtus (Edo Queens), Rollanson Odeh (Ibom Angels), Victor Ejiofor (Imo Strikers), Ademola Kiyesola (Moje Queens), Gloria Anta (Oasis) and Kuhwa Jeremiah (Honey Badgers) were in attendance at the meeting. They also voted at the election.

At the meeting, the Excos were dissolved, three panel electoral committee was set up as stated in the Association’s constitution. Election was properly carried out and winners emerged.

The electoral committee was made up of:

A. Hajia Husseina Suleiman – Chairperson Nasarawa Amazons (Chairman)

B. Danny Nazzal – Chairman Dannaz Ladies FC (Member)

C. Alimasan K. Edema – General Manager Royal Queens (Secretary)

Several elements had tried to restrain the NWFL Club Owners from going on with the transparent process, but the electoral committee headed by Hajia Hussaina went ahead with the elections.

In the election which was conducted at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ehiabor pulled a total of 16 votes to beat Rivers Angels General Manager, Matilda Otuene. Matilda pulled a total of 10 votes.

Aminu Muhammed narrowly defeated FC Robo Queens owner Emmanuel Osahon to the position of Vice Chairman. He had 14 votes against his opponent’s 12.

Abolore Rahman of Dream Stars had 17 votes against Akingbade Temitope (Osun Babes) 9.

Ojo Tosin of Confluence Queens emerged as Treasurer.

Other members of Club Owners board are Kehinde Odogun (Financial Secretary), Humphrey Njoku (PRO) and Sylvia (Assistant Secretary).

The NWFL Club Owners thanked Hajia Hussaina Suleiman of Nasarawa Amazons for a motherly role in the progress of the Association.

The meeting appreciated the leadership of Matilda Otuene for her efforts over the years.

Ehiabor who was immediately sworn in along with the other board members, assured all candidates that she would carry every football stakeholder along in her challenge to move Nigerian women’s football forward.

She said “I accept the very big task now on my shoulder today I hope to discharge my well for the development of women’s football.”

“I want to be at every club owner’s service and that of the Association. I want to be accountable and ensure growth of women’s football in Nigeria.

“As a former board member and General Manager of Delta Force, I understand what growth entails.”