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Tag: NFF

  • NFF to appeal against court order stopping executive election conduct

    NFF to appeal against court order stopping executive election conduct

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed a notice of appeal against the order of a Federal High Court (FHC) Abuja which stopped the conduct of its executive election earlier scheduled for Sept  30 in Edo.

    In a notice of appeal marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021, NFF put forward three grounds why the order should be set aside.

    According to the football association, the learned trial lower court erred in law which occasioned a miscarriage of justice when his lordship held thus: “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending the final order of this Court.”

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of a FHC sitting in Abuja had, on Sept. 15, restrained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo.

    Justice Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the minister, Mr Pinnik or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    He consequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 31 for hearing.

    In the motion filed Sept. 2 and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021; Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, Austin Popo and National Association of Nigerian  Footballers (NANF), who were 1st to 4th claimants, had sued NFF, Pinnick and the minister as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    But in the notice of appeal dated Sept. 27 and filed Sept. 28 by the NFF (the appellant) at the FHC, Jalla, Chief Baribote, Popo, NANF, Pinnik and the minister are listed as 1st to 7th respondents respectively.

    The NFF’s counsel, Patrick Mekako, argued that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to grant an order not prayed for.

    “It is trite principle of law that a court can only grant what was prayed for,” he said.

    The lawyer argued further that the FHC erred in law when, after making the ex-parte order, it reverted the matter to Oct. 31 for hearing.

    He said that since the ex-parte order was made on Sept 15, by the provisions of the FHC Rules and the settled state of the law, an order made through ex-parte should not last for more than 14 deys.

    “By granting the injunctive order and adjourning the matter to 31/10/2022, the trial court tacitly made the ex-parte order to last from 15/09/2022 until 31/10/2022, which is for a period of 46 days.

    “There was no legal justification for the extension of the order till 31/10/2022,” he said.

    According to him, the extension of the order to 31/10/2022 is against the interest of justice and will also prejudice the course of justice in this suit.

    Mekako said the trial lower court misdirected itself which occasioned grave miscarriage of justice when it ordered the parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the final order of the court and adjourned the suit to Sept  31.

    He, therefore, prayed for a declaration that the interim order of Sept. 15 was made without jurisdiction.

    He also sought an order setting aside the interim order of Sept. 15.

    NAN

  • NFF to hold Annual General Assembly and Elective Congress on Friday

    NFF to hold Annual General Assembly and Elective Congress on Friday

    The 78th Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation will hold on Friday in Benin City, capital of Edo State alongside elections of a new Executive Committee to steer the affairs of the nation’s supreme football –ruling body for the next four years.

    A ruling by the Court of Appeal on Thursday morning ordered a stay-of-execution of an ex parte injunction secured by some fellows a fortnight ago to stop the elections, meaning that the coast is now clear for an interesting contest for the NFF presidency by 10 prominent individuals and dozen other notable persons jostling for seats on the Executive Committee.

    More representatives of the world football-governing body, FIFA arrived in Benin City just before noon on Thursday. Solomon Mudege, FIFA’s Head of Development Programmes for Africa and Gelson Fernandes, a former Swiss international player who is FIFA’s Director for Africa were in an excited mood.

     Mudege said: “We are happy to be here and to witness another milestone in the history of Nigeria Football. We believe it is going to be an interesting Congress with the elections.”

    Among the 10 persons jostling to succeed Amaju Melvin Pinnick as Nigeria football’s supremo are current vice presidents, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (1st VP) and Mallam Shehu Dikko (2nd VP), as well as former Executive Committee Member and Chairman of Chairmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and former Executive Committee Member, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.

    There is also an immediate past General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, and Head of Safety and Security of the Confederation of African Football, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.

    Also in the hunt for the exalted post are Chairman of the FCT Football Association, Mallam Adam Mouktar Mohammed; former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Peterside Idah; former Chairman of Kano Pillars FC and respected technocrat, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola and; UK-based David-Buhari Doherty.

    A former NFF 1st Vice President, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam, pulled out of the race during the week.

                     Mr. Paul Yusuf from Plateau State was disqualified as a result of invalid nomination; the same axe that swept Mr. Marcellinus Anyanwu from Imo State out of the race.

    Three persons, viz current Member of Board, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; current Member of Board, Senator Obinna Ogba and; Mr Chinedu Okoye will battle for the post of 1st Vice President.

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ will replace Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau as Chairman of Chairmen, as he was the only one who obtained the form, and has been cleared for, the position.

