| Out-going President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick at the weekend warned that incorrigible violators of the FIFA –approved NFF Statutes risk several sanctions, which could include and may not be limited to outright ban from participation in the beautiful game.
Pinnick, who is also a Member of the CAF Executive Committee, made this statement in the light of further threats by certain forces within the football ecosystem to drag Nigeria Football to court for nothing more than peaceful conduct of the 77th Annual General Assembly that took place in Lagos on Thursday.
“I want to say that enough is enough. We have tolerated these individuals for much longer than necessary. I am leaving the position of NFF Presidency in a few weeks but I am still a Member of the FIFA Council and I can talk about Nigeria Football anywhere. It is time to call the bluff of these persons. Their actions not only malign and defame the NFF; these also de-market the NFF to a certain degree.
“If the NFF holds a General Assembly, they go to court. If the NFF does not hold, they go to court. Every single day, they want to go to court. It is their right, but it is also the right of the NFF to curtail such excesses. FIFA clearly stipulates that football matters are not meant for civil courts, and further infractions by anyone would be met with the stiffest of sanctions, including but not limited to outright ban from the game.”
Article 69 (1) of the NFF Statutes 2010 stipulates: “NFF, its members, players, officials and match and player’s agents will not take any dispute to ordinary courts unless specifically provided for in these Statutes and FIFA regulations. Any disagreement shall be submitted to the jurisdiction of FIFA, CAF, WAFU or NFF.
(2) NFF shall have jurisdiction on internal national disputes i.e, disputes between parties belonging to NFF. FIFA shall have jurisdiction on international disputes, i.e, disputes between parties belonging to different Associations and/or Confederations.”
It would be recalled that the 77th Annual General Assembly of the NFF was delayed for eight months because some persons went to court to secure an ex parte injunction, stopping the event from holding as scheduled on 17th December 2021.
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Tag: NFF
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Pinnick talks tough, says Statutes violators could face outright ban
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We’re ready for the task at hand – Chairman, NFF Electoral Committee
The Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee 2022, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik has declared that himself and his team are ready to accomplish the task at hand with utmost integrity and credibility, saying transparency and diligence will be their watchwords.
Speaking on Friday (a day after the Congress of Nigeria Football constituted the NFF Electoral Committee and NFF Election Appeals Committee at its Annual General Assembly in Lagos), the Senior Advocate assured that the business of giving Nigeria a new NFF Executive Committee will be done without fear or favour, and within the 42 –day time-span.
A native of Edo State, Senior Advocate Malik was born and brought up in Ibadan, where he had his primary and secondary education, and attended the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He has a master’s degree in law and certificates in international criminal justice and administration as well as public prosecution.
A former special assistant to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malik was the best graduating student in library, archival and information studies at the University of Ibadan in 1993.
At its 77th Annual General Assembly on Thursday, the NFF Congress set aside the provisions of the NFF Statutes 2010 and the NFF Electoral Code 2009 that provide for a certain duration between the time of constitution of the Electoral Committee and the conduct of elections. This enabled the Congress to set up both the Electoral Committee and the Election Appeals Committee with a mandate for the conduct of elections on 30th September 2022 in Benin City.
NFF ELECTORAL COMMITTEE 2022:
Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik – SAN – (Chairman)
Justice Abdulkadir Zakarriya (Vice Chairman)
Babatunde Ogala – SAN – (Member)
Daha Umar Daura – Danburam – (Member)
Gambo Mamman (Member)
Alternate Members: Barr. Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo
NFF ELECTION APPEALS COMMITTEE 2022:
Barr. Gandi Umar – mni – (Chairman)
Ayo Akindele – SAN – (Vice Chairman)
Rev. Obioman Onyeaghala (Member)
Alternate Members: Barr. Chive Kaave; Barr. Idi Halidu Ali
PHOTO: Senior Advocate Malik, Chairman of the NFF Electoral Committee
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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.’’
