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Tag: NFF

  • Pinnick opens up on corruption allegations against him, NFF board

    Pinnick opens up on corruption allegations against him, NFF board

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has dismissed allegations of corruption and financial misappropriation leveled against him and his board.

    Pinnick and his board are alleged to have embezzled $650,000, originally meant for a friendly match against Bolivia in Uyo in 2015, donated by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio.
    Speaking on a radio programme, The Hangout, on Metro FM and Bond FM, Pinnick said they were simply misinformed.

    He explained that the Ebola outbreak at the time, prevented Bolivia from traveling to Nigeria, although they hinged their refusal to honour the international friendly on security concerns.

    According to Pinnick, the NFF later got Uganda as a late replacement and at the end of the match which was played on March 25, the balance was refunded to the Akwa Ibom State government.

    “We were meant to play Bolivia and it was captured. That money was not given to us by FIFA, it was given to us by the Akwa Ibom State government. I went to the Liaison office in Abuja to see Akpabio then the governor of Akwa Ibom State and he said let’s play Bolivia.

    “But because there was Ebola in Nigeria, Bolivia didn’t want to come out to say it was Ebola, they cited security issues because it was the day after the national election that brought in President Buhari in 2015.

     

    “After Bolivia turned down our request, we had about 4 days to work out something, that prompted our call to the Ugandans and they were very happy and they came to Akwa Ibom and they even defeated us there in Akwa Ibom. And we did plus and minus and the balance was given to the Akwa Ibom State government,” he said.

    Pinnick also slammed claims that NFF board members are in office for personal gains.

    “For me as president, I forfeited my legitimate entitlements to housing which my predecessors had always collected as I am not interested in dipping my hands into the NFF finances.

    “My predecessor (Aminu Maigari) got N12m to N13m every year for accommodation. In four years that is N48m. I have been president for five years, I have the same entitlements, I have not collected a dime for accommodation.

    “The reason why I am doing that is not because I have too much money, but simply following my passion. So when I hear people say NFF board members are corrupt I wonder where the corruption is coming from.

    “The Executive Members are driven by passion and are not there because of what to benefit; please these people should allow us run Nigerian football.

    “From the start of my tenure till date, it’s been one induced crisis to the other. The distractions have remained our only impediment not to attain one hundred percent self-funding by now.

    “What we tried to do is to build Nigerian football and allow corporate companies look at it as an entity they can partner not just for prominence or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but a relationship that will also be beneficial to them.

    “The decision of some persons to constantly attack me and the board serves no good purpose and has been counterproductive because it ditches the drive to get more private sector partners to invest and help grow the game locally.

    “The protracted Chris Giwa crisis cost the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) from going back on television. The flag off of the La Liga / NPFL Under 15 tourney was also stopped.

    “Obviously, people do not understand the magnitude of destruction which has plagued Nigerian football due to this crisis,” he added.

  • NFF appoints Chukwu “Life Ambassador’ as son gets automatic employment

    NFF appoints Chukwu “Life Ambassador’ as son gets automatic employment

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has directed the immediate employment of Emeka Chukwu, the first son of ailing former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu.

    This is just as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick on Wednesday announced the appointment of the former coach as NFF Ambassador.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the appointments came simultaneously when the NFF boss in company of Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of Otedola Foundation visited Chukwu in his Enugu residence.

    The State Commissioner for Sports, Josef Udedi made the announcement after a closed door meeting between the delegation and the family of Chukwu.

    Udedi said that the engineering graduate would be given automatic employment by the state government.

    On his part, Pinnick said that the NFF would approve an appointment for the former skipper of the Green Eagles as a Life Ambassador of the organisation.

    He said that the management of the NFF would work out a stipend that would be paid to him.

    Udedi said that the football house was desirous of improving the welfare of ex-internationals.

    He said that one of the objectives of the proposed NFF Foundation was to build a database of every player that represented the country whether in the past or in time to come.

    NAN reports that a cheque of N18million was presented to Chukwu for his foreign medical trip by the Otedola Foundation.

  • NFF appoints media officers for National Teams

    NFF appoints media officers for National Teams

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday announced the appointments of new Media Officers for the various National Teams.

    In a statement signed by Demola Olajire, NFF Director of Communication, Toyin Ibitoye and Miss Jane Nweze have been retained for the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons, respectively, until after the two teams’ major championships.

    He said Ibitoye and Nweze will still retain their positions until the Super Eagles’ AFCON finals in Egypt and the Super Falcons’ FIFA World Cup finals in France.

    Olajire, however, announced the appointment of Pius Ayinor as media officer for the Super Eagles B, also known as CHAN Eagles.

    “Sharif Abdallah will serve as media officer for the U-23 National Team (Olympic Eagles), while Andrew Randa will take charge at the camp of the U-20 Boys National Team (Flying Eagles).

    “Cecilia Omorogbe will work with the U-20 Girls (Falconets), while Francis Achi will serve the U-17 Boys (Golden Eaglets) and Faith Meremegbunam will work with the U-17 Girls (Flamingos).

