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.
