The Chairman of the Nigerian National League (NNL), George Aluo, and the organiser of the Okpekpe International Road Race, Padmozi Marketing Ltd., have commended the Federal Government on the recent appointments of Mallam Shehu Dikko as the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and Chief Sunday Dare, a former sports minister, as the Special Adviser on Communication and National Orientation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
  
Aluo at the weekend said that Dare and Dikko’s appointments are what the country needs now going by recent developments in the world.
 
He said: “On behalf of the board and members of the NNL, I most sincerely congratulate Chief Sunday Dare, and Malam Shehu Dikko on their appointments. This is not just a welcome development, but one that will engender better communication and sports development for our dear nation.
 
“Both appointments are well deserved and I believe that both of them will bring their vast experience to bear in the discharge of this onerous task placed before them by Mr President. Their sound background and performance in their different areas of past responsibilities place them in a strategic position to excel. I wish them the best in this special assignment.”

Also speaking on the developments, Pamodzi Sports Marketing described Dikko’s appointment as chairman of the National Sports Commission as the best in the history of Sports Administration in Nigeria since the late Dr. Isaac Akioye’s era in the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. 

Dr Akioye started the revolution that transformed Nigerian sports before the current plunge. He was the Director General of the then National Sports Commission from 1975 to 1981. 
 
Padmodzi Marketing Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Mike Itemuagbor, said that President Tinubu has not only scored very high marks with the return of the NSC but has also been excellent with the appointment of Dikko as its Chairman.
 
He said: “President Tinubu may have made the boldest move in recent years to revive the sports sector and make it play its role as a development tool. Sports can be a game-changer for social and economic development. 

“Sports fosters community unity, promotes healthy lifestyles, and creates job opportunities. Sports also stimulate local economies through infrastructure development and create business opportunities through sponsorships and events. It can be a powerful tool for social change.

“An ideal sports administrator balances leadership, strategy, and empathy. He is skilled in managing teams, understanding sports policies, and fostering a positive environment for athletes and staff.