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Tag: NFF

  • NFF crisis: FIFA rejects Dalung’s proposed visit to Zurich

    World’s Football governing body, FIFA have turned down a proposed visit by a Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister for Sports, Solomon Dalung in a bid to discuss the ongoing leadership tussle rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Dalung Nigeria are facing a race against time to avoid a worldwide ban from football after FIFA gave Nigeria until Monday, August 20, 2018 to handover the administration and offices of the Football Federation to Amaju Pinnick and his Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.

    In a bid to circumvent FIFA’s judgment, www.aclsports.com exclusively scooped that Dalung wrote to FIFA on Wednesday, August 15, through the office of the Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, seeking to meet with the FIFA President Gianni Infantino alongside members of his reconciliatory committee and Chris Giwa, head of the other faction.

    However, FIFA, in a swift reply to Dalung’s request, signed by its Secretary General Fatma Samoura and made available to www.aclsports.com rejected the idea while reiterating the stance of the Bureau Council of FIFA to ban Nigeria on Monday if they fail to do as requested.

    “While we are aware of the seriousness and urgency of the matter, we regret to inform you that we are not in a position to respond favourably to your request for an appointment with the FIFA Ieadership. In fact, the FIFA President is indisposed during the proposed period,” stated FIFA in their response.

    Those on Dalung’s proposed delegation to Zurich include; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Olusade Adesola, former NFA Chairmen, Ibrahim Galadima and Anthony Kodjo Williams, former NFF Secretary General Bolaji Ojo Oba, Amaju Pinnick, Mohammed Sanusi and Chris Giwa.

    “Moreover, we would Iike to recall that one member of the proposed delegation, Mr Chris Giwa, is currently under a worldwide ban, in accordance with the decision of the FIFA DiscipIinary Committee dated 10 January 2017 to extend the five—year ban from taking part in any kind of footbaII-related activity imposed by the Nigeria FootbaIl Federation’s (NFF) Disciplinary Committee on 12 May 2016,” added FIFA.

    The governing body also reminded the Minister that the only channel with which it relates to its member bodies is through the legitimate Football Federation and advised him not to use other means in the future.

    “We would Iike to emphasise that we normally communicate with and through our member associations, in this case the NFF under its Iegitimate President Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

    “Consequently, we would be grateful to have any future correspondence be routed through the NFF directly,” said FIFA.

    The Nigerian government has been making efforts to ensure that Nigeria escapes the FIFA hammer and the Acting-President, Yemi Osinbajo has held meetings with the NFF President Pinnick and with the rival, Chris Giwa on resolving the impasse. It remains to be seen to what effect or reason the Minister’s latest move is hinged on.

  • Order DSS’ withdrawal from NFF Secretariat, Footballers tell Osinbajo

    A group representing retired and active footballers on Wednesday in Abuja urged the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, to order an immediate withdrawal of security personnel from the Nigeria Football Federation Secretariat.

    The group was led by Harrison Jalla, President of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), as well as Victor Baribote, a former Second Vice-President of NFF.

    It argued that the presence of men of the Department of State Security at the Glass House at Wuse Zone 7 in Abuja was inimical to football development.

    During a peaceful protest at the NFF Secretariat, just before the gates leading to the Glass House, the group described the development as a violation of the rule of law.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Nigeria is a creation of law, DSS should obey the laws of the land’’ and “FG, sack DSS Director of Operations’’.

    Other placards bore inscriptions such as “Osinbajo, direct DSS to follow rule of law, our laws are being disobeyed’’ and “Tell DSS to obey rule of law’’.

    Addressing sports journalists thereafter, Jalla noted that the continued presence of the DSS in the NFF Secretariat was an affront on the Nigeria Constitution.

    Jalla restated the call for the withdrawal of DSS personnel, saying it was time to uphold the tenets of the country’s law, and warning that failure to do so could lead to “anarchy’’.

    “There will be anarchy if by tomorrow (Thursday) they (DSS personnel) don’t leave here,’’ he said.