    Contesting for seats on the Executive Committee from the South East are: Pastor Emeka Inyama (Abia State); Mr. Chikelue Iloenyosi (Anambra State); Mr Karibe Pascal Ojigwe (Abia State); Mr. Jude Benjamin Obikwelu (Anambra State) and; Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha (Imo State).

    For North Central are Alhaji Mohammed Alkali (Nasarawa State); Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (Benue State); Hon. Idris Abdullahi Musa (Kwara State); Mr. Daniel Amokachi (Benue State) and; Mr. Benedict Akwuegbu (Plateau State).

    Current Member of Board, Ms Aisha Falode tops the list of candidates from the South South region, with Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha (Delta State); Mr. Gregory Abang (Cross River State); Mr. Roland Abu Omomoh (Edo State); Barr. Poubeni Ogun (Bayelsa State); Mr Jarret Tenebe (Edo State) and; Rt. Hon. Essien Udofot (Akwa Ibom State) also vying for seats from that zone.

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi leads the list of contestants for seats from the South West, with Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Ondo State); Mr. Ayodeji Ogunjobi (Osun State); Alhaji Olawale Gafar Liameed (Lagos State); Mr. Afolabi Taiwo Olugbenga (Osun State); Mr. Ayodeji Adegbenro (Ondo State) and Barr. Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi (Osun State) also in the race.

    North East candidates are current Member of Board, Alhaji Babagana Kalli (Borno State); Barr. Sajo Mohammed (Adamawa State) and; Mr. Timothy Henman Magaji (Taraba State)

    Current Member of Board, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Kano State) is the only candidate from the North West.

    The elections will commence after other items on the agenda for the 78th Annual General Assembly have been dealt with. Winners would be sworn in immediately after the elections.

  • NFF Election: Akinwunmi lists 4-point agenda to lift Nigerian football

    NFF Election: Akinwunmi lists 4-point agenda to lift Nigerian football

    The 1st Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi, on Sunday unveiled a 4-point agenda of his bid to become the President of the the body in the September presidential election.

    Akinwunmi revealed the 4-point agenda at a media interactive session held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Lagos.

    The NFF 1st Vice President has declared to run for the NFF presidency scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30, in Benin-City, Edo State.

    Akinwunmi is hoping to take over the baton from the incumbent, Amaju Pinnick, who came into office eight years ago

    Akinwunmi who doubles as the Chairman, Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) said that as an experienced football administrator, he possessed the right credentials to take over the mantle of leadership at the NFF.

    “I am equipped for this job; I have gone through all the cadre of football administration in Nigeria.

    “I started as a grassroots mobiliser, after which I served as the Legal Adviser on Football matters in Lagos State and also appointed into the Presidential Football Development by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I was also appointed as the Legal Adviser to the then Minister of Sports on Football matters and I intervened when FIFA wanted to ban Nigerian Football over some infraction.

    “I was elected as the Chairman of LSFA and during this time I initiated many projects like, Eko Football Festival, Soccerres and the CAF Beach Soccer in Nigeria and then, the 1st VP of NFF,” he said.

    Akinwunmi said as an administrator, he had been the light of moving the football administration forward in Nigeria.

    “I came through the ranks to the top hierarchy in Nigerian football and the present board has come a long way from where we met the football administration.

    “There are some things we have done right and also things we need to improve upon, I know that history will be our judge. I take responsibility for anything we did not do well and glory for things well done.

    “The past circumstances should not hinder me to drive my passion to reach the goals I think Nigerian Football can get to as I will bring my all to the administration of Nigerian football.

    “My desire is to put Nigerian Football at par with any competing football federation in the world,” he said.

    Akinwunmi also gave the 4-point agenda which are based on football development, business of football, infrastructure and technology.

    “I desire to achieve my ambition in NFF on four pillars. The first is football development, which includes grassroots restructuring and development of the league.

    “Second is the business of football, such as investments that can yield return, we also need partners and sponsorships which is the icing on the cake and not the cake itself.

    “Thirdly, infrastructure, we need to encourage people to invest in the league by building small stadium, which they can improve upon, and also in housing scheme,” he said.

    “Fourth is the use of technology for match tickets, to identify the hooligans from the genuine fans,” he said.

  • NFF, family, friends honour late Oyo Orok Oyo in Calabar

    NFF, family, friends honour late Oyo Orok Oyo in Calabar

    The family of Nigeria’s first Member of the FIFA Executive Committee and a former Secretary General of then Nigeria Football Association, late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo, with the support of the Nigeria Football Federation, will on Saturday honour the former football administrator of repute in his hometown of Calabar, Cross River State.

