Nigerian Football
Back to the Skies: Shooting Stars will Chart a Brave New Course under new chairman, says Dimeji Lawal
General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Dimeji Lawal, has expressed strong optimism about a promising new era for the historic Ibadan-based football club, following the appointment of Taiwo Lekan Salami as the new Executive Chairman.
In a statement issued by the club’s media officer, Tosin Omojola, Dimeji Lawal is quoted as anticipating a new era for the club.
Popularly known in football circles as Kabongo, Dimeji Lawal praised the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what he described as a visionary and strategic move in appointing Salami, a respected businessman and sports enthusiast, to lead the club’s revival.
The club’s general manager is quoted as having told the Shooting Stars Media that he greatly appreciated the efforts of the immediate past chairman of the club, Babatunde Olaniyan, who is popularly known as “Akoro.”
Lawal, a former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles winger who also played for Femo Scorpions, Julius Berger, and the Shooting Stars (3SC) in his active days, began by acknowledging the efforts of the club’s immediate past chairman, Babatunde Olaniyan “Akoro.”
“To start with, I want to appreciate His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, who has never hidden his intention to return the glory days of Shooting Stars,” said Lawal.
“His Excellency’s appointment of Akoro was not a mistake. He laid a solid foundation and brought some level of transformation to the club. However, we all understand that true growth takes time. Now, with Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami, I believe the governor has once again made a wise and deliberate choice — the right peg in the round hole.”
Lawal described Salami as a man driven by passion, pedigree, and purpose. He emphasised the chairman’s strong family ties to football — a legacy deeply rooted in the very identity of the club, whose iconic Lekan Salami Stadium is named after his late father, Chief Lekan Salami, under whose leadership 3SC enjoyed one of its most glorious eras.
“In Honourable Salami, I see a man ready to break new ground and restore Shooting Stars to its rightful position — not just in Nigerian football, but on the continental and global stages,” Lawal noted. “He comes from a football-loving family, and he possesses vast knowledge of how a professional club should be structured and run.”
The 3SC boss further pointed out that the new chairman’s stature in politics, sports, and business gives him the leverage to open new doors for the club, especially in the areas of sponsorship, infrastructure, and youth development.
“The name Lekan Salami carries a legacy that commands respect and influence. Add to that, Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami himself is a man of influence, who has already hit the ground running.
“From my interactions with him, it’s clear that he is determined to lift this club beyond its current standing,” Kabongo added.
Lawal believes that with Salami’s leadership, 3SC is set for a transformational journey that could see the club reclaim its historical status among Nigeria’s football elite — and even surpass past achievements.
“All he has outlined is achievable. His energy, conviction, and strategic thinking show that no obstacle is too great if the will is strong. It is indeed the dawn of a new era for this great club,” he said.
He concluded by calling for the collective support of all stakeholders — fans, former players, sponsors, and government — to rally behind the new chairman’s vision.
“With unity and support, I foresee 3SC reclaiming its rightful place in Nigerian football and returning to continental prominence under the leadership of Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami,” Lawal stated.
Shooting Stars, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most storied football clubs, has seen fluctuating fortunes in recent years.
With this fresh leadership, stakeholders are hopeful that the club can once again rise to become a dominant force on and off the pitch.
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Rivers United head coach and technical manager, Finidi George, has praised young defender Ochiobi Elias following his outstanding performance in the club’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture on Wednesday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The left-back, who played the full 90 minutes, was instrumental in helping Rivers United maintain a clean sheet, marking one of his most confident outings since his promotion to the senior squad.
Finidi, visibly impressed after the match, revealed that his decision to give Elias a full game was driven by trust in the player’s potential, despite his limited minutes earlier in the season.
“I think he did well. Normally, we should have been bringing him in gradually — maybe 15 minutes before giving him a 90-minute match,” Finidi said. “But I trust him, and I’ve spoken to him. He should be relaxed, calm down, and play his football.”
The coach also highlighted a near-miss moment when Elias came close to scoring late in the game, a chance Finidi felt could have crowned his stellar performance.
“I think today he would have scored a goal at the last moment, but he still wanted to square the ball, look for somebody,” Finidi added. “I’m quite happy with his performance, and we will keep encouraging him to do better. I am very, very pleased.”
