By Alhassan Kutigi

The need to rally support to ensure that Niger Tornados returns to Nigeria’s elite football league, the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL was the topmost agenda during the meeting of the Niger State Football Stakeholders held in Minna Tuesday.  

The meeting of critical football stakeholders, which took place at Matag Luxury Hotel in Minna, was organised under the auspices of Niger State Football Association, with the sole aim of bringing together high and might in Niger State football circle, to brainstorm on how to ensure that Niger Tornadoes gain promotion into the elite division by the end of the 2020/2021 season.

In his welcome address, the Chairman Niger State Football Association, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Alhaji Yabagi Baba said, the essence of the meeting, which is the first of its kind, in the history of football in the state, is aimed at hosting the stakeholders in a round table, to harmonize and deliberate on ways best possible, to ensure the team achieve promotion.

Describing the meeting as apt and timely, the Director of Sports, Niger State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Baba Sheshi, while expressing satisfaction on the meeting, added that Niger Tornadoes has a long standing history and as the supervising ministry would not allow the club to suffer further set back as a results of bickering from different corners, hence the stance of the ministry to provide all the needed support for the current management and therefore, commended the club’s Chairman Hon. Adamu Aliyu for always briefing the ministry in terms of runnings of the club.

In their separate remarks, Ex International and former Niger Tornadoes player Alh. Muktari Shehu a.k.a Wonder, Public Affairs Expert and Sports Analyst, Alh. Shehu Abdullahi and one of the famous Niger Tornadoes supporter, Alh. Abubakar Sayuti among other stakeholders who spoke, emphasizes on the need for the current management to ensure stability of players welfare, level playing ground among management members, adequate support by supporters club, players imposition must be discarded in order to achieve the Club’s set target.

They further advise anyone with the intent of working against the progress of the team to desist, as that is not only retrogressive but tantamount to dwarfing football development in the State.

Responding, the Chairman Niger Tornadoes Management Committee Hon. Adamu Aliyu Mohammed, while describing the meeting as strategic, expressed delight for a meeting of such magnitude, saying, it was an opportunity to interface with those who matters in football affairs in the State, as part of effort to put the club on the right perspective.

While appealing to the stakeholders to put their differences aside and unite behind the team, Adamu Aliyu said his mission and vision for the Club is to see professionals in their chosen field excelling and to also leave a lasting legacy.

He said, himself and others who have served in the same capacity as Chairmen would soon be neutralise, paving way for younger generation of football administrators to emerge, but for now all energy must be channelled towards achieving promotion.

Stakeholders present included, Executive Members of Niger State Football Association, Members of the Niger State Referee council, Members of the Niger Tornadoes Management and Supporters Club amongst others.