    The occasion falls on the very day that the honorary Life Vice President of the Confederation of African Football would have turned 100 years old if he were still alive.

    Tagged ‘Posthumous Centenary Birthday/Immortalization of Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo (Mr Football)’, the day’s programme starts with a memorial service at the Duke Town Presbyterian Church, Eyamba Street, Calabar at 10am, with the train to immediately after, move to the unveiling ceremony of the tombstone.

    The launching of a book containing the essays of the late sage on Nigeria football and Nigeria sports in general will hold after the unveiling of the tombstone.

    The late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo was the longest-serving Secretary-General of then NFA, was the first Nigerian ever to be elected into the CAF Executive Committee (1972-1998) and also the first Nigerian ever to be elected into the FIFA Executive Committee (now FIFA Council) where he served between 1980 and 1988.

    He was also the first Nigerian to be made honorary Life Vice President of CAF, and was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit in Gold at a ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland in the year 2000.

  • NFF Elections: Electoral Committee rolls out roadmap

    NFF Elections: Electoral Committee rolls out roadmap

    The NFF Electoral Committee 2022 on Wednesday rolled out the time-table towards the elections that have been scheduled for Friday, 30th September 2022 in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

    The process for a new NFF Executive Committee to replace the Amaju Pinnick-board that has served for eight years will commence properly on Monday, 29th August with the sales of nomination forms, endorsements and return of forms. This particular process will last until Thursday, 8th September 2022.

    The screening of candidates will be within two days – Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th September. On Monday, 12th September, the names of candidates that scaled the screening procedure will be released by the Electoral Committee.

    Between Monday, 12th September and Thursday, 15th September, candidates not satisfied with the screening procedure can elect to submit protests while the hearing and determination of the appeals will be done on Friday, 16th and Saturday, 17th September by 12 noon daily.

    The Electoral Committee will release the final list of successful candidates for the elections on Monday, 19th September, with campaigning by the successful candidates to commence on Tuesday, 20th September and end by midnight on Thursday, 29th September 2022.

  • NIKE extends NFF contract, opens Lagos mega-shop

    NIKE extends NFF contract, opens Lagos mega-shop

    Globally -renown kit manufacturers, NIKE have extended their contract agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation until December 2026.

    President of NFF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick said on Thursday that negotiations had been on-going for the past one month before the American foot-and-bodywear behemoth agreed to extend their relationship with Nigeria Football.

    “We talked about several areas they needed to look into and we finally got a deal and extension of the contract until December 2026. I give the credit for this to Members of the NFF Executive Committee and the General Secretary. The new agreement lends credence to NIKE’s faith in Nigeria Football and what we are doing as a Federation. It is a wake-up call for our other sponsors and partners to extend their agreements and for more players in Corporate Nigeria to support the Nigeria game.

    “We have also succeeded in getting our partners Nigerian Breweries PLC to extend their contract with the NFF by one year. Initially, their relationship with the NFF was due to end this year. We got talking and met several times, and finally they agreed to extend by another year after which they will perform a review of the relationship.”

    Meanwhile, kit giants NIKE officially opened their Lagos mega-shop on Thursday. The impressive office is located at the expansive Ikeja Mall, in the heart of one of the city’s main business districts. The mega-shop is the first of planned major outlets on Lagos island and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

  • Costa Rica 2022: Falconets land in Abuja after World Cup exit

    Costa Rica 2022: Falconets land in Abuja after World Cup exit

    After passing the night openly at Istanbul airport, the Falconets landed in Abuja in the early hours of Thursday following their ouster from the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

    Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation and the representative of Minister of Youths and sports, Toyin Ibitoye were on ground to receive the team at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Recall that, the players and officials had issues with transit visas and were forced to sleep out at Istanbul Airport, and also had a few hours of delay in Colombia and Panama.

    Falconets defeated France, South Korea, and Canada to finish top of their group before crashing out following a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands in the quater-finals.

    Speculations are rife that some of the girls will be immediately drafted to the Super Falcons team that will feature at the Senior women’s World Cup slated for Australia in 2023.

     

     

     

  • Why Falconets overstayed at Istanbul airport – NFF

    Why Falconets overstayed at Istanbul airport – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday explained that a number of factors, including the inability to secure transit visas for players and officials of the U20 Girls National Team, Falconets, at the Istanbul Airport, led to the team having to stay 24 hours at the airport in Turkey on their way from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

    “The NFF did not book the team’s tickets from Costa Rica; FIFA did. FIFA also did not envisage the hitches that saw the team delayed for more than three hours in Bogota, and another one hour in Panama. By the time the team got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja had left.

