By

Eche Amos.

As  the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season, begins this weekend, the Board of the Nigeria Premier Football League, in collaboration with the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, and Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has held a one-day sensitization seminar for Chief Security Officers and Chairmen of Supporters' Clubs of the twenty NPFL teams.

The seminar was aimed at instilling safety and curbing incidence of violence and hooliganism before, during and after domestic league matches.

According to the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL Board, Prince Davidson Owumi, "The seminar is aimed at educating the stakeholders who are saddled with the responsibilities of maintaining peace and order at match venues, that's the Chief Security Officers and Supporters' Club Chairmen of the Clubs participating in the League.

"We are also giving them soft copies of everything we have taught them, hoping that it will have a very positive impact on the participants when they get back to their respective Clubs.

"Additionally, this seminar will set a positive trajectory for the league going forward."

Some of the participants spoke about the benefits they derived from attending the programme.

Rangers International FC's Supporters Club's Chairman, Iloakazi Orji, applauded Organizers of the seminar, disclosing that it was worth it while pledging to step down the knowledge acquired from the seminar to members of Rangers' Supporters' Club.

Speaking earlier, NPFL Head of Safety and Security Department, Henry Chijioke said, "We understand the fact that overtime clubs have been sanctioned for misconduct and hooliganism at league's venues. But this hasn't given the league body a good publicity or image.

"We are trying to look at the situation whereby we instil discipline in the stakeholders concerned to have a beautiful and rewarding league."

The programme highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Chief Security Officers and Supporters' Clubs of the NPFL and Security Agencies to maintain a safe and secure match-day venues.

Similar Seminars and Workshops were also organized for Media Directors, Coaches and Captains of the twenty NPFL Clubs in Makurdi, Benue State, and Abuja, all aimed at repositioning the league for better outputs.

The Board of the NPFL had announced August 31st as commencement date for the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League Season.