News Agency of Nigeria
NANPF hails Tinubu on Nigeria-Brazil aviation deal
Sports

NANPF hails Tinubu on Nigeria-Brazil aviation deal

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By Victor Okoye

The Nigeria Association of National Professional Footballers (NANPF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement, signed during Tinubu’s official visit to Brazil, is expected to improve air travel and boost sporting and professional exchanges between both countries.

CSP Chijioke Kalu, NANPF Director of Players’ Safety and Security, told NAN on Friday that the agreement could transform Nigerian football through strategic collaboration with Brazilian and South American football clubs.

He said the deal would enhance player exchange, technical partnerships, and competitive exposure for Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs.

Kalu noted that Brazil enjoys global football prestige, having produced legends like Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar, and winning five FIFA World Cup titles.

He said Brazil’s experience hosting the FIFA World Cup and Olympics offers valuable insights for Nigeria in football infrastructure and stadium safety.

Kalu added that Brazil’s expertise in facility maintenance and crowd control management could benefit Nigerian football administrators and the NPFL.

He urged the NPFL, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and other leagues to act fast in leveraging the aviation deal’s opportunities.

He called for proactive engagement with Brazilian football bodies on youth development, training camps, friendlies, and scouting exchanges.

President Tinubu confirmed the deal on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle following his visits to Japan and Brazil.

He said the agreement aligns with his government’s goal of restoring Nigeria’s global standing and driving reforms.

Tinubu said the Japan trip focused on technology and industry, while Brazil opened new cooperation in aviation, trade, and sports.

Kalu, who is also a board member of the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, noted wider benefits for other sports.

He said Brazil’s leadership in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts presents opportunities for Nigerian athletes and coaches.

He said Nigerian fighters could access Brazilian training camps, take part in coaching exchanges, and compete internationally.

Kalu advised sports authorities to include martial arts in future exchange programmes with Brazil.

He urged them to learn from Brazil’s successful sports infrastructure and training systems to grow Nigeria’s sports sector.

Kalu said Brazil has become a global sports leader by leveraging its expertise in football and combat sports.

He described the Nigeria-Brazil aviation deal as a strategic opportunity for long-term development and international sports diplomacy.

Kalu said proper planning can unlock career paths, raise standards, and deliver lasting value for Nigerian sports. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NANPF urges fair hearing in Adeyinka’s betting allegation
Sports

NANPF urges fair hearing in Adeyinka’s betting allegation

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By Victor Okoye

The National Association of Nigerian Professional Footballers (NANPF) has urged the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to ensure due process in Adewale Adeyinka’s betting allegation case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NPFL suspended the registration of Plateau United goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka over allegations of involvement in insider betting.

A statement by the NPFL on Aug. 5 said Adeyinka was accused by his club of insider betting during the 2024/2025 NPFL2 season.

The call was made in a letter addressed to the NPFL Chief Operating Officer by NANPF chairman, Sunday Abe, a former Nigerian international on Monday in Abuja, and made available to NAN.

The union expressed concern over Adeyinka’s suspension and media exposure before an investigation was concluded, describing it as prejudicial.

NANPF said the action could undermine trust in the league’s disciplinary process and cause lasting damage to the player’s reputation.

The union acknowledged NPFL’s anti-betting stance but stressed that justice must be fair, proportionate, and not based on unproven claims.

According to NANPF, Adeyinka has not been formally notified of the allegations, yet details were circulated in the media.

NANPF drew a parallel with the biblical story of Adam, who was given a chance to respond to allegations in the Garden of Eden.

It urged NPFL to apply the same principle by granting Adeyinka a fair hearing before imposing any sanctions.

The union suggested a temporary ban from match participation instead of full deregistration, pending the investigation’s outcome.

NANPF Executive Secretary, Comrade Austin Popo, said justice must prevail without harming careers prematurely.

He reiterated NANPF’s commitment to integrity in football while calling for a balanced approach to handling such cases.

The union expressed confidence that NPFL would act with fairness, professionalism, and uphold the integrity of the league.(NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NANPF demands contract compliance to safeguard players
Sports

NANPF demands contract compliance to safeguard players

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By Victor Okoye

The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has urged the Nigeria Football Federation Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (NFF-PSAC) to urgently convene and resolve more than 100 outstanding contractual disputes.

The call comes as the 2025/2026 football season is set to kick off later this month.

According to the union, the unresolved cases include illegal contract terminations, unpaid salaries, outstanding transfer fees, and the withholding of players’ clearances.

The union said such issues directly threaten the welfare and careers of affected players.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NANPF President and former international, Sunday Abe, expressed concern over the number of cases and the potential impact on the integrity of the domestic league.

“More than 100 cases require immediate attention. If left unresolved, they could seriously derail the careers of many players.

“The league exists because of the players, and their rights must be protected, “Abe said.

He added that while the union appreciates the past efforts of the NFF-PSAC, time is of the essence, and the committee must act swiftly to address the backlog before the season begins.

“Addressing these disputes will not only restore confidence in the system but also promote fairness and professionalism across the league,” he said.

The NANPF stressed that timely resolutions would encourage greater transparency and accountability among clubs and league administrators, while also fostering trust within the football community.

The players’ union reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding players’ rights as the season approaches.

It urged all football authorities to ensure clubs fulfil contractual obligations at every level of the Nigerian league system. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NANPF appoints CSP Kalu as director of players’ safety
General News

NANPF appoints CSP Kalu as director of players’ safety

295 total views today

By Victor Okoye

The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has appointed CSP Kalu Chijioke as its Director of Players’ Safety and Security.

The appointment was confirmed on Tuesday in a formal letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, through the Force Sports Officer, CP Tony Emefile.

NANPF, which is affiliated with both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), advocates for the rights and welfare of professional footballers in the country.

The union is led by former Nigerian international, Abe Sunday.

In the letter, NANPF called the appointment a strategic move aimed at improving players’ welfare and enhancing safety standards within Nigerian football.

The association expressed confidence in CSP Kalu’s experience and commitment to safeguarding athletes.

It stated that his leadership would drive the development and implementation of critical safety and security policies on and off the field.

“CSP Kalu’s passion and proven track record make him the right choice for this vital role, his expertise would provide robust safety guidance for all professional footballers,” the union stated.

NANPF called for the full support of law enforcement agencies and relevant sports bodies to ensure the success of the initiative.

The appointment reflects NANPF’s ongoing commitment to raising safety standards for professional athletes in Nigeria.

CSP Kalu Chijioke Erem, a member of the NPF Sports Planning Committee, also serves on the board of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation and is a member of the NOC Technical & Development Committee.

He brings over 20 years of policing experience to the role, aimed at strengthening player welfare and security in Nigerian football. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

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