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Tag: Amaju Pinnick

  • NFF election to hold in September as Pinnick’s tenure ends

    NFF election to hold in September as Pinnick’s tenure ends

    The Nigeria football federation in its Annual General Meeting held on August 18  unanimously agreed to hold its election on September 30 in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.

    The decision to hold the election in Benin City on September 30th was the major talking point  of the AGM held at the Best Western Hotel in Lagos.

    However, the Electoral and Appeal committees were immediately set up ahead of the September 30 election.

    NFF president Amaju Pinnick has confirmed he would not be re-contesting the NFF presidency position after spending two terms in office.

    It was  gathered that the 44-man congress turned down a proposal to have the election held on October 20 against the fixed September 30.

    Present at the congress in Lagos on Thursday were the chairmen and secretaries of the NFF’s 44 members (FAs of all the 36 states and the FCT), along with representatives from the leagues, the coaches association, the referees association, the players’ union, NFF executive committee members, invited dignitaries, NFF management and staff, and several other stakeholders.

    Below is the communique of the Annual General Meeting of the NFF

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation met on Thursday, 18th August 2022 at the Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football and resolved as follows:

    1) The Executive Committee commended the Federal Government for the support and encouragement that it has always provided for the Nigeria Football Federation, the various National Teams and Nigeria Football generally to grow and blossom in spite of certain debilitating challenges.

    2) After listening to the presentation of the 2nd Vice President/Chairman, LMC on the challenges that beleaguered this year’s AITEO Cup competition, the Board adopted resolutions reached at the meeting of the NFF with the owners of Clubs that reached the men’s quarter-finals that the competition reboot at that stage and the Clubs be refunded their expenses for travelling for last-eight matches that did not take place. However, Heartland FC, who defeated Katsina FC in their quarter-final game in Ilorin, are already through to the semi-finals. It was agreed that the competition (men’s version) restarts after the NFF Annual General Assembly of Thursday, 18th August 2022, with the key objective of providing considerable mileage for sponsors, AITEO.

    3) Following a detailed presentation by the Head of Delegation of Nigeria team to the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Executive Committee directed its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to hold a meeting and make recommendations on the way forward for the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, including but not limited to a thorough evaluation of the capability of the coaching crew to lead the team to a creditable performance at the FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next year.

    4) After his solemn declaration that he would not be contesting to retain his seat as President at the next NFF Elective General Assembly, the Board greatly commended the President for his huge sacrifices for Nigeria Football in the past eight years, and wished him success and progress in his future endeavours and pursuits. The President stated that he would be ready at all times to offer his support, encouragement and wealth of experience to the incoming President and the Board.

    5) The Executive Committee praised the U20 Women National Team, Falconets for its excellent performance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, at which the team has won all three matches of the group phase and qualified for the quarter-finals as group leader. It noted that the achievement, as well as the triumphs of the U20 and U17 Boys in regional tournaments in Niger Republic and Ghana, and the qualification of the U17 Girls for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, is a marker of the dedication, vision and investment of the present NFF administration in youth development.

    7) The Board directed the Secretariat to ensure that no stone was left unturned in preparations ahead of the African Nations Championship qualifying fixture between Nigeria and Ghana at the end of this month. The first leg of the final qualifying fixture will take place in Cape Coast on Sunday, 28th August while the second leg will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 3rd September.

    IN ATTENDANCE: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President); Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Member); Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ (Member); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Mohammed Alkali (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary)

    COMMUNIQUE OF THE 77TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION HELD AT THE BEST WESTERN HOTEL, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS ON THURSDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 2022

     

    1)    The General Assembly expressed heartfelt appreciation of the entire Nigeria Football fraternity to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR as a person and the Federal Government as a body, for the continued support and encouragement of the NFF, the various National Teams and Nigeria Football generally.

     

    2)   The Congress approved the suspension of the provisions of the NFF Statutes (2010) and the NFF Electoral Code (2009) that provide a certain duration between the time of constitution of the Electoral Committee and the conduct of elections into the NFF Executive Committee. The Congress thereby adopted Friday, 30th September as date for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

    3)    Following from the above, the Congress constituted the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022 thus:

    NFF Electoral Committee 2022: Aikhunegire Anthony Malik (Chairman); Justice Abdulkadir Zakariyya (Vice Chairman); Babatunde Ogala – SAN (Member); Daha Umar Daura – Danburam (Member); Gambo Mamman (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo

     

    NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022: Barrister Gandi Umar, mni (Chairman); Ayo Akindele – SAN (Vice Chairman); Rev. Obioma Onyeaghala (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Chive Kaave; Barrister Idi Halidu Ali

    4)   The General Assembly approved Benin City, capital of Edo State as venue for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

    5)   Following a motion on the floor of the General Assembly, the Congress approved that the present NFF Executive Committee remain in office to conduct the 30th September 2022 elections in order to avoid any form of vacuum.

