Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as pragmatic steps toward repositioning sports administration in Nigeria.
Governor Diri gave the commendation on Monday while declaring open the 2026 Extraordinary General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa. He was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe.
The governor expressed optimism that the President’s decision to transition sports administration from a ministry structure to a commission-based system would enhance efficiency and bring governance closer to athletes and stakeholders.
“Those of us in sports who have experienced this structure before believe it will be more people-oriented and deliver better outcomes, especially for sportsmen and women,” he said.
Diri also commended the Federal Government’s initiative to revitalize the National Sports Institute, noting that the facility had suffered years of neglect.
“For a long time, the state of the National Stadium and the institute was discouraging. However, we are glad to see signs of revival. We appreciate Mr. President for taking practical steps to restore these critical institutions,” he added.
The governor further expressed satisfaction with ongoing refurbishment works at the National Stadium in Abuja and extended goodwill to the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, noting that expectations remain high among Nigerians.
He appreciated the NFF for choosing Bayelsa State as host of the extraordinary assembly and urged delegates to uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity in their deliberations.
According to him, “The future of Nigerian football depends not only on talent but also on credibility and sound governance.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports development, Diri highlighted ongoing construction of a 30,000-capacity FIFA-standard stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa. He said the project is aimed at positioning Bayelsa as a hub for national and international sporting events.
“Beyond competitions, we are investing in infrastructure that will drive long-term growth. This facility will inspire young talents and enable them to compete globally while attracting major tournaments to the state,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its continued support for sports development. He urged delegates to prioritize national interest and embrace reforms that align with global best practices.
Dikko emphasized the need for inclusiveness in the reform process, ensuring that key stakeholders—including players, coaches, referees, leagues, and administrators—are adequately represented, while promoting transparency and accountability.
Also speaking, NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, said the extraordinary congress was convened to deliberate on reforms aimed at strengthening football administration and preparing for the federation’s elective congress scheduled for September.
Representatives of FIFA and Confederation of African Football—Solomon Mudege and Nadim Magdy, respectively—pledged their organizations’ support for the NFF’s governance reforms and commended the Bayelsa State Government for its hospitality.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali; NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; executive committee members; chairmen and secretaries of state football associations; and representatives of various football leagues, coaches, referees, and players’ unions.
— Report filed by Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State.
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