Tag: Amaju Pinnick

  • Tinubu backs Amaju Pinnick’s re-election into FIFA Council

    Tinubu backs Amaju Pinnick’s re-election into FIFA Council

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed support for Nigeria’s bid for re-election into the FIFA Council.

    Mr Amaju Pinnick, two-term President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), is seeking re-election into the Council.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Tuesday, that President Tinubu was in support of Nigeria’s bid to retain its seat in the Council.

    Pinnick was elected into the Council in March 2021 – the third Nigerian after the late Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr Amos Adamu.

    The Council comprises 37 members elected by the FIFA Congress for a renewable term of four years.

    The FIFA Council is the principal decision-making organ of the organisation in the intervals of the FIFA Congress.

  • Warri Again: Davido reconciles with Amaju Pinnick, invites him for June 25 wedding in Lagos

    Warri Again: Davido reconciles with Amaju Pinnick, invites him for June 25 wedding in Lagos

    Insinuations are rife that Nigerian Afrobeat star, Davido and former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick have resolved their differences.

    This is coming barely few hours to the wedding of Davido.

    Both parties fell out when Pinnick on October 31, 2023 filed a N2.3 billion breach of contract suit against the singer, after his failure to perform at the 19th edition of the ‘Warri Again’ event on October 6, 2023.

    However, in a recent turn of events, Davido and his wife, Chioma were captured in a video at Pinnick’s house a few hours to his wedding.

    Sharing the trending video on her TikTok, Pinnick’s wife, Julie Pinnick, emphasized the power of love in fostering reconciliation.

    She wrote, “David and Chioma came to our house to personally invite my family to their marriage ceremony. I was thrilled to meet Chioma for the first time; she is such a beautiful girl.

    “Let love lead. Wishing Davido and Chioma a beautiful future together forever.”

    Davido announced two weeks ago  that he and Chioma would have their wedding on June 25, in Lagos

  • Former NFF president, Amaju Pinnick backs Finidi for Super Eagles coaching job

    Former NFF president, Amaju Pinnick backs Finidi for Super Eagles coaching job

    Amaju Melvin Pinnick the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has backed Finidi George for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job.

    It would be recalled that about 12 local and international coaches applied for the vacant Managerial position but the NFF is yet to name a substantive head coach for the Super Eagles.

    Finidi acted on interim capacity when the Super Eagles played two international friendlies against Ghana and Mali during FIFA international window in March.

    The Super Eagles defeated Ghana 2-1 and lost 2-0 to Mali.

    However, Pinnick has thrown his weight behind the former winger and claimed he is the most suitable candidate for the job.

    “Even though Jose Peseiro started slowly, the end justified the reason we brought him, so I don’t have any regrets,” Pinnick told Arise TV.

    “Under his internship was a player that was once regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, Finidi George, one of the best wingers at a point, a player that had a formal or informal internship as a player under one of the best coaches in the world Luis Van Gaal, a player that at Real Betis, he was excellent. He(Finidi) was at Ajax, and if you know Ajax, they believe in developmental football, where they teach you how to chest, trap, and play the ball again. So he has those virtues, and my opinion is that we encourage him.

    “He played two friendly games, he lost one and made negative history because Mali have not beaten Nigeria in over 40 years, and positive history because Nigeria has not beaten Ghana in over 30 years.”

    Pinnick also named some of the virtues which have endeared him to the former Ajax and Real Betis player.

    “In my opinion, I’ve seen him, I’ve worked with him, I brought him on when I was president as one of the assistant coaches. He has some virtues that we need as a coach. He has leadership, dexterity, and most importantly, humility,” he added.

    Pinnick further stated: “There’s no encumbrance, if you wave Finidi round, you will not see any encumbrance around him. There is a lot of information and many things I know.

    “So what do we do with someone like Finidi that played under some of the best coaches in the world, that also played at that level, and coached one of our indigenous and one of the most successful teams in Africa? We build capacity around him.”

    NFF is expected to name a new head coach for the Super Eagles this month.