    6)   Congress approved that all decisions reached at the Annual General Assembly, in particular the Electoral Roadmap, be communicated to world football-governing body, FIFA by the NFF General Secretary without delay, for approval, endorsement and ratification.

    7)   The General Assembly expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for its support and encouragement of Nigeria Football at all times.

  • The best person to replace NFF president, Pinnick – Primate Ayodele reveals

    The best person to replace NFF president, Pinnick – Primate Ayodele reveals

    The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has revealed who can replace the outgoing president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick.

    Ayodele also revealed that the right person to replace Pinnick is a ‘Northerner’ as he foresees a better outing for the Nigeria Football Federation if a northerner heads it.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele described Pinnick as a good administrator who has done well and laid down a good precedent that will outlive him even after his tenure expires.

    He said, ‘’The outgoing president of the Nigeria football federation, Amaju Pinnick, has done well and laid down a good precedent, he is a good administrator and has done greatly by stepping aside and sacrificing his third term ambition to support the right candidate for the job. This act of his will definitely outlives him even after the expiration of his tenure as the federation’s president.’’

    ‘’The right person for the job of the NFF president is a northerner, the northerners will make Nigerian football better than it is at the moment. Football is one of the things that keep Nigeria united and for the sake of Nigeria’s unity, A northerner should succeed Amaju Pinnick. I urge him to support a northerner to become the next NFF president.’’

  • Pinnick eulogizes late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, promises support for Foundation

    Pinnick eulogizes late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, promises support for Foundation

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has promised to help with the sustenance of the Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun Foundation, and be involved in all its activities in the years to come.

    The NFF boss made this pledge in his welcome address as chief host at the 50th year remembrance ceremony of the late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun, held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

    Balogun, who achieved tremendous fame as the first Nigerian football player to ply his trade outside the shores of this country, and also shone brightly for the Senior National Team, died on 26th July 1972.

    Pinnick praised the family of the departed hero for its uncommon commitment to marking the anniversary of his exit in the last 50 years.

    “Right from my secondary school days at Hussey College, Warri, Delta State, the name Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun was a household name among young footballers across the country. Anybody among us who had the hottest shot during games was nicknamed Thunder Balogun. We also heard the fable of how Thunder Balogun’s shot tore a goalkeeper’s stomach while trying to stop his hot shot during a football game. All in all, we grew up hearing the story of Thunder Balogun as the greatest Nigerian football player.

    “I am happy to be a part of this event and to be talking about the life and times of a man seen as the greatest Nigerian football player ever. I attended Hussey College, Warri, which is acclaimed to be the biggest school that trained national players for Nigeria. But I was not good enough to make it as a footballer because of the high standard in my school. Nevertheless, I told myself that I would strive to become one of the top football administrators in Nigeria. Today, I am not just the President of the Nigeria Football Federation; I am an Executive Committee Member of CAF and Member of the FIFA Council.”

  • Nigeria, Benin may co-host 2025 AFCON – Amaju Pinnick

    Nigeria, Benin may co-host 2025 AFCON – Amaju Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has said Nigeria and Benin Republic may co-host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pinnick made this known while speaking with journalists in Lagos State on Tuesday.

    The NFF President said the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has given his endorsement on the bidding.

    He disclosed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is likely to withdraw the hosting right of the 2025 AFCON from Guinea.

    “We are putting a bid together for a co-hosting of the tournament with the Benin Republic. The Minister of Sports has given his endorsement on the bidding.

    “It is high time Nigeria hosted an international tournament because there are many advantages attached to hosting of such competitions.

    “There are many countries bidding for the competition; we are confident of getting the nod from CAF. We are working with the ministry of sports to ensure that Nigeria gets the hosting right,” Pinnick said.

    TNG reports Nigeria last hosted the AFCON 2000, co-hosting with Ghana.

