*Former athletes Fatima Yusuf, Gab Okon, Olu Sule, Lekan Soetan in new 11-member board

Tonobok Okowa was given another fresh four years mandate yesterday to lead the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as President. He was elected almost unopposed at the Elective Congress of the federation which held in Abuja on Thursday.

The coast was made clear for Okowa following the withdrawal of three of the candidates who were going to give him a run for the exalted office in Nigeria’s track & field. Both Itiako Ikpokpo and Omatseye Nesiama could not reach the AFN board talk-less of contesting the presidency. Sunday Adeleye also failed to make the board.

Okowa and Samuel Onikeku are the only two surviving members of the immediate past board.

The other members of the 11-member board inaugurated yesterday in  Abuja include two Vice Presidents; Ladan Abubakar Zurmi (1st Vice President) and Akuchukwu Aghazu Chineze is the second vice president. The other elected board members include; Gabriel Okon, Samuel Onikeku, Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju, Professor Frank Atare, Lekan Soetan, Adamu Babayo, Oluyomi Sule, and Victor Okorie.

Two other slots: Athletes Rep and Coaches/Technical Rep were yet to be decided as at the time of the inauguration yesterday. Although there were speculations that Professor Lucas Ogunjimi may have stepped down for Solomon Aliyu to take the slot of the Coaches/Technical Officials on the new AFN board.

Speaking shortly after he was inaugurated into office for a second term, Okowa extended hand of fellowship to all stakeholders, insisting politicking was over and was ready to work with all for the progress of athletics in Nigeria.

“Elections test our passion, but they must never fracture our athletics family.

“I pledged to lead inclusively, ensuring every voice is heard as we forge a common ground for Nigerian athletics…my door and my heart is open for collaboration,” he pledged.

He added that he would pursuing a four-point agenda in his second tenure this include aggressive grassroots talent hunt programme and education of our Nigerian athletes.

Okowa immediately announced the appointment of veteran sports broadcaster,  Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the AFN as well as that 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.

Also appointed to serve the new AFN is Barrister Bamidele Edokpaye as Legal Adviser, and Mr. Babajide Odedeji as Safeguarding Officer.