The Nigeria National League (NNL) headed by veteran journalist, George Alu, on Wednesday honoured coaches, referees and players for their brilliant performances during the month of April and May, 2025.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Alu said the second-tier league body embarked on the award to encourage the coaches, referees and players and to also serve as motivation for their colleagues.
“Today, once again I stand before you to present our amiable players, coaches and referees for their brilliant performances and achievements in the months of April and May, 2025.
“These players and officials have not only made themselves proud, but also their parents, clubs, the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Football Federation.
“This program, which has its maiden edition in December 2024, is held to recognize the young talents who have made immense contributions to our noble League. The most important league in Nigeria. These brilliant athletes exhibit such qualities that will not only help them in achieving their goals, but also bring glory of success to their football clubs and organizations and Nigeria as a whole.
“Awards are a way to encourage good performances, good behaviour and inculcate competitive spirit. This is the reason why the Nigeria National League, alongside its Partners (PROSTAR RECREATIONAL SERVICES LTD & SPORTLIGHTS HUB) organise monthly awards ceremonies to encourage our outstanding footballers, officials and Referees. So, we are here to give away the awards in mainly seven categories, the Best-Behaved Team, Best Coach, Best Goalkeeper, Best Goal of the month, Highest Goals Scorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Referee.
“To those of you who will receive awards today, I say well done. And to those outside there, I say, you too, can be a football celebrity, by put in extra efforts.
“In the end, I would like to use this wonderful opportunity to thank our partners and the board members for standing by us in this journey to becoming one of the best organized leagues in Africa. Permit me to humbly use this opportunity to invite all corporate bodies and agencies to kindly identify with us by coming in as sponsors of the Nigeria National League. No league worldwide can strive without the presence and collaboration of reputable sponsors.
“Successful people are not gifted; they just work hard, and then succeed on purpose. Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. The only thing standing between you and outrageous success is continuous progress.”