  • 2022 WAFCON: Buhari, NFF President hail Super Falcons

    2022 WAFCON: Buhari, NFF President hail Super Falcons

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s Female Football team, the Super Falcons, for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after their emphatic quarter-final victory at the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Super Falcons, the record nine-time title holder and defending champions of WAFCON, triumphed 1-0 over Cameroon on Thursday night.

    President Buhari lauded the spirited performance of the team in the tournament and for maintaining its dominant posture as undisputed champions of the round-leather game and the most successful international women’s football team on the continent.

    “Having won the tournament twice in 2016 and 2018, under this administration, the President assures the girls and their handlers that the whole nation is strongly standing with them and will continue to cheer them on until the final whistle in Morocco.

    “He prays that the Super Falcons, who have produced some of the greatest African players in the history of the women’s game, will surpass their achievement in the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, where they advanced to the Round of 16, for the first time in 15 years.

    “President Buhari also looks forward to the next generation of upcoming stars, who through hard work, discipline, resilience and determination, will one day win the World Cup for Nigeria,” a statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity reads.

    Super Falcons showed strength of character – Pinnick

    Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday lauded Super Falcons players for their qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    The Falcons defeated Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 1-0 on Thursday in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    The win helped them to set up a semi-finals clash with the hosts.

    “I congratulate the girls for a strong performance against another strong team,” Pinnick said.

    “They showed that truly, Nigeria is the powerhouse of African women football. They held firm to victory even in the face of pressure towards the end.

    “Their strength and perseverance was highly commendable. They have done very well to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

    “Now, we can aim for a retention of the trophy.”

    Nigeria, the nine-time champions of the WAFCON tournament, are aiming for the 10th title in Morocco.

  • NFF President Amaju Pinnick, denies attacking Buhari, Dare

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick, denies attacking Buhari, Dare

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Tuesday expressed shock at a report in a section of the media, which claimed that he had attacked the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare over a perceived aspiration for a third term as President of the NFF.

     In a report apparently syndicated but poorly-articulated and highly unprofessional, the FIFA Council Member was alleged to be on a “spending spree” in the media to “tarnish the image of the Minister and also undermine Mr President’s authority to speak about Nigerian football,” without any instance given or any quote attributed to Mr Pinnick.

     “This is a clear case of a dirty campaign. I have never given any interview or motivated any media person to write anything about the President’s directives or to insult the Honourable Minister. As I speak, we are making arrangements to hold the Annual General Assembly once the court communicates to our attorney the Notice of Discontinuance of the two cases that have been delaying the convocation of the Congress.

     “I could have kept quiet over this kind of silly campaign but it is important to put the record straight and also, I have the highest regards for the person of His Excellency, President Buhari, the Government and its institutions. This is a hatchet job, and such can always happen in political times. The campaigners have failed woefully.”

     Pinnick, who is at the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, said he is ready to return fire for fire with purveyors of falsehood and half truths, whether they operate day or night, or on legacy or social media.

     “It is time to give it in full measure to those who hawk blatant falsehood and spend their days and nights planning evil. It will no longer be business as usual.

     “President Buhari has remained an amazing father and lover of Nigeria Football and the National Teams. None of these dirty campaigns by disgruntled persons and haters can have any impact.”

  • BREAKING: Amaju Pinnick gets new FIFA role

    BREAKING: Amaju Pinnick gets new FIFA role

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Member of the FIFA Council, Mr Amaju Pinnick has been appointed into a new role within the world football governing body’s working group.

    In a letter dated 11th April and signed by Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football, the NFF boss was informed that he has been nominated by the President of CAF, Dr Joseph Motsepe to be part of the “newly established Working Group on Normalisation Committees”.

    The CAF General Secretary wrote further: “This joint working group, to be led by FIFA, will analyse the applicable legal framework and the governance structure, mandate and mission of Normalisation Committees, and make suggestions to the FIFA Council accordingly.

    “We are confident that your nomination to this working group will positively contribute to the pertinent, and often essential, role played by Normalisation Committees in support of federations and towards the fulfillment of good governance practices”.

  • Nigeria v Ghana: Senate summons Sports Minister, NFF President over vandalisation of Stadium

    Nigeria v Ghana: Senate summons Sports Minister, NFF President over vandalisation of Stadium

    The Senate has summoned Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare over vandalisation of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja by hoodlums on March 29, after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    The upper chamber equally invited the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and other agencies involved in the maintenance of stadium.

    The resolutions were sequel to a Point of Order raised by Sen. Michael Nnachi (PDP-Ebonyi) during Wednesday’s plenary.