    The Super Eagles will next be in action against South Africa and Benin Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.

  • Amaju vs Davido: Singer agrees to pay N30 million legal fees, to perform at Warri Again 2024

    Amaju vs Davido: Singer agrees to pay N30 million legal fees, to perform at Warri Again 2024

    Popular Nigerian singer, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has settled for out of court settlement in a breach of contract suit filed against him by the immediate past President of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick-led Brownhill Investment Company Limited at the High Court of Delta State, Effurun.

    In the N2 billion suit filed against him, Davido,  agreed to pay N30 million to the claimant, being a part contribution to the claimant’s outstanding legal fees in the suit within seven days of execution of the terms of settlement.

    Pinnick   had, through his lawyer, Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, in suit EHC/183/2023, prayed the court to award N2 billion as general damages against Davido.

    The claimant prayed for N150 million as legal and professional fees, and an additional sum of N30 million as cost of filing the suit.

    Listed as defendants in the suit are David Adeleke a.k.a “Davido”, and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited.

    Consequently, ina new deal struck mutually by both parties, the singer has agreed to perform at the “Warri Again Concert” edition on October 4, 2024 to make up for the missed edition in 2023.

    Although, it was also agreed by both parties that the sum of $94,500 which the claimant had already paid to the defendants, will be considered for the performance at the event.

     

     

  • Failed contract: Pinnick and Davido finally agree to settle out of court

    Failed contract: Pinnick and Davido finally agree to settle out of court

    A Delta High Court sitting in Effurun has granted Brownhill Investment Company and Mr David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, an out-of-court settlement.

    Justice Michael Obi of High Court Three, Effurun, on Thursday commended both parties for the amicable resolution to settle out of court.

    “I commend both parties for exploring an amicable resolution to settle out of court,” Obi said.

    Brownhill Investment Company is owned by Mr Amaju Pinnick, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The company had in Oct. 2023 filed a suit, marked EHC/183/2023, before the court having the afrobeat singer, Davido, and his music label, Davido Music Worldwide Limited, as joint defendants.

    Recall that the company had sued the defendants over a breach of contract to perform at the 19thedition of the ‘Warri Again Concert’.

    In the suit, the appellant prayed the court to award a sum of N2 billion as general damages against the defendants for failing to honour the contract of the concert.

    Pinnick’s company also prayed the court for N150 million as legal and professional fees with an additional N30 million as the filling cost.

    Responding to the court verdict, counsel to the defendants, Mr Oladayo Ogungbe, told NAN after the court’s proceedings that both parties had been able to explore the out-of-court settlement.

    “Davido is coming again to Warri on Oct. 4 to perform – that forms part of the settlement.

    “It’s fine. It is better than going through the rigours of litigations.

    “Both parties consider the option of having the matter settled out of court, which in my opinion as a lawyer, is the best approach to any litigation.

    “It is a win-win situation to both parties,” Ogungbe said.

    The ‘Warri Again” concert is an annual event organised by Pinnick to celebrate entertainers from the Niger Delta region.

  • Warri Again:  Pinnick sues Davido for N2.3bn, demands  public apology

    Warri Again: Pinnick sues Davido for N2.3bn, demands public apology

    Nigeria Football Federation ex-president and the convener of Warri again, Amaju Pinnick has slammed a 2.3 billion naira lawsuit against the famous Afrobeat singer, Davido, and demands a four-day public apology for alleged breach of contract/agreement to turn up for a show.

    Recall that Pinnick accused Davido of collecting million of naira and failed to appear at the show which held in Delta State in October.

    Mr Amaju who owns the company, Brownhill Investments Company Limit, which organizes the yearly show, filed the suit marked EHC/183/2023 before the Delta State High Court in Effurun.

    It was gathered that the claimant, through its attorney, a Mr. Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, the awarding of N2bn as damages against the singer and his music label.

    Additionally, the claimant prays that the court award against the Afrobeats singer the sum of N150m as legal and professional fees and an additional sum of N30m as the cost of filing the suit.

