New AFN board inaugurated as re-elected president Tonobok Okowa makes key appointments
By Favour Itua
Chief Tonobok Okowa has been re-elected as President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) following a successful election exercise. The new AFN board, comprising 11 members, has been officially inaugurated to oversee the federation's affairs for the next term.
Ladan Abubakar Zurmi was elected as the First Vice President, while Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze emerged as the Second Vice President. Other elected members of the board include Gabriel Okon, Samuel Okiekwu, Fatima Yusuf, Professor Frank Atare, Lekan Soetan, Adamu Babayo, Oluyomi Sule, and Victor Okorie.
Shortly after taking the oath of office for his second term, Chief Okowa announced the appointment of Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe as the Auditor of the Federation. Dr. Oredipe is the current Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association and founder of Samkay Athletics Club. He was also a candidate for the South-South Zonal Representative slot in the recent election held in Benin City, Edo State.
A former middle-distance athlete, Dr. Oredipe is an Assistant Director, News at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and currently serves as Director-General, New Media to the Governor of Bayelsa State.
In addition to Dr. Oredipe, Chief Okowa also announced the appointments of ace sports broadcaster Dr. Nneka Nkem Anibieze as Chief Operating Officer of the AFN, Barrister Bamidele Edokpaye as Legal Adviser, and Mr. Babajide Odedeji as Safeguarding Officer.
Meanwhile, the race for the Coaches/Technical Officials representative slot remains unresolved, as Solomon Aliyu and Professor Ogunjimi are locked in a tight contest. The election for that position has been postponed, with a new date yet to be announced by the electoral committee.
The inauguration of the new board is expected to usher in a fresh era of stability and progress for Nigerian athletics.
Stakeholders have expressed confidence that the re-election of Tonobok Okowa will help consolidate previous achievements and ensure improved preparations for upcoming national and international competitions.