    (NAN)

  • FIFA to suspend Nigeria if Giwa remains in NFF offices

    The Bureau of the FIFA Council will next Monday August 20 suspend Nigeria from engaging in football activities if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who was duly elected on 30 September 2014,

    Nigerian football politics took a new dimension last Monday, when Chris Giwa resumed at the offices of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja, as the president of the football body.

    Giwa has been locked in a leadership tussle with the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board, after an order from a Jos High Court stopped the election which brought Pinnick to office on September 30, 2014 in Warri, Delta State.

    According to a media statement on the official website of FIFA on Tuesday, the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19, as well as art. 14 par. 1 a) of the FIFA Statutes.

    The statement also stated that the suspension would be lifted only once the NFF, under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, confirms that it has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.

    Furthermore, the Bureau also decided that if the suspension of the NFF takes effect, the Nigerian team, the Falconets currently competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 will still be allowed to continue to participate in the tournament on an exceptional basis given that the tournament is underway.

  • Giwa faction distances self from Pinnick-led elective congress time-table

    Chris Giwa, President of a faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress, on Friday said his board would have nothing to do with the adjusted 2018 NFF Elective Congress time-table.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Electoral Committee set up by the Amaju Pinnick-led faction of the NFF had on Thursday rolled out a new time-table.

    It would have led to elections into the NFF Executive Committee 2018-2022, scheduled for Sept. 20.

    Giwa, while reacting in a statement in Abuja, said the time-table should be disregarded, as “it has no place in law and was not sanctioned by our legally-recognised board’’.

    He warned those still parading themselves as members of electoral committee to desist from doing so as they were in breach of the laws of the land.

    “We want to give the last warning, and strongly too, to the electoral committee members to stop forthwith their illegal actions and face the reality that the legally-recognised board did not sanction this electoral time-table,” he said.

    Giwa also warned the committee to stop issuing statements on any purported election or be ready to face the long arm of the law soon.

    “Our being quiet should not be misconstrued as ignorance of the law, as the enrollment order of the Federal High Court, Jos dated June 5 states inter alia:

    “That an order is granted to First and Second Applicants setting aside all acts, resolutions and or decisions made or taken by the Executive Committee of the NFF purportedly elected on Sept. 30, 2014.

    “Including the purported “ban’’ of the Executive Committee elected on Aug. 26, 2014 from all football activities, as illegal, ultra vires, unconstitutional and null and void.’’

    NAN reports that the Electoral Committee had announced an adjustment of the election time-table from Sept. 30 to Sept. 20.

    It noted that the amendments to the 2018 NFF Elections Time-table had been adopted by the Electoral Committee, consequent upon the resolutions of the NFF Extra-Ordinary General Assembly.

    NAN also reports that the Extra-Ordinary General Assembly was held in Benin City on Aug. 2.

    The NFF Congress had at the assembly suspended the statutory provisions of the 2010 NFF Statutes, NFF Electoral Code 2009 and Guidelines for Elections into the NFF 2018.

    NAN

  • Aminu committee will restore peace in NFF, ex-footballer says

    A former Green Eagles player, Arthur Egbuna, on Friday expressed confidence in the ability of the Abdulmumini Aminu-led committee to ensure peace reigns within the Nigerian football family.

    Egbuna told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka that the committee, with the caliber of its members, would definitely unite all members of the warring factions.

    “With the caliber of people like Aminu, there should be a way out of the dispute.

    “When I heard of Aminu’s appointment as chairman of the committee, I became convinced that Youths and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung has done a good job by making such a highly-regarded man to head the committee.

    “And this is because it is time we resolve this matter, instead of allowing sa situation that can lead us to being suspended from international football by FIFA,” he said.

    The former international urged both Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa not to adopt any hard stance at this point but rather think of making concessions.

    He said making concessions was now necessary in the interest of the country’s football-loving citizens.

