Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 1st Vice-President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will on Wednesday have the honour to officially kickoff the new season of the Nationwide League One (NLO).

Akinwunmi, head of Lagos State football’s governing body will perform the ceremonial kickoff in a Lagos Derby between Smart City FC and Gbagada FC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere-Lagos.

An official statement from the Media Department of the NLO further informed that the NFF Chairman of Youth Football Development Committee and other top dignitaries in Nigeria’s football family, Chairman NFF Technical and Development Committee, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Chairman NLO Alhaji Mohamed Alkali, Vice Chairman NLO Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and NLO Chief Operating Officer (COO) Olushola Ogunnowo will be guest at the Teslim Balogun Stadium to watch the game.

According to the statement, Ogunnowo, the COO of the nation’s third-tier league, “Wednesday March 16 is less than 72 hours away to the new NLO season kickoff, everyone, the clubs, players and indeed every fan can’t wait to catch a glimpse of top grassroot football in the country.

“It’s been a long wait, which off course is not deliberate but for the good of the clubs as we needed to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the country, for us to take a final decision on if to maintain the Stadium League format or revert to the proper full season.

“We are glad to have the full season format back and nonetheless clubs are to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 rules before and after matches.

“Meanwhile, clubs too have used the waiting window to prepare themselves for the new season with proper scouting of talents, playing tune-up matches and taking part in a pre-season invitational tournaments, like the one that was held in Ikenne, that’s the Evolution Cup.

“Coaches in the NLO were not left out as many were participants in the 2nd edition of NLO/Berackiah Grassroot Football Coaching Clinic, which ended a few weeks ago in the six geo-political zones.

“Having the NFF 1st Vice President Akinwummi and other top dignitaries here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium shows the NLO’s commitment in ensuring that we catch up with the new trends in grassroot football, which is the foundation of our football development,” Ogunnowo said.

However, football fans living in Surulere, and other suburbs of Lagos are invited to come watch sublime football at the grassroot, as the kick off for the encounter between Smart City FC and Gbagada FC is 3pm.

The chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Committee Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and the chairman Nigeria Nationwide League, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali have expressed their delight over the Gombe State FA Award scheduled for Saturday 3rd July, 2021

The award ceremony is organized to honour distinguished personalities in the area of leadership, grassroot development and administration in the country, by the Mr. Yakubu Sarma led Gombe State Football Association.

Fourteen awardees have been penciled down, including His Excellency, Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Executive Governor of Gombe State; His Royal Highness Abubabar Shehu Abubakar III, Emir of Gombe, Barrister Seyi Akinwumi, NFF 1st Vice President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Chairman of Chairmen amongst others.

Few years ago, May 23, 1970 was a day off for people residing in the area where a King of Grassroots football development in Nigeria was birthed.

This was the moppet that became Comrade Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’, which I nicknamed as “Jesu ti oni igee”, meaning Jesus without big a chest.

Upon his arrival into this world, herald angels went around the nation to announce the arrival of this small king and of course, his news was therapeutic for everyone in that community, as it created atmosphere of endless joy whilst receiving the news. 

In fact, eye witnessess confirmed that even witches and wizards, naysayers and other unauthorized messsgers bowed because Fresh came into this with heaven’s factory- fitted anointing of greatness. In other words, Ahmed Yusuf was behallowed by almighty Allah, so nefarious beings had to be “Still” because his case was thou shalt not touch my anointed Man; reason Fresh has been a mystery for evil plotters from gestation period.

Is Ahmed Fresh a Man from Grass to Grace? Oh yes, he’s, base on his life’s  journey(s) thus far:  

He hails from a family that values proper Education thus, it would be immature for people to postulate, Fresh didn’t go to school as I consider it Bunkum. Authoritatively, Ahmed fresh passed through the Pedagogy of quality Education, from Chiroma primary school to Government day Secondary school- both in Minna, Niger state . Fresh is someone with foresight, he didn’t hesitate to further more on his Education, as he attended Kaduna State Polytechnic where he acquired knowledge in “Quantity Surveyor”

Ahmed Yusuf in football industry :

The “F” in his alias stands for Football, this is connected to why he derives pleasure in developing football Talent(s) at the grassroot level. The Golden Jubilee Ahmed Yusuf became Niger State Football Association outset of Millennium (year 2000). Prior to this period, Football administrators and stakeholders in the Power State have besieged his home countless times where people continuously bespeak him to come pilot the affairs of football structures in Niger State. 

Ahmed Fresh was having inertia towards such request but it was not as though, he is paranoia agent, however he believes God does his wonders accurately; Hence, he decided to leave his Cocoon and those with inalienable Rights-enthroned him as the State’s football chairman. 

Little bit of  Fresh Air in Niger State Football Association:

Ahmed Fresh moves about with Pod that contains action in motion. He understood that, becoming the head of football house means, you must be a Supreme thinker. So, he set up a Committee that was charged with identifying the encumbrance(s) of Niger State Football Association and its structures. 

Having explored what truly went wrong, this Committee of deep thinkers came up with their findings and of course, Fresh as a critical thinker agreed to work on what was given to him and even added his own magistral solutions for the maladies discovered in Niger State Football environment. 

There are over 22 Local Government(s) in Niger State with Eight (8) Emirates council. As an intelligent person, he created chain(s) of football developmental programs for all the 8 Emirates in the Power State and that gave birth to different football talents in his State. He uses football to preach Unity all over Niger State because he’s a Freshman with toga of Peace. 

Jagaban of Nigeria Football Federation :

Ahmed Yusuf is one of the three star General(s) in Nigeria Football Federation hierarchical structures. We have renowned Football administrator, Chief Felix Anyasi Agu from Abia and also Honorable Yahaya Suleiman Kwande representative of Jos. Historically, these are the three Musketeers in Nigeria football systems chronologically.

Comrade Ahmed Yusuf has been nominated for appointment at Confederation of Africa Football ( CAF), as a member of Technical and Development Committee for sixth term, 12 years of serving African Football. 

He had Served as Chairman in various Committees at Nigeria football federation: inter Alia;  Committee of Youth Development in NFF. Referees Appointment Committee, Match Commissioners Appointment Committee,  Technical and Development Committee and as a Strategist at one point, he was the Vice Chairman Strategy Committee et al. 

My aim is not to bore my readers, football administrators, stakeholders and Ahmed Yusuf (Fresh) community  of friends but to make his 50th birthday celebration a fulfilling day; which should allow the whole world to know Fresh’s personality. Let me say this, to those who know Fresh remotely, and have illegitimately deduced his personality. For the record, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh is not a proud person neither is he infallible. 

He’s a Self effacing personality, not a Sociopath but a Socializer. For his persona, he’s a patriot, and very passionate about moving Nigeria football systems forward, sufficient to say, Fresh is not a Psychopath.  

Today is your birthday, I wish you well, a complete Nigerian who never stopped exhibition of his altruistic nature to people from different Ethnic groups, Religious beliefs in Nigeria and globally. 

Unknown facts, Fresh is “Laissez -Faire” kind of person. He minds his business and wants everyone to succeed. You are celebrating your 50th birthday in good health condition, I know the wind of life is changing you from who you are but don’t let the society configure you wrongly. 

You are a Freshman, you should be in control of Air, I want you to be the Airbender. No doubt, the responsibility of being a leading figure can be staggering but every great man has tripped. This is not a problem but it becomes a permanent challenge when you remain on the floor. 

Remember that, Every king was a crying baby Boy and every Queen was a crying baby Girl. bear in mind that, my note of Eulogy is not a Syrupy.

Happy birthday to SARDAUNA KWALLON of Nigeria Football.