    “Tobi Adepoju will be media officer of the U-15 National Boys (Future Eagles),’’ Olajire said.

    According to him, all the newly-appointed media officers will serve until after their next major championships, before giving way to other persons to also benefit from the experience.

  • NFF congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo on reelection

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday congratulated His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    In the early hours of Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared President Buhari duly re-elected along with his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “The NFF is excited by the victory of President Buhari. We attribute all the successes that we have had in football in the past four years to His Excellency, working closely and in unison with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other key members of his administration.

    “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has provided a conducive environment necessary for the game of football to thrive in our dear country and we believe that the next four years will be even more fruitful for Nigerian football,” NFF President Amaju Pinnick, said.

    Pinnick, who alongside the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, is attending the FIFA Executive Football Summit in Rome, Italy, said the various accomplishments of Nigerian Football locally and internationally in the past four years, on and off the field, could not have seen the light of day without the active support and encouragement of the Buhari Government.

    “We will always remain very grateful to His Excellency and his Government. We have received the maximum support from the administration. We will work even harder in the next four years to take Nigerian Football to even higher heights of excellence.”

    In the past four years of the Buhari administration, Nigerian Football has blossomed on and off the field, with FIFA and CAF appointments for Nigerians more than ever before. Pinnick himself became the first –ever 1st Vice President of CAF from Nigeria. He is also a Member of the Organising Committee for FIFA Competitions, and President of the organising committee for the AFCON – CAF’s flagship competition.

    Other Nigerians such as Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Ethics Committee, Adjudicatory Chamber) and Shehu Dikko (Football Stakeholders Committee) are in FIFA, while Senior Advocate A. U. Mustapha is president of the CAF Appeals Board. Samson Adamu (Director of Competitions) and Christian Emeruwa (Head of Safety and Security) have lead roles in CAF.

    Pinnick’s deputy, Seyi Akinwunmi (Youth Competitions); Dikko (Inter-Clubs and Club Licensing); Ahmed Yusuf (Technical and Development); Ibrahim Gusau (CHAN); Ifeanyi Ubah (AFCON); Obinna Ogba (Futsal and Beach Soccer); Peter Singabele (Medical) and; Chisom Ezeoke (Women’s Football) are all in CAF committees.

     

  • Ogunjobi dedicated his life to football administration – Dalung

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Solomon Dalung, has described Taiwo Ogunjobi as humble technocrat, who dedicated his life to the administration of football in Nigeria.

    Dalung stated this in a statement signed by Nneka Anibeze, Speical Assistant, Media, to the minister on Monday, in Abuja.

    He said the news of the demise of the former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) scribe, Ogunjobi was shocking.

    The minister said the sad news was announced by late Chief Ogunjobi’s Personal Assistant Tunde Shamsudeen on Monday.

    Dalung said Ogunjobi reportedly died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

    “The former Osun State Football Association Chairman was a humble technocrat who dedicated his life to the administration of football in Nigeria.

    “I am shocked to hear of Chief Ogunjobi’s death. I saw him last year prior to the NFF elections.

    “He came to personally inform me of his intent to contest the NFF presidential elections.

    “He was a seasoned administrator and had contributed immensely to the development of football in Nigeria, especially in his home state, Osun.

    “I commiserate with his immediate family members, the Osun State football Association, and other football stakeholders who knew or worked with him.

    “He has left an indelible mark and a vacuum in football administration in the country. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family, the fortitude to bear this loss.’’

    Ogunjobi’s last public appearance was on Wednesday at the Oshogbo Township Stadium during a Week 7 NPFL Southwest derby between Remo Stars and MFM FC.

    He was a Special Assistant to former Osun State Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, on Football matters.

    Ogunjobi served as Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation from 1996 to 2010 and captained the former IICC Shooting Stars in the late 1970s, winning two continental championships.

  • Former Secretary General of NFF, Taiwo Ogunjobi is dead

    Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), is dead.

    Ogunjobi, who before his demise was the Chairman of Osun Football Association, was confirmed dead by his Media aide, Mr Tunde Shamsudeen.

    Shamsudeen told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Osogbo, that Ogunjobi passed on in the early hours of Monday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    He said the former NFF Secretary-General was admitted at the hospital three days ago.

    Shamudeen did not disclose the nature of the ailment that took Ogunjobi to the hospital but said he would provide further details later.

  • NFF reacts as Kanu loses hotel, medals

    The Nigeria Football Federation has reacted to the plight of former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu.

    The former Arsenal star had on Tuesday lamented that most of his valued property, including his medals and Olympic torch, has been looted from his forfeited Lagos hotel by unknown persons.

    In a brief statement in reaction to this, Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, President, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed the disappearance of the medals and trophies.

    Pinnick said Nwankwo was “in intense pain” at their loss.

    “Kanu worked very hard from a humble beginning to accumulate whatever he has today and to earn those precious valuables,” he said in a statement.

