International Football
Nigerian Government Congratulates Pinnick
Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation has been congratulated by the government of Nigeria following his success at the CAF election held in Ethiopia on Thursday.
The message is contained in a press release issued by the special assistant on media to the Nigerian sports minister, Nneka Anibeze.
Pinnick defeated the