    Furthermore, they want the court to order Davido “to tender a public apology on all the 1st defendant’s social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days, to the claimant and attendees.”

    According to the claimant’s statement of claim, Davido met Pinnick at the Abuja Airport sometime in early 2023 and requested to be contracted for the 19th edition of the “Warri Again Concert,” which is scheduled for October 6, 2023.

    The claimant stated that although Pinnick was first unwilling to comply, in the end he obliged, and they decided on N70 million as Davido’s performance fee

    It continued by saying that on April 6, 2023, the amount of US$94,500.00, or the equivalent of N70 million, was paid, and the defendants officially recognized it.

    According to the report, Davido recorded a promotional video following the payment, but on the day of the event, he did not show up.

     

  • Breach of contract: Amaju Pinnick sues Davido, demands N2.3 billion damages

    Breach of contract: Amaju Pinnick sues Davido, demands N2.3 billion damages

    Former Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick, has filed a lawsuit against Afrobeat singer Davido, seeking N2.3 billion damages and a four-day public apology over alleged breach of contract/agreement to turn up for a show.

    Recall that last month, Amaju Pinnick had called put the DMW music executive for failing to appear at the ‘Warri Again?’ Show which held in Delta State in October.

    Pinnick who owns the company, Brownhill Investments Company Limit, which organizes the yearly show, filed the suit marked EHC/183/2023 before the Delta State High Court in Effurun.

    It was gathered that the claimant, through its attorney, a Mr. Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem, the awarding of N2bn as damages against the singer and his music label.

    Davido amaju pinnick
    Amaju Pinnick.
    Additionally, the claimant prays that the court award against the Afrobeats singer the sum of N150m as legal and professional fees and an additional sum of N30m as the cost of filing the suit.

    Furthermore, they want the court to order Davido “to tender a public apology on all the 1st defendant’s social media accounts/handles and in two national daily newspapers for four consecutive days, to the claimant and attendees.”

    According to the claimant’s statement of claim, Davido met Pinnick at the Abuja Airport sometime in early 2023 and requested to be contracted for the 19th edition of the “Warri Again Concert,” which is scheduled for October 6, 2023.

    The claimant stated that although Pinnick was first unwilling to comply, in the end he obliged, and they decided on N70 million as Davido’s performance fee.

    Davido Amaju pinnick
    Davido.
    It continued by saying that on April 6, 2023, the amount of US$94,500.00, or the equivalent of N70 million, was paid, and the defendants officially recognized it.

    According to the report, Davido recorded a promotional video following the payment, but on the day of the event, he did not show up.

    The claimant maintained to have spent enormous sums of money on print and social media advertisements and promotions for the event. It further claimed that on September 29, 2023, exactly one week prior to the scheduled date of the event, Davido received a formal letter of reminder regarding the event, along with the flight itinerary of the private jet that was chartered specifically to transport him and his team to and from Warri, Delta State, for the event, incurring additional costs of $18,000.

    It said, however, that all efforts to get in contact with Davido and his group on October 6, 2023, the day of the event, were ineffective, and that the private plane that was scheduled to transport Davido and his group to Warri at the Lagos Airport was left available in case they later turned up at the airport.

    As a result, Pinnick’s business is requesting payment of $94,500 in full for contracting Davido’s services which he failed to deliver.

     

     

     

     

     

  • What Warri Again organizers did is a shame – Davido

    What Warri Again organizers did is a shame – Davido

    Popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke aka Davido has said what organizers of the Warri Again show in Delta State did was a shame.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Davido, however, tendered an apology for disappointing his “lovely fans” in Warri after they had spent their hard earned money for the show.

    This is coming after former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) Amaju Pinnick called out the singer for refusing to perform at this year’s Warri Again festival.

    Pinnick revealed Davido was paid $94,600 for the show and that the organisers booked a private jet for him for $18,000.

    He threatened to teach the singer a lesson, adding that he was becoming too proud despite not being a bigger artist than Burna Boy who is half Itsekiri.