    “I am appealing to both of them to support the efforts of the committee for the matter to be resolved without wasting much time.

    “There should be a ground shift by both parties in the interest of our citizens who so much love football, which is the only thing that unites us more as a nation,” Egbuna, who is the Senior Special Adviser to the Anambra Governor on Sports, said.

    NAN

  • NFF is being run illegally – Abdulmumini Aminu

    Abdulmumini Aminu,a former Chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association , on Tuesday in Abuja called for the introduction of an enabling law for the present-day Nigeria Football Federation.

    Aminu told the News Agency of Nigeria that the NFF was being run illegally at the moment and therefore needed an enabling law for effective football administration in the country.

    He consequently called on the National Assembly to urgently enact laws which would enhance the operations of the NFF.

    “The key to curbing the crisis in the NFF is an Act of the National Assembly.

    “The NFF is illegally run, because there is no law backing it. The NFF is being run by Decree 101 which was used for the NFA.

    “Unless the National Assembly helps to enact an act or create an enabling law for the NFF, we are still going to have problems,’’ the retired Nigerian Army Colonel said.

    He said the leadership tussle between Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa had dragged for too long because of lack of laws for the federation.

    NAN reports that “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigeria Football Association Law 2004 and Enact the NFF Act to Provide for the Administration of the Game of Football in Nigeria and for other Related Matters” is currently before the National Assembly.

    NAN

  • Pinnick vs Giwa: Gov. Okowa hails Buhari for saving Nigerian football

    The Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Authur Okowa on Wednesday heaped praises on His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for saving Nigeria huge embarrassment with his good –natured intervention in the unseemly leadership crisis that was foisted on the Nigeria Football Federation.

    “President Buhari’s intervention was in the very best interest of Nigeria, and those of us who appreciate the power and essence of sport will continue to commend him. He saved Nigeria’s image and saved our country from untoward consequences.

    “I insist that Nigeria as a country and those in important positions, as individuals, must make it a duty to constantly promote, project and encourage our own shining stars, our best materials. The President of NFF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick is a shining star of this country who has attained a position (1st Vice Presidency of CAF) that no other Nigerian before him has attained. We have a responsibility to project and promote him to reach even higher heights.

    “I am saying this not just because Pinnick is a worthy son of Delta State; I am saying this because he is now a global citizen deserving of our encouragement and love. As a nation, we should project our best in every field so that they can reach the zenith of their careers. I am looking forward to Pinnick becoming the President of CAF in a few years.”

    The number one citizen of Delta State spoke on Wednesday morning when Members of the NFF Executive Committee paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Asaba, to appreciate him for his support for Nigerian Football and the positive investment in hosting the African Senior Athletics Championship, starting in Asaba the same day.

    Governor Okowa affirmed that sport serves the purposes of keeping healthy, winning laurels and making money, and that a sport –passionate nation like Nigeria deserves a rich assemblage of visionary and dedicated football administrators as can be seen in the present NFF Executive Committee led by Pinnick.

    Speaking earlier, NFF 1st Vice President Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, and afterwards Pinnick, commended Governor Okowa for his support and encouragement of sport in Delta State. Akinwunmi, also a Member of the CAF Youth Competitions Committee, said other States should emulate Delta State in support of sport programmes as sport encouragement amounts to youth empowerment. Pinnick, a former Delta FA Chairman and one –time Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, praised Governor Okowa’s vision in the construction of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, while heaping encomiums on other Governors who have continued to encourage, support and promote football, nay sports in their different States across the Federation.

    Also present at the occasion were Members of the Delta State Executive Council, as well as NFF Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Sharif Inuwa, Babagana Kalli, Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh,’ Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Aisha Falode, Musa Duhu and Mohammed Alkali. There were also Acting Chairman, Delta State Football Association, Edema Fuludu and the secretary, Azuka Ogosi. NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko and General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi arrived at the end of the meeting as their flight from Abuja was delayed.

