Chief Robert Onyeani Describes Newstap/SWAN Award Nomination as Honour, Vows to Do More for Grassroots Football

Proprietor of grassroots football outfit Ahudiya Nnem FC, Chief Robert Onyeani, has expressed deep gratitude and honour following his nomination as one of the recipients of the prestigious Newstap/Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Award.

Chief Onyeani made this known on Tuesday when the top management of Newstap Communications, publishers of newstap.com.ng, led by the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. George Aluo, formally presented him with his letter of nomination.

Speaking while receiving the letter, the Ahudiya Nnem FC proprietor admitted that the nomination came as a pleasant surprise, describing it as a clear indication that his grassroots football efforts are being noticed and appreciated.

“I never expected to be nominated for this award; it came to me as a surprise,” Chief Onyeani said. “What it shows is that people are watching what I am doing, and I’m highly honoured to be nominated.”

He added that the recognition would further motivate him to intensify his commitment to grassroots football development across the country, while outlining ambitious plans for his club’s future.

“This award will challenge me to do more for football. Right now, we are putting modalities in place to ensure that Ahudiya Nnem FC becomes a household name not just in Nigeria but across the continent,” he stated. “In the next three years, by the grace of God, we will achieve that target.”

Chief Onyeani’s nomination places him among a distinguished list of personalities recognised for their contributions to sports development in Nigeria. Other nominees for this year’s award include the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri; the CEO and Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), His Excellency Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; CEO of Nilayo Sports, Mrs. Yetunde Olopade; and internationally acclaimed boxing promoter, Hon. Omonlei Yakubu Imadu.

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on March 6 at the Blessing Hall of Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos, with proceedings set to begin at 5:00 pm. The maiden edition of the award was chaired by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko.

Chief Onyeani’s recognition further underscores the growing importance of grassroots football as a foundation for sustainable sports development in Nigeria.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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