Nigeria: We Will Run an Inclusive Administration, Says Newly-Elected NFF President
BY ABU IDRISU
The newly-elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has reiterated his election-day pledge to reconcile with all aggrieved individuals and parties in the coming days, with a focus on running an inclusive administration in the best interest of the Nigeria game.
Speaking in Warri on Wednesday, Mr. Pinnick admitted he was just coming to terms with the onerous responsibility of being Nigeria's football supremo. However, he insisted that extensive experience garnered over the years as the Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chairman of Delta State Football Association and top gun in the hosting of several major competitions in Delta State and nationally will stand him in good stead.
"As I said on Tuesday night, we have people with tremendous capacity on the new Executive Committee. I am happy about that. I am also happy about the fact that we are all agreed that we must have a cordial relationship with the supervising National Sports Commission, which represents the Government," he said.
Mr. Pinnick won Tuesday's contest for the presidential position with a landslide in the second round, garnering 32 votes against ex-international and former Board Member, Dominic Iorfa's eight, and former General Secretary and former Board Member, Taiwo Ogunjobi's four.
He also reiterated on Wednesday that he was ready to meet with all persons who had issues to discuss, and would also meet with relevant organisations and institutions that were in a position to offer assistance to help the new team realise its goal of taking Nigeria football to new heights.
"I stated clearly on Tuesday night that we will not exclude anyone who has something to contribute. We intend to bring the entire family together again because we know that it is only with peace and tranquillity that we can achieve our objectives," he said.
The president of the world football-governing body, FIFA, Sepp Blatter, on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the new NFF President. Mr. Blatter said he was looking forward to meeting with him and supporting him and his new board towards ensuring stable development of the beautiful game in Nigeria.
FIFA also congratulated NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, on what has been achieved so far, but reiterated that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick should any of the processes already gone through be tampered with at any stage or by anyone.
In a letter dated 2nd October, 2014 and signed by FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, FIFA acknowledged receipt of correspondence detailing the events of the 2014 NFF Elective Congress and commended Mr. Amadu and the NFF Executive Committee and Management on what has been done, in line with the world body's directives.
"We would like to congratulate the members of the new board on their election and are confident they are committed to continuing the development of football in Nigeria. We would also take this opportunity to praise the NFF and especially you on what has been achieved in recent weeks despite the various difficulties.
"We now expect the NFF and its new leadership to carry out its activities without any hindrance in order to avoid having to again refer the case to the appropriate FIFA bodies for an automatic suspension as stated in our previous correspondence.
"We thank you once again and are looking forward to continuing to work closely with the NFF for the benefit of the numerous lovers of Nigerian football."
The newly-elected President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has reiterated his election-day pledge to reconcile with all aggrieved individuals and parties in the coming days, with a focus on running an inclusive administration in the best interest of the Nigeria game.
Speaking in Warri on Wednesday, Mr. Pinnick admitted he was just coming to terms with the onerous responsibility of being Nigeria's football supremo. However, he insisted that extensive experience garnered over the years as the Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chairman of Delta State Football Association and top gun in the hosting of several major competitions in Delta State and nationally will stand him in good stead.
"As I said on Tuesday night, we have people with tremendous capacity on the new Executive Committee. I am happy about that. I am also happy about the fact that we are all agreed that we must have a cordial relationship with the supervising National Sports Commission, which represents the Government," he said.
Mr. Pinnick won Tuesday's contest for the presidential position with a landslide in the second round, garnering 32 votes against ex-international and former Board Member, Dominic Iorfa's eight, and former General Secretary and former Board Member, Taiwo Ogunjobi's four.
He also reiterated on Wednesday that he was ready to meet with all persons who had issues to discuss, and would also meet with relevant organisations and institutions that were in a position to offer assistance to help the new team realise its goal of taking Nigeria football to new heights.
"I stated clearly on Tuesday night that we will not exclude anyone who has something to contribute. We intend to bring the entire family together again because we know that it is only with peace and tranquillity that we can achieve our objectives," he said.
The president of the world football-governing body, FIFA, Sepp Blatter, on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the new NFF President. Mr. Blatter said he was looking forward to meeting with him and supporting him and his new board towards ensuring stable development of the beautiful game in Nigeria.
FIFA also congratulated NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu, on what has been achieved so far, but reiterated that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick should any of the processes already gone through be tampered with at any stage or by anyone.
In a letter dated 2nd October, 2014 and signed by FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, FIFA acknowledged receipt of correspondence detailing the events of the 2014 NFF Elective Congress and commended Mr. Amadu and the NFF Executive Committee and Management on what has been done, in line with the world body's directives.
"We would like to congratulate the members of the new board on their election and are confident they are committed to continuing the development of football in Nigeria. We would also take this opportunity to praise the NFF and especially you on what has been achieved in recent weeks despite the various difficulties.
"We now expect the NFF and its new leadership to carry out its activities without any hindrance in order to avoid having to again refer the case to the appropriate FIFA bodies for an automatic suspension as stated in our previous correspondence.
"We thank you once again and are looking forward to continuing to work closely with the NFF for the benefit of the numerous lovers of Nigerian football."
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