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NFF to host Annual General Assembly in Lagos on Thursday
The Nigeria Football Federation will host its 77th Annual General Assembly in Lagos on Thursday, 18th August 2022.
Earlier scheduled also for the City of Lagos on 17th December last year, the event was put on hold as a result of an ex parte injunction issued by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State following the filing of a suit by some football stakeholders.
Thursday’s event is slated to hold at the Best Western Plus Hotel, Victoria Island and will welcome the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 44 Members of the NFF (Football Associations of all the 36 States and the FCT; the Leagues; Coaches Association; Referees Association and; the Players’ Union); Members of the NFF Executive Committee; invited dignitaries; NFF Management and Staff and; a number of other stakeholders.
The General Assembly will consider a roadmap towards this year’s Elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation, as well as such items as may be proposed by the Members or Members of the Executive Committee.
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FG Frowns at NFF Over Aiteo Cup Crisis, Domestic League Dis-Organization
The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction over the football crisis generated by the Aiteo/FA Cup imbroglio, as well as degradation of domestic league football in the country, due to inconsistent calendaring and other attendant problems.The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, through its Press and Public Relations Unit reacts to the latest crisis where football clubs have pulled out of the AITEO Cup.“It is unacceptable that teams were treated against the rules but according to other considerations not in the rule books. Our league has never sunk this low. Several times, through writing and verbal discussions, the Ministry has brought this to the attention of NFF and persons in charge of the Domestic league. Unfortunately, things are getting bad, instead of getting better. Federal Government will be left with no choice than to act to save the crumbling system in place and bring about desired changes.”“Federal Government is mandating the NFF to act swiftly and find encompassing and sustainable solutions to all contending issues around the Aiteo Cup. There is a race against time to act, so the NFF must swing to work swiftly to restore sanity,”“The NFF should know that a critical aspect of the country’s sports cannot be experiencing degradation due to bad management from the administrators and expect Government to keep quiet. Government will not stand idly by and watch our domestic football come to disgrace.” -
NFF to be part of Orok Oyo’s centennial celebrations in Calabar
The leadership of Nigeria Football Federation will be part of the celebrations being organized in honour of a former three-term Secretary-General of the football body and Nigeria’s first-ever Member of the FIFA and CAF Executive Committees, Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo in the Cross River State capital, Calabar on 27th August this year.
The man who was popularly known as ‘Mr Football’ would have been 100 years on 27th August 2022, having been born on that date in the year 1922.
One of Africa, nay the world’s most renowned football administrators, Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo served as Secretary-General of then Nigeria Football Association in 1958, and then between 1961 and 1963, and also between 1967 and 1971. He then moved to the Confederation of African Football, where he served as Member of the Executive Committee from 1974 to 1988.
Etubom Oyo was also Nigeria’s first-ever Member of the FIFA Executive Committee, and retired as Life Vice President of CAF. He died on 10th September 2008.
“We are planning a glamour event to celebrate Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo, and the family is working with a number of friends and the NFF to make it a memorable occasion. On the day, we will be launching a book that is a compilation of all the writings and speeches of the late Etubom Oyo, and we will also be launching the O3 Foundation on the same day,” Chief Orok Oyo, son of the late Etubom Oyo, said on Wednesday.
President of the NFF, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick is expected to lead a strong NFF team that will also include the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi to Calabar for the historic event.
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Again, FIFA orders NFF to pay ex-super Eagles coach, Rohr $378k compensation fee
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay former Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr a compensation fee for terminating the Franco-German contract.
Rohr was sacked by the NFF last December, a few weeks before the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Cameroon.
Although NFF cited the Super Eagles’ poor performance in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as one of the reasons behind their decision.
The initial agreement between the NFF and Rohr was for the soccer house to pay the German until the end of his contract, which would expire in December 2022.
The 68-year-old later went to FIFA to protest his unlawful termination by the NFF which he termed a contract breach.
FIFA in its ruling added that the NFF would be sanctioned if Rohr is not paid in full within 45 days.