    “Our officials pleaded for compassionate transit visas so as to take the players and officials to a hotel inside the town, but this was not possible as they were informed that Nigeria had been removed from the list of countries whose citizens were issued visa-on-arrival in Turkey.

    “The airline then took the team to a sleeping area at the airport and gave them tickets to have meals every five hours. This situation has nothing to do with NFF, who had made arrangements to receive the team in Abuja before the complications in travel arrangements,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, explained.

    It would be recalled that the NFF had implored world-governing body, FIFA to intervene with the Embassy of Germany to issue the team transit visas before their departure from Nigeria, in order for the team to be able to travel through Germany. This did not happen.

    On the issue of body-wear, Sanusi said: “The players were handed three sets of green jerseys and two sets of white jerseys, several house-wear types and training jerseys. The players opted to wash only their jersey top (no other stuff) because when the first set of body-wear was sent to the laundry people at the hotel, it returned with some FIFA and NFF badges at the front and names at the back peeled by the machine.”

  • Falconets stranded, sleep on floor at Turkey airport [Photos]

    Falconets stranded, sleep on floor at Turkey airport [Photos]

    Nigeria’s Falconets have been pictured in viral photos sleeping on chairs and the floors at Istanbul airport, Turkey, while on their way back home from the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

    This comes barely 48 hours after they crashed out of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

    The two times FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finalists left Costa Rica on Monday, August, 22, at 6:30am (Nigerian Time).

    Following their arrival in Turkey, the squad were left stranded at the Istanbul Airport for 24 hours.

    ALSO READ || Why Falconets overstayed at Istanbul airport – NFF

    Veteran sports journalist, Collins Udoh, who shared the photos on Instagram, wrote: “Nigeria’s #Falconets have been traveling from Costa Rica since 6:30am on Monday. They’re now in Istanbul on a 24-hour layover and sleeping on the airport chairs and floor, or wherever they can find.”

    See photos:

     

     

     

  • NFF election: Musa Amadu endorsed for President

    NFF election: Musa Amadu endorsed for President

    Ex-international Victor Ikpeba and former Gombe State Football Association Chairman, Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, are among several stakeholders who have endorsed Musa Amadu for the position of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President.

    The ex-internationals gave their endorsements on Tuesday in Abuja, during Amadu’s official declaration to vie for the position during the forthcoming elective congress.

    The NFF Congress had on Thursday at its 77th General Assembly in Lagos fixed Sept. 30 for its 2022 Elective Congress in Benin City

    Gara-Gombe said he has chosen to endorse Amadu’s candidature because he was a man of integrity.

    He recalled that it was one of the main reasons which led to his resignation as the federation’s General Secretary in 2015.

    “We were at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the then Minister of Sports rushed back to Nigeria to meet former President Goodluck Jonathan and obtained some money to the tune of 2.6 million dollars as a loan to bail the Super Eagles out.

    “The cash was taken in diplomatic bags to the World Cup with the understanding that when the competition’s prize money from FIFA is paid to the NFF, the money borrowed would be refunded to the Federal Government.

    “Unfortunately, the money came back and the leadership of the NFF directed Amadu via a text message to pay the money into a private account.

    “However, Amadu refused to carry out the instruction and that was how he resigned from his job.

    “The leadership had wanted to charge him for insubordination and his response was that he had no issues with transferring the money but that the instruction must be in writing and not via text message.

    “He argued that it had never been part of the football association’s financial control system to give instructions to transfer such a huge money via a text message,” Garba-Gombe claimed.

    Also speaking, Ikpeba said he decided to come and see things for himself at Amadu’s declaration and he was happy to see the full body of stakeholders well represented at the event.

    “I have known Amadu for almost 25 years now and can attest to the fact that he is indeed a man of integrity.

    “I am not talking about the politics of the elections in a month’s time, but I have come here to listen and see things for myself.

    “We’ve come a long way and I think my presence here today speaks volumes and signifies an intent of purpose and change.

    “I think we need change and we cannot shy away from that fact. NFF’s Technical Committee Chairman (Ahmed Yusuf) as well as the League Management Committee (LMC) Chairman (Shehu Dikko) are all here and they are all my friends.

    “Most of the State Football Association Chairmen are also here and that says a lot.

    “I think all that is left now is for you all to search your conscience and do what is right for Nigerian football,” he said.

    Also in attendance at the event were a former Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ibrahim Galadima.

    There were also two former General Secretaries of the federation, namely Dr Tijani Yusuf and Fanny Amun, as well as current members of the NFF Executive Committee.