    “We respectfully call on the Nigeria police and other security agencies to work hard at unravelling the perpetrators of this nefarious act.”

  • Falcons to play about 10 matches before 2019 Women’s World Cup – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday said it has put in place plans to provide the Super Falcons with better preparations for the 8thFIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that the federation had made plans for the African champions to participate in about 10 matches altogether.

    “Participation in the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in China from Jan. 17 to Jan. 20 will be followed by participation in the Cyprus Women’s Cup billed for Feb. 25 to March 7.

    “They will then play planned friendly matches with Spain or Canada before a final training camp in Austria that could also take in two tune-up games,’’ he said.

    Already, the NFF has announced that the Falcons would have their final camping programme at the same Avita Hotel and Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles stayed at that same facility before heading to Russia to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    Olajire disclosed that players and officials of the nine-time African champions were on Tuesday at the Embassy of China in Abuja for visa processing.

    “The team is expected to fly out of Nigeria to China on Monday,’’ he said.

    Hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic are the other teams taking part in the four-day invitational.

    The NFF official added that the players and officials would on return from the invitational tournament in China begin visa processing for the trip to Cyprus.

    “They will take part in a 12-nation Invitational Tournament between Feb. 25 and March 7.

    “Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, North Korea, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa and Thailand are the other nations taking part.

    “Of the lot, Nigeria, Italy, South Africa and Thailand will be going to France,’’ he said.

    Olajire disclosed also that Spain and Canada have approached Nigeria for friendly matches.

    Spain will face South Africa, Germany and China in Group B at France 2019, while Canada will also take on African team Cameroon, New Zealand and The Netherlands in Group E.

    “Jamaica, who play Australia, Italy and Brazil in Group C, have also written to the NFF expressing interest in playing against the Super Falcons,’’ he added.

    Nigeria are the only African country to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched in China in 1991.

    The African champions, who are the Women National Team of Year 2018 in Africa, will tackle host nation France, Korea Republic and Norway in Group A of this summer’s finals.

    The Super Falcons, who were quarter-finalists in 1999, will open their account in France against Norway, at the 21,000-capacity Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims on June 8.

    They will then face Korea Republic in Grenoble on June 12 and hosts France in Rennes on June 17.

    The 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will hold from June 7 to July 7.

    France will be up against Korea Republic in the opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on June 7.

  • NFF orders 2018/2019 NPFL season must begin Jan. 13

    NFF orders 2018/2019 NPFL season must begin Jan. 13

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it has advised the League Management Company (LMC) to ensure the commencement of 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season not later than Jan. 13.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, in a statement on Friday said the NFF Emergency Committee took the decision in reaction to letters received from clubs.

    “Clubs which qualified for the Super 8 Tournament of the Nigeria National League (NNL) say their teams were depleted and therefore they do not have enough personnel to prosecute the competition as earlier scheduled.

    “This would have enabled the NPFL to commence on Dec. 30,’’ he said.

    The NFF official said the three clubs which showed up in Aba as directed would each receive a compensation in the sum of N2 million each.

    Olajire added that the matter of the five clubs which failed to show up for the Super 8 would meanwhile be referred to the relevant NFF committee to deal with.

    He said the five clubs would be given a two-week period of grace to recruit players to beef up their playing personnel before going on to play in the NNL Super 8.

    “The NNL has thus been directed therefore to pick new dates not later than Jan. 3 for the tournament,’’ Olajire said.

     

  • NFF signs improved long-term contract with Nike

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has signed an improved four-year contract with Nike, till 2022 with an option to extend the deal by another four years.

    The “improved” agreement was signed on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by officials from both organisations in Asaba, Delta state capital.

    The four-year deal has a renewal clause that will extend the partnership to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    President of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick, wearing a Nigeria home kit, expressed his satisfaction at the new deal from Nike highlighting the progress made compared to past years.

    “I am happy we are here now. We now have an improved offer. We are Nike’s beautiful bride. We are one of only two countries they are sponsoring in Africa.

    “A few months after we came on board for our first term in office, I was told that we needed to buy jerseys for the National Team to play a football match.

    “That was how bad it was because the kit sponsor at that time terminated the contract.

    “So, I made contacts with some highly connected persons and worked hard to convince Nike to come on board. We were coming from a weak position but they made the agreement flexible for us.

    “Today, we are happy we teamed up with Nike because after we qualified and participated at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, the company was the one chasing us for a new improved contract.

    Shehu Dikko, chairman of NFF marketing, sponsorship and TV rights committee, said all the national teams “are captured” in the new deal.

    Tina Salminen, Nike’s sports marketing director (African Football), said the company is “very happy with its relationship with Nigeria”.

    Salminen added: “The jersey we designed for Nigeria for the FIFA World Cup won the award as for best-designed jersey and was hugely popular.

    “It has remained a source of reference in Nike meetings and events ever since. Nigeria is one of the big teams in world football and we are happy to get them to sign a long-term contract.”