Elias, a product of the Rivers United youth team that won the NPFL Youth League in 2024, has been gradually integrated into the first team under Finidi’s guidance. His performance on Wednesday is seen as a major step forward in his development and a sign of his growing confidence.
The youngster is now expected to retain his place in the squad as Rivers United travel to Aba this Sunday for a crucial NPFL clash against Enyimba.
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Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the President Federation Cup, GTI Group, have congratulated the football governing body on the successful hosting of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, GTI’s Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, lauded the NFF Board under the leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the smooth conduct of the AGM and the significant progress made in Nigerian football development.
According to Ekejiuba, the Ibadan meeting reflected Gusau’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and strengthening unity across the football ecosystem.
“GTI Group congratulates the Nigeria Football Federation on the successful outcome of its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, which the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, used the occasion to demonstrate his commitment to engaging positively with football stakeholders, including state football associations, clubs and fans,” he said.
“His interactions with the various groups at the AGM showcased his impactful leadership and dedication to promoting Nigerian football and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Ekejiuba also highlighted the Super Falcons’ recent achievements and the growth of domestic competitions, particularly the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), as key milestones recorded under Gusau’s leadership. GTI serves as a strategic partner of the NPFL, supporting its structural and commercial transformation.
The statement further expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for their hospitality and support during the AGM. Ekejiuba noted the governor’s commendation of the improved standard of refereeing in the NPFL under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye.
However, GTI also used the opportunity to express disappointment over the early exit of Kwara United and Abia Warriors from the CAF Confederation Cup, urging Nigerian clubs to raise their competitive standards on the continental stage.
“It is unfortunate that both Kwara United and Abia Warriors crashed out at the preliminary phase of the CAF Confederation Cup last weekend. This clearly shows that Nigerian clubs must raise their game in order to compete favourably,” the statement read.
“The future remains bright, but that is why GTI has been calling on Corporate Nigeria to invest more in our football, just as is done in thriving leagues across the world.”
Ekejiuba also extended words of encouragement to Remo Stars and Rivers United, who are still flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League.
“We encourage them to dig deep and remain focused to ensure successful campaigns. They should give Nigerian football fans something to cheer this season because we understand how demanding continental competitions can be,” he concluded.
GTI Group reaffirmed its continued commitment to working closely with the NFF to advance football development, promote professionalism, and attract sustainable investment into the Nigerian game.
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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has queried Warri Wolves following reports of the suspension of their head coach, Aluma Napoleon, faulting the club’s failure to comply with established procedures for contracting and registering technical officials.
In a letter titled “Notarization and Registration of Contracts” and signed by the NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league body directed the Delta-based club to regularize all contractual documentation with its technical and management staff in line with NPFL regulations.
The NPFL’s letter stated:
“Information reaching us from the media space suggests that the Delta State Sports Commission has suspended your head coach, Mr. Aluma Napoleon, with immediate effect.”
Citing Sections B, Articles 6 and 11 of the NPFL 2025/26 Framework and Rules, the league reminded Warri Wolves that all clubs are required to submit notarized contracts of their officials for registration and record purposes.
“You are, however, in breach of these sections as Warri Wolves FC have not submitted the contracts of its officials to the League Board. You are hereby requested, within twenty-four hours of receiving this letter, to submit all relevant contracts of your technical team, including that of the assumed suspended head coach, Mr. Napoleon Aluma, to the NPFL Secretariat,” the letter warned.
The NPFL further cautioned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including restricting Warri Wolves’ technical crew from accessing the bench in subsequent league matches.
“Note that failure to comply with this instruction will lead to the restriction of your technical team from accessing the technical area in future NPFL matches,” the league stated.
In a related statement to NPFL Media, COO Davidson Owumi stressed that the Warri Wolves case was not isolated, adding that all clubs yet to register the contracts of their technical officials must do so without delay.
“I must admonish all coaches to get hold of their contracts and lodge a report with the NPFL when there is a violation of the terms. It is the responsibility of the aggrieved to petition the league at all times,” Owumi emphasized.
The NPFL has been tightening administrative controls in recent seasons to ensure transparency, professionalism, and adherence to contractual obligations across all participating clubs.
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