NFF: We Have Solid Confidence In Pinnick

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday explained why the members always cast their vote of confidence in the leadership of its President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Speaking in Abuja, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, stressed that the Executive Committee is enamoured at the quality of ideas, energy and drive of the former Chairman of Delta State Football Association.

“If you patiently take stock of the list of achievements of the NFF in the past one year that Mr. Pinnick has been President, you would give him immense credit. The beauty of it all is that he carries all the members along in everything he is doing, and invariably listens to superior argument.

“Personally, I enjoy the meetings and I always make sure to be present, because the President makes everyone feel a part of it, he brings up excellent ideas and allows these to be debated. Everyone contributes.”

Yahaya-Kwande, who is a ranking Member of the House of Representatives, explained that the camaraderie within the Executive Committee has not been witnessed in any NFF Board for a long time now.

“Steadily, we are unveiling the various programs that we have for Nigeria football and we believe that our people will be delighted. Next week, there will be a major pronouncement on our youth development program. But I don’t want to reveal this now.

“What we want is the support of everyone. In the last one year, there has been capacity –building programs that have impacted positively on the League and attracted greater recognition from FIFA and CAF for our referees; FIFA elite courses for referees and CAF courses for coaches; prioritization of Coaches and Players’ welfare; robust support for the LMC to continue to improve the NPFL brand; the signing of a kit sponsorship deal with a global brand; intensive drive by the President to sell Nigeria football globally and; aggressive marketing drive to attract private sector support.”

NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

At its inception, the Amaju Pinnick administration outlined its vision thus: “To build a sustainable football culture for the country, satisfying the yearnings of scores of millions of our people through ensuring football activities all –year round, and also focusing on genuine developmental programs while availing the various National Teams adequate support to fly the nation’s flag high at all international competitions.”

Yahaya-Kwande stated that the Board is united in fulfilling this vision: “We are solidly behind our leader, Mr. Amaju Pinnick. He is working very hard and carrying the Board along in everything he is doing. We are also giving support in every way we can. There is no schism in the NFF Executive Committee.”

Okocha Mounts Saddle In Delta State

Former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has been elected chairman of the Delta State Football Association.

At the elections conducted in Asaba on Friday, and supervised by Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli, Okocha polled 26 out of the 27 votes cast.

One of only two Nigerian footballers to play at three FIFA World Cup finals, Jay-Jay Okocha’s club career took him through Germany, France, England and Turkey, and he is presently Head of the NFF Technical Study Group.

Okocha, who had served as vice chairman before the elevation, replaces Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who announced his intention to relinquish the post on the very day he was elected President of Nigeria Football Federation, September 30, 2014.

Amaju: We Will Run An Inclusive Administration

Newly–elected President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin 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, Pinnick admitted that he was just coming to terms with the onerous responsibility of being Nigeria’s football supremo, but insisted that extensive experience garnered over the years as 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.

“I am finally coming to terms with being the President of Nigeria Football Federation, which entails so much responsibility. But apart from invaluable experience down the years, more than one-decade-and-half, and with the quality of persons who are on board with me, we will succeed.

“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.”

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 is ready to meet with all persons who have issues to discuss, and would also meet with relevant organisations and institutions that are in position to offer assistance to help the new team realize its goal of taking Nigeria football to new heights.

Amaju Pinnick

“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 tranquility that we can achieve our objectives.”

President of world football –governing body, FIFA, Mr. Sepp Blatter on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the new NFF President, saying that he (Blatter) is looking forward to meeting with him and supporting him and his new board towards ensuring stable development of the beautiful game in Nigeria.

FIFA

FIFA Hails Amadu, Reiterates Warning On Immediate Suspension If…

Meanwhile, FIFA has also congratulated NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, on what has been achieved so far, but reiterated that FIFA will 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 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.”