    The Senate also mandated its Committee on Sports and Youth Development to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the failure of the Eagles to qualify for the World Cup in spite of the numerous government support.

    “Violent reaction by irate fans reportedly took place in the aftermath of the Nigeria vs Ghana qualifier leading to vandalisation of facilities at the stadium and the unfortunate death of Zambian CAF official, Joseph Kabungo.

    “The national stadium was jam-packed with highly expectant Nigerian fans throughout the controversial match and the alleged violent reaction of those fans to the outcome of this match has become a subject of local and international media criticism.

    “A lot of valuable facilities at the stadium were destroyed but the extent of destruction is yet to be determined by the relevant government authority.

    “There is no gainsaying that the destruction will cause the government of Nigeria several millions of naira to either replace or effect repairs.

    “Apart from several unidentified football fans who were injured as a result of this incident, the death of Dr Joseph is a huge loss to the global football community.”

    Supporting the motion, Sen. Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) said it was a very sad day for Nigeria.

    “It is sad that Nigerians vented their anger and frustration on the physical stadium.

    “There is an urgent need for this Senate, if possible, to intervene to see that our stadia across Nigeria are properly structured and made in such a way that future occurrence or fans invading the pitch or destroying the stadium will be prevented,” he said.

  • NFF President attends FIFA World Cup draw in Qatar despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify

    NFF President attends FIFA World Cup draw in Qatar despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify

    Despite Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has taken a trip to Qatar for the competition’s final draw taking place on Friday in Doha, Qatar.

     

    Pinnick is a member of the FIFA Executive Council and will witness the 2022 World Cup draw without the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the tournament.

     

    Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday after losing to Ghana by away goal rule.

     

    The World Cup draw will be attended by 2,000 guests and will be led by Carli Lloyd, Jermaine Jenas and Samantha Johnson and assisted by the likes of Cafu (Brazil), Lothar Matthaus (Germany), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria),

    Rabah Madjer (Algeria) and Tim Cahill (Australia), Adel Ahmed MalAllah (Qatar), Ali Daei (IR Iran) and Bora Milutinovic (Serbia/Mexico).

     

    Meanwhile, 32 countries will be involved in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

     

    Twenty-nine countries are currently known and will be drawn into eight groups of four.

     

    Two of the remaining three spots will be filled by the winners of the Intercontinental Play-offs on 13 or 14 June.

     

    The final berth is determined by Path A of the European qualifying play-offs, in which Wales will face off against either Scotland or Ukraine in the final.

     

     

  • Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Member of the FIFA Council, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Wednesday disclosed that the football –ruling body is taking the two matches between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana as “very serious business,” insisting that everything legal and acceptable is being done for Nigeria to achieve victory.

    At a meeting with some Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management inside the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday, Pinnick admitted that the World Cup playoff fixture is a ‘war’ and must be approached with utmost commitment, focus and with zero tolerance for tardiness.

    “Of course, we are not the ones going into the field. But the arrangements we put in place will, to a large extent, determine the spirit with which the players will enter the pitch. All our arrangements must be flawless and without sloppiness. It is a FIFA World Cup ticket at stake, so we must give it our all.

    “Whatever efforts we have been making to ensure seamless movement to and fro, as well as accommodation of our contingent at major matches, must be doubled for the match in Kumasi. Nigerians don’t want to hear any story; they only want to see the World Cup ticket.”

    The NFF supremo made the statements while chairing a meeting that also included NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko; Dr Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Ahmed Yusuf; Charity Kadiri (Director of Finance and Administration); Ademola Olajire (Director of Media and Communications) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

    The Nigeria contingent will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a chartered Air Peace aircraft on Thursday morning, and return to Abuja immediately after the match on Friday evening.

    Super Eagles’ players on Tuesday rhapsodized about the new, improved turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as they intensified preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    At their first training session ahead of the two big games, captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen expressed delight with the turn-around of the turf and admitted it enabled the team to roll the ball the way they wanted.

    Musa told thenff.com: “The turf is looking and feeling really nice and wonderful. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and the Ministry officials for a job well.”

    “This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

    On his part, forward Odion Ighalo said: “Ah, I am excited with the feel of the turf. There is nothing to complain about,” while Ekong added: “This is really nice. The turf feels good and we are happy that our request for the turf to be put in great shape was heeded by the Sports Ministry.”