“If full payment (including all applicable interest) is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision, the respondent [the NFF] shall be restricted from receiving a percentage of development funding, up until the due amounts are paid,” the body said.
Gernot Rohr is a German professional football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of the Nigerian national team.
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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.
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NFF Gen-Sec, Sanusi becomes Title Holder of Gwandu Emirate Council
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, Major-General Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar, CFR, mni, has appointed the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi as the Dan Bauran Gwandu, which means the Title Holder of Gwandu – an emirate in Kebbi State.
In a letter addressed to Dr. Sanusi and signed on the Emir’s behalf by Ibrahim Ahmad Gwandu (Secretary of Gwandu Emirate Council), Sanusi was commended for his contributions and services to the emirate and Nigeria at large.
“This honour is accorded to you in recognition and appreciation of your services and contribution to the development of Gwandu Emirate, Kebbi State, and the country in general. The Emirate Council hopes to continue to benefit from your wealth of experience, foresight, and wisdom. As a title holder, you are required to actively participate in our activities. Similarly, you will be invited from time to time by His Royal Highness the Emir of Gwandu for consultations as the need arises.”
Sanusi, who already holds the title of Danmasani Wajeke of Wammako town in Sokoto State, served as Director of Competitions of the Nigeria Football Federation before he was appointed the General Secretary in March 2015. He holds a doctorate in sports administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is also a FIFA and CAF Match Commissioner.
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Pinnick hails ‘fabulous’ Falcons, says NFF will prepare team adequately for World Cup
President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has showered encomiums on nine-time African champions, Super Falcons for a valiant display despite several odds and obstacles in their“Of course, we would have been happy to be in the Final and chase a 10th title. But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation. semi final encounter against host nation Morocco in Rabat on Monday night.
“Of course, we would have been happy to be in the Final and chase a 10th title. But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation.
“To play 50 minutes of a game with only nine players is not an easy task. The Super Falcons gave their all and were truly fabulous. They had the ‘Nigeria spirit’ in them and showed a sense of patriotism, were dogged and refused to give up. Penalties are forever a lottery, so it could have gone either way. I commend the team for the outing.”
The explusion of midfielder Halimat Ayinde in the 49th minute reduced Nigeria to 10 players, before referee Maria Rivet from Mauritius handed forward Rasheedat Ajibade a red card in the 70th minute, which cut Nigeria’s playing strength by two for the remaining 50 minutes (20 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time) of the thrilling encounter,
Uchenna Kanu had a touch on Nigeria’s goal in the 62nd minute though it was recorded as an own goal by Yasmin Mrabet, and Nigeria could have put the match in the bag when substitute Gift Monday rocked the crossbar with a well-taken shot from outside the box 11 minutes into extra time.
“Our girls did a massive job on a night they were not only depleted but challenged by laser lights trained on their eyes by the crowd. I am enamoured by their resilience and tenacity. The next step now is for the Federation to do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for the FIFA World Cup finals coming up next year.”
Pinnick added that he is delighted with the strong pipeline at the moment, with the U20 girls and U17 girls having also qualified for their respective FIFA World Cup tournaments and boasting interesting prospects who can easily fit into the senior team.
“The supply line looks strong enough to continue to present us with good and ambitious players for the coming years. We will have a delightful combination of experienced and youthful players for the World Cup finals.”
Already, the NFF has secured a total of four friendly matches for the Falcons in the Fall, with the team scheduled to play the United States Women’s National Team in Kansas City and Washington D. C in September, and also to fly to Japan to take on that country’s women’s squad in Kobe in October. Both opponents offer diversity in style and approach.
Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa and Zambia have qualified automatically for the 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup fiesta to be staged in five Australian cities and four New Zealand cities 20th July – 20th August 2023. Cameroon and Senegal will battle for slots at a 10-team Playoff Tournament in New Zealand early next year.
The Super Falcons have arrived in Casablanca on Tuesday for Friday’s third place match against Zambia at the Complexe Mohamed V.