    These include: Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF’s First Vice-President; Dikko, the Second Vice-President; Yusuf; and Mohammed Alkali, Chairman of Nationwide League One (NLO).

    Also in attendance were Godfrey Gaiya, a former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, and Ikeddy Isiguzo, former Chairman of the Editorial Board of Vanguard Newspapers.

    There were also the Chairmen of Football Associations (FAs) in Sokoto, Gombe, Nasarawa states, as well as Jigawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau.

    Also in attendance were Rafiu Ladipo, the President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club, as well as ex-internationals Emmanuel Babayaro, Sunday Mbah, Fengor Ogude and Maureen Mmadu, among others.

    We need to get it right, NFF presidential aspirant Amadu says

    Meanwhile, Musa Amadu, in his remarks during his official declaration to run for the office of NFF President in the federation’s forthcoming elective congress, harped on the need to get it right in the country’s football administration.

    The NFF Congress had adopted Sept. 30 as date for its 2022 Elective Congress in Benin City at the end of its 77th General Assembly held in Lagos on Thursday.

    Amadu who is a former NFF General Secretary, said his plan to ensure that things were gotten right in the administration of football in the country from 2022 had been outlined in his 22-point agenda.

    “My aim is to ensure that the 22 points are well harnessed to build a complete and totally unique Nigerian football culture where everyone associated with the game is a stakeholder.

    “We want to build an image of Nigerian football that will make the Nigerian person walk tall in the street anywhere in the world.

    “We want to create opportunities for people who hitherto would not have had a chance to be anywhere near a football field.

    “We will create job opportunities that will take our youths off the streets, football opportunities that will empower every sector of our society and create gainful employment.

    “And what about those that are in the game? We want to create the real feel-good factor, a sense of belonging in the long run.

    “In short, for those that come into contact with the game and those who would not have had the chance, we will give life-defining experiences that will be unforgettable,” he said.

    The former NFF General Secretary also said part of his plans was to develop the game at the grassroots.

    He promised to work closely with the State Football Associations to unearth the best talents in the game and give them a future.

    “We will work closely with the State FAs to enhance the principle of sports and fitness in our schools, finding the best talents not only on the playing field, but also in all other areas of football management and operations,” Amadu said.

    He lamented the fact that while Nigeria was blessed with almost 1,000 footballers playing in Europe’s top leagues all over, it has only won three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophies.

    The former NFF General Secretary said it was time to bring those glory days of Nigerian football back, adding that he would not relent until trophies were won for the country.

    “Our players are doing well in their various clubs, (Victor) Osimhen is banging in goals, as is (Emmanuel) Dennis, whose transfer fee is a staggering 20 million pounds.

    “(Wilfred) Ndidi is commanding the midfield, and (Calvin) Bassey is the young one we are all proud of. There are many more, yet we are not ranked at the top of the game in Africa.

    “No disrespect to other nations, but Nigeria has to take a pride of place at the elite level, making podium appearances at most tournaments at all levels.

    “I will set up a National Teams Management Board that will oversee all Team Nigeria matters beyond just the playing side of things, and bring back the glory days.

    “Those days that we got used to while I was General Secretary must come back! We just need to get it right,” he said.

    In terms of the development of women’s football in the country, he said that the women and girls who had brought pride to the nation on and outside the pitch deserved better.

    He said that there was a need to give women football at the domestic level the funding it deserves.

    ”We will drive sponsorship towards the country’s products, league and officials by engaging proven consultants with integrity.

    “We dominated women’s football in Africa for so long, so much so that we assumed it was our birthright.

    “Now we have seen the reality, the reality is that the gap is closing on us.

    “We need to step up our game, and give women’s football what it is due. Not just for the Super Falcons, but the further development of women’s football in Nigeria.

    “The global debate on gender pay disparity is gaining ground, and we will look at it actively with respect to our women teams,” Amadu said.

    He promised that a Musa Amadu Presidency would be accountable to the nation, adding that the NFF’s relationship with the government was also key.

    “We always run to government when we need funding for our projects, but we cry foul when they show an interest in what we are doing and call it interference.

    “We are partners in progress and will maintain partnership and create an NFF/Government Liaison structure that is workable, as has been working in many countries I have had the opportunity to visit and understudy.

    “We will be transparent and judicious in our use of the FIFA Forward  Funds that come from Zurich, and work very hard to draw sponsorship to supplement what FIFA does for us.

    “We will operate more transparently to earn the trust of our stakeholders, sponsors, government and ultimately the over 200 million Nigerians who love the round leather game,” Amadu said.