    However, via a Story on Instagram, Davido disclosed he had informed organizers of Warri Again that he was not going to be physically able to make it but that they went on to continue using his name to promo the show.

    Davido stated: “To my lovely fans in Warri that spent their hard earned money to come out, apologies you had to experience this.

    “I was not going to be physically able to make it and this had been communicated to ‘them’ for a longgggg while now. I mean months ago.

    “But for reasons best known to them, they continued to promote the show using my name. It’s a shame.

    “But specially for my fans out there, don’t worry, you know I gotta bring Timeless to Delta State. We will do it proper, bigger and better”.

    Earlier, Davido had bragged  nobody can stop him from performing anywhere in Nigeria, assuring his fans in Warri that he would be in their city soon.

    “Nobody can stop me from performing anywhere in Nigeria… Warri I will see you soon,” he wrote.

  • Warri Again: Davido hits back at former NFF president, Amaju Pinnick

    Warri Again: Davido hits back at former NFF president, Amaju Pinnick

    Popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, famously known as  Davido, has hit back at the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) Amaju Pinnick over accusations that he refused to show up at an event in Warri, Delta State, despite being paid an excess of $94,600 (about N72 million).

    Recall that Pinnick recently called out Davido for refusing to perform at this year’s Warri Again festival despite allegedly receiving a payment of $94,600 and the organisers booking a private jet for him for $18,000.

    He threatened to teach the singer a lesson, adding that he was becoming too proud despite not being a bigger artist than Burna Boy who is half Itsekiri.

    Responding to the accusations, Davido via a post on his Platform X wrote: “Throwing stones but u dey live for glass house.”

    In another post, Davido bragged that nobody could stop him from performing anywhere in Nigeria, assuring his fans in Warri that he would be in their city soon.

    “Nobody can stop me from performing anywhere in Nigeria… Warri I will see you soon,” he wrote.

    He also posted a picture of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, logo with the caption; “Make I no talk.”

  • How to discover budding football talents in Nigeria – Pinnick

    How to discover budding football talents in Nigeria – Pinnick

    Mr Amaju Pinnick, FIFA Executive Council Member and former Chairman, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), has emphasised the need to strengthen football in secondary schools to give more opportunities to budding talents.

    According to him, more attention to secondary school football will boost the sports in rural areas and shore up infrastructural growth that will, in turn, enhance the quality of education nationwide.

    Pinnick spoke in Lagos on Monday when he received the Technical Board of Kalidon Ventures Limited.

    Kalidon Ventures has just signed a 10 years lease agreement with the University of Lagos to build a modern Astro turf facility.

    Astro turf is a type of artificial fiber that is used instead of grass on some sports fields.

    The Lagos University facility is expected to come with a state-of-the-art Lounge, Game Arcades and a multi dimensional viewing system.

    Pinnick said that the ongoing football construction works at Hussey College in Warri would serve as a model on how developed football programmes in secondary schools could produce soccer stars for local and international leagues.

    The Warri project is being undertaken by the former NFF boss.

    “When football facilities are developed, they could bring the much-needed extra revenue to fund the schools.

    “They could also impact infrastructure and engender very credible technical partnerships between the schools and well regarded international stakeholders,” he added.

    Pinnick, generally regarded as an influential international football administrator, commended the Kalidon Venture Technical Team’s decision to build world class Astro turfs that would serve the football community.

    The football administrator accepted to work for the firm in an advisory capacity.

    Earlier, Mr Omotayo Oyewome, Managing Director, Kalidon Ventures, had told Pinnick that the Lagos facility would be the pilot one as plans had already reached advanced stages to expand very rapidly into the six geographical centres of the country.

    He listed the benefiting states to include Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Abuja and Kaduna.

    Already, front line investment banking franchise – Hamilton and George – have been appointed as Financial Advisers of the project, he stated.

    Other Kalidon Ventures directors on the visit were Oyewole Olaoluwa Ajayi, Oluwaseyi Atinaro and Joseph Edgar.