Robert Mizo, Kingdom Osayi crowned Best Player, and Revelation of the Year respectively
In the spirit of rewarding hard work, top-notch reportage mixed with creativity and fun, good administration and passionate supporters of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the league’s foremost WhatsApp Group that houses the crème de la crème of the league’s journalists and administrators, NPFL UNDILUTED Friday night staged its 2023 Awards night in celebrating the best in the league, grand style, Ayoola Adeleke is reporting for Platinumnewsng.com
In a serene environment breathing of the modern decors for an occasion of this magnitude, the award night could be tagged as an August award night in December as many attendees will for a long time relish the moment for the larger part of 2024.
Co-anchored by one of the top female content creators in the league, Joy “Euphoriastick” Ojeabulu and arguably the sweetest voice to listen to in football commentary in the country, Emmanuel Etim, the anchors appeared appealing to the audience like Queen Elsa from the “Frozen” and Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid”— stepping out to the stage to the excitement of the guests who in their wildest imagination were thinking of taking them home.
Declaring the awards night opened was a celebrity editor, Enitan Obadina who prayed for many more of the celebrations. Another popular photojournalist and a nominee for the Best Photojournalist, Jamiu Adelase prayed in the Islamic way. Elegantly, Grace “Queen Kada” John with her glass-breaking soprano sang the national anthem as everyone in the hall placed their hands on their chest, singing along patriotically.
Thirteen categories featured on the night and the nominees all gave good accounts of themselves with good fights for the awards, but as it would be, a winner in each category emerged.
Picking the first award of the night was Doma United’s goalkeeper, Osayi Kingdom. Kingdom has so far this season kept 12 clean sheets in 16 NPFL games.
Clinching the Best Player award was the goal-scoring machine who has consistently proven his net-tearing ability, Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United. The 23-year-old has 10 goals this season to sit second behind Remo Stars’ goal poacher, Sikiru Alimi.
NPFL’s newly promoted side, Sporting Lagos Fans Club with their popular slogan “Na Stadium No Be Library” won the Fans of the Year Award — the presence of Happy Corner must have given the award a huge boost to edge the other nominees.
Remo Stars Media department with rich content pushed out in lifting the club’s visibility to the followers around the world cart home the Content Creator of the Year Award — a well-deserved award by miles.
Adding to Remo Stars Sports Club’s win on the night, Oladimeji Oshode was crowned the Best Media Officer of the Year award. Hard work is rewarded.Returning from a refresher program abroad and leading his team to its first Champions League appearance as well as currently seated first in the 2023/2024 NPFL season, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede clinched the Coach of The Year Award — another celebration for Remo Stars Sports Club on the night.
Returning from a refresher program abroad and leading his team to its first Champions League appearance as well as currently seated first in the 2023/2024 NPFL season, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede clinched the Coach of The Year Award — another celebration for Remo Stars Sports Club on the night.
Another returnee who has made a rapid impact in his team Rangers International and the league’s Management and Media, FIFA licensed solicitor, Amobi Ezeaku was voted the Administrator of the Year.
Uyo-based broadcast journalist, Akila Matawale emerged as the Match Day Reporter of the Year — undisputed in the year under review with accurate action-by-action match reports cutting across the NLO, NNL and NPFL.
Periodically, the Disk Jockey (DJ) of the Night, John “Queen Kara” Grace, thrilled the audience and awards recipients with trending hits from Grammy Award winning Burna Boy, Fuji King, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal. Chief Dr. Oliver De Coque also graced the awards night on tape with his vintage “Opportunity”.
With jaw-dropping shoots throughout the year in the league, under the sun and in the rain amidst many obstacles, Lagos-based photojournalist Jamiu “SuperJay” Adelase emerged as Photo Journalist of the Year.
For an outstanding and consistent year, Lagos-based journalist and unarguably most accepted NPFL podcast, NPFL Tori Podcast host, Christopher Emenyonu was widely voted as the Content Creator of the Year — quiet personality with rich content.
Putting icing on the cake was Remo Stars FC, clinching the Team of the Year Award — what a night for the Sky Blues team — Remo Stars turning global stars.
Winning the Most Active Member — Female category was former Flamingos media officer, Oluchi “TrendyFaith” Faith.
Clinching the Most Active Member – Male category for the night was Internationally recognized photojournalist cum administrator, Adepoju “Ivanka Tobi Samuel.
Other hits played by DJ Queen Kara to entertain the crowd on the night include Disco Dancer by Happy Lahiri and Pritam, Rush by Ayra Star and Happiness by Crispen.
In his vote of thanks, Andrew Randa admonished everyone to keep pushing while he appreciated the sponsors and the other admins of the group.
“We pray to propagate the gospel of the NPFL. Keep branding, once a day, we go enjoy. The ecosystem is large and I think our administrators can do better so we can also enjoy better.”