  • NFF crisis: Again, Pinnick fails to stop Giwa in court

    The Federal High Court in Jos on Wednesday refused to grant a request to stop Chris Giwa from taking over as the President of Nigeria Football Federation.

    Amaju Pinnick, whose four-year tenure as NFF President is due to end on September 30, had filed a motion challenging the court’s ex-parte order which installed Giwa in office.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the court’s latest ruling meant Pinnick has again failed to dislodge Giwa from the NFF.

    Justice Musa Kurya, while ruling in the case between Yahaya Adama/Obinna Ogba and Aminu Maigari/Musa Ahmadu and two others, had on June 5 asked Pinnick’s NFF leadership to leave office.

    His order had followed a Supreme Court judgment asking the lower court to again look at the matter between Yahaya group and Maigari’s group for determination.

    But Pinnick, through his counsel, Festus Keyamo, had on July 5 stormed the court with two motions.

    They were demanding the vacation of the order, pending the determination of an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

    Unfortunately, the motions could not be heard, due to objection by counsel to Adama and others, Mr Ardzard, leading to the case’s adjournment until July 10.

    When the case came up again on July 10, Keyamo’s representation claim for Maigari and Ahmadu, was challenged by Shangyula Samuel.

    Samuel had told the court that he was the only appointed and briefed representative of the duo of Maigari and Ahmadu.

    That argument took long, with Keyamo withdrawing his appearance for the duo and left to represent only Pinnick, leading the judge to adjourning the case to September 25 for hearing.

    Kurya had said that he was already on vacation and could only sit when there is a directive from the Chief Justice of the Federation .

    The fiat indeed came from the CJN and the case was then fixed for hearing on Wednesday.

    When the case came up, Festus Ukpe from Keyamo’s Chambers told the court he has three motions for filing before it and which would be done in the afternoon.

    But Ardzard had objected to the Ukpe’s application on the ground that he (Ukpe) had not served them with copies of the motions.

    Ukpe, in reply, said he intended to file later in the day and at the same serve all other counsels in the matter with copies of all the three motions.

    After all arguments, Kurya later had to again adjourn the case to September 25.

    He said this was to enable Pinnick’s counsel properly file his motions before the court and effect service to all the parties involved in the matter.

    NAN reports that this is the second effort by Pinnick to ensure Giwa was stopped from ousting him, by seeking an outright vacation of the order issued by the court.

    NAN

  • NFF commence investigation on Yusuf’s bribery allegations

    The Nigeria Football Federation has began preliminary investigation on the video footage capturing Super Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf receiving money from men posing as football agents.

    The video was broadcasted by BBC Africa Eye on Monday night.

    In the video, Yusuf, recieved $1000, (N360,000) to pick two players for the 2018 CHAN championship. He was further promised 15% by the men posing as football agents of the players as soon as they are able to seal a deal abroad.

    “For now, the NFF has commenced preliminary investigation into the matter to assist the Committee on Ethics and Fairplay,” NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said in a media statement made availbale to CSN.

    The 56-year-old former Kano Pillars coach has since denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he did not promise or commit to selecting any player in exchange for the money.

    He claimed that he never asked the reporters for money and that it was just a gift offered to him.

    Yusuf also clarified that he received $750 not the $1000 claimed in the report and further stated that he viewed the money as a trivial and symbolic value which falls within the gifts FIFA code allows for and that his influence over the players’ selection was never affected.

  • Salisu Yusuf: NFF commences preliminary investigations into alleged bribery case

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday in Abuja said it has noted some media reports arising from a BBC documentary on one of its national team coaches.

    The documentary was on the Chief Coach of the senior men’s national team, Salisu Yusuf.

    “For now, the NFF has commenced preliminary investigation into the matter to assist the Committee on Ethics and Fairplay,” NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said in a statement.

    The documentary has Yusuf receiving some cash from some undercover player agents in relation to ensuring some players were picked to play for the Super Eagles.

    This had happened ahead of the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) which was held in Morocco, and where the Eagles finished as runners-up.