The Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness (Dr.) Umar Farouq Bahago has assured Coach Bala Abubakar and Niger Tornadoes that traditional institutions and Minna fans will massively support the team in its quest for trophies when the new Nigeria Professional Football League kicks off in January.

Speaking when a delegation of the Ikoh Allah Boys led by amiable Coach Bala paid homage to the Paramount Ruler in his Palace during the week.

The Emir assured Bala and the team, that with the support of the palace and the good people of Niger State, Tornadoes will record successes this season.

“It was wise of you, on behalf of the club to come to seek my royal blessings. I want to wish the team and its officials well and I’m certain that at the end of the season, Niger Tornadoes will finish among the top teams.”

A delighted Coach Bala while presenting a signed replica of Tornadoes’ jersey and match balls to the palace, the Emir for his kind words and assured that Tornadoes will give 200 per cent of its best and compete well this season.

“I want to use this medium to express my heartfelt appreciation to our Royal Father, the Emir of Minna for his royal blessings, as it’s the best tonic we needed going into the new league season.”

Meanwhile, despite still basking in the euphoria of being crowned the 2022 Gusau/Ahlan Cup Pre-season Tourney champions in Kano, Bala said the team will not rest on its oars, as Tornadoes is still a team in progress.

“I want to choose my words carefully, Yes we are champions of the Gusau/Ahlan Cup, but that doesn’t mean Tornadoes will have an easy ride when the season comes.

“Mind you it’s going to be a marathon and a different ball game entirely as there are tougher NPFL teams. Tornadoes will be ready, play no team with respect but take the matches as they come.”

In a separate development, Coach Bala Abubakar has added another award to his shelf after the Niger Tornadoes Fans Club honoured him with an award for Excellence Performance.

The award was presented to him at the club secretariat Saturday morning by top officials of the Niger Tornadoes Fans Club.

In a quest to have a successful and hitch-free season, Abubakar Bala has urged the Tornadoes Management Committee (TMC) to do more for the club, as he dedicated the Gusau/Ahlan Cup pre-season tourney trophy to Honourable Adamu Aliyu.

Speaking on his team’s feat as they countdown to the December 28th, NPFL new season kickoff date, Bala has assured Tornadoes fans to expect the best from his team.

“Winning the Gusau/Ahlan preseason tournament is the right tonic my team needs going into the season.

“I recall Honourable Adamu Aliyu’s words of encouragement after we lost our first group match to Gombe United, that it would end up being a blessing in disguise and we will win the cup, that has now come to pass.

“This victory has exposed our weaknesses and strength which we shall work on, as the team is a work in progress.

“I want to sincerely appeal to the management in ensuring the club continues its preparations and does not relax in its oars, just as it happened last season because of lack of funds which was responsible for the bad start and genesis of our relegation struggles.

“We appeal to all fans and supporters to solidly get behind the team with prayers for our only State darling club.

“We are sincerely grateful to the Chairman of the Tornadoes Management Committee and his members, as we dedicate this trophy to Honourable Adamu Aliyu as his support is our source of inspiration, as we wish ourselves the best in the new season.”

Bala whose coaching pedigree, speaks volumes defied the odds to beat other teams for the 2022 edition of the Gusau/Ahlan Cup.

The Ikon Allah had started their campaign on a shocking 3-0 loss to fellow Nigeria Professional Football League side Gombe United, but that did not deter the team from cruising to the final. And as faith would have it, they came face-to-face with the Savannah Scorpions in an epic battle for the top prize.

Tornadoes turned the tie around this time, as they took the game to Gombe United and won the trophy.

Their efforts paid off in the 38th minute with the only goal of the game. A fast break away, after they turn defending into the attack, saw David Okoromi fouled in the box, leaving the referee to point to the spot for a penalty and Waheed Adebayo made no mistake in putting the ball at the back of the goal.

Honourable Adamu Aliyu is an astute Sports Administrator per excellence and manager of minds; whose work ethic is faultless, who knows his onions, and who is passionate about the beautiful round leather game (football), across all levels in Nigeria.

You can not talk about the achievements recorded by Niger Tornadoes within the last 10 years without a mention of Honourable Adamu Aliyu and his management team, and hold them in high esteem as he’s not a ‘BULLY’ but a leader who carries everyone in the management along. All are geared towards achieving set targets for Niger Tornadoes.

Honourable Adamu Aliyu may have his shortcomings as a leader by his critics but the many that have worked closely with him, regard him as an administrator with the ‘Magic Wand’.

He is also the ‘Mr. Fix It, as he has a record of helping Tornadoes gain promotion, by winning playoffs, qualifying them to big finals and playing in the CAF inter-club championships.

Twice appointed in 2015 and 2021 as Chairman of Tornadoes Management Committee (TMC) and Chairman of Tornadoes, the club founded in 1977, were crowned champions of the Nigeria National League, for the third time and twice with Honourable Aliyu in 2015 and 2021 in an epic final against Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the NNL Super 8 Playoffs in Enugu.

In 2017, precisely 17 years after they were crowned winners of the Challenge Cup now AITEO Cup, they played in the final and carried Nigeria’s flag in the continent again.

His First Coming:
2017- As Chairman of the Tornadoes Management Committee (TMC), Hon. Adamu Aliyu worked round the clock with the State Government in ensuring that the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna, reopened after two years to host NPFL matches.

Aliyu institutionalized the ‘Chairman Personal Performance Reward’ to boost the morale of the team going into matches.

With the world being a Global Village and the emerging trend of social media, the club under him launched its website: www.nigertornadoesfc.com.ng, ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League season 2016/2017.
The essence was to create a football social community and network for the team.

His Second Coming:
In the 2017/2018 season after being given a bigger assignment by the Niger State Government, Honourable Aliyu, made his 2nd coming to the club after it was relegated to the NNL, this led to the immediate dissolution of all the structures of the team by Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Governor of the State.

Aliyu, who headed the new management committee was tasked to work assiduously towards bringing back the team to the NPFL.

His appointment yielded instant success, as he turned the fortune of the club around within a short period. The Ikon Allah boys became a team that challenge for titles.

The club under his stewardship made headlines when it beat favourites Rivers United in the semi-final at the Agege Stadium, Lagos to qualify for the final of the AITEO Cup and secured a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

The final against Akwa United was a thriller as the Bala Abubakar side gave it their best but lost on penalties.

Coach Abubakar Bala who is fresh from National Assignment with the Flying Eagles of Nigeria is no doubt one of the most sorts after coaches in the Nigeria League today, evidence is several clubs that are still on his neck vying for his signature, even though former Kwara United Coach had since committed his future to the Ikon Allah Boys having reached a contractual agreement with Niger Tornadoes pending official unveiling.

The Minna-born tactician is not new to the Aiteo Cup competition haven led Tornadoes to the finals in 2017 in his first attempt.

His Third Coming:
2021- Season-Niger Tornadoes chairman, Honourable Adamu Aliyu has thumbed up the personal interests shown to the club by the State Government led by His Excellency Abubakar Sani Bello which has helped to ensure they are on the cusp of a return to Nigeria Professional Football League.

That they did this in style as they won the NNL Super in Enugu to the delight of the good and football-loving people of Niger State.

After gaining promotion to the NPFL, the news of the iconic Bako Kontagora Stadium not being fit to host Premier League matches by the League Management Company (LMC), many saw as a blow below the belt.

The news didn’t deter Honourable Adamu Aliyu, as he wore his thinking cap, in search of an alternative suitable ground for the team.

Ikon Allah finally settle for the Ilorin Township Stadium. When things seem not to be going well for the team, they had to sort for another alternative stadium, this saw them having some of their home matches from Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, Jos International Stadium, Jos and finally MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

This almost cost them the season, but Honourable Adamu Aliyu being the Captain of the Ship, was able to steer the ship clear of the stormy waters, despite the limited resources owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a toll on World Economy.

Credit must go to his trusted and talented Lieutenant, Coach Bala who became the first management to play 19 home matches away from home and did not relegate, as he held a firm grip on his team and made them stay off the drop zone with that emphatic win against MFM FC away from home.

Suleja Local Government have emerged champions of 2019/ 2020 Niger State governors’ cup, after edging Chanchaga local government 5-3 on penalty shoots out, as normal duration ended 0-0 at Sani bello football complex- Kontagora Niger state.

The 39 edition of power state annual competition was historic in nature, as the finalists displayed good football artistry which rivet the attention of over 5,000 bystanders and other top dignitaries who thronged Sani bello football field in their large numbers; Suleja FC and Chanchaga FC had to stretched out themselves to penalties after normal duration ended nil all draw.

The highlights of this year’s final were centred around reigning champ (Suleja local government), as they continued to show brilliance in all their displays on that day. Although, the neatness of Sani bello football complex, was advantageous to Chanchaga FC football fans seeing them everywhere at the stadium – cheering their team passionately but the eventual winners were not technically and tactically pressured by the fans antics throughout the encounter.

Based on facts, match odds did not really favor Suleja as book makers and punters believed Chanchaga FC would coast home to victory hinging it on the motivation by its local government chairman who had promised to compensate them handsomely, if they win this year’s Niger state governors cup final.

Meanwhile, host city, Kontagora walked over Katcha local government in the third place match -prior to the finals. The third place match was scheduled for 8am, however, Katcha FC came about 9am, after giving grace of 20 minutes by the local organising committee. The organizers felt Katcha were nonchalant to the rules of football thus, they activated the section of football statutes which frowns at such scenario in a football competition.

En route the final match, Chanchaga local government and Kontagora played 3-2 on penalties whilst Suleja FC defeated Katcha local government 4-3 on penalties.

Historically, Suleja local government have now hoists Niger state governors cup 11 times, trailing this year’s runners up -Chanchaga local government, who has won lifted the diadem 13 good times since inception of the tournament in 1980.

This year’s outstanding performers :

Highest goals scorer; Emmanuel John, from Kontagora FC – clinched the golden ball award with 7 goals.

Most valuable player; Chanchaga FC midfielder -Mohammed Ajayi was adjudged as MVP.

Best goalkeeper;

Suleja FC’s Junior Kolo went home with the golden gloves.

Moreover, the 2019/2020 Niger state governors cup was keenly contested between 24 teams from 25 local governments in the state, which obviously is one the memorable takeaways from this year’s 2 weeks marathon of – epic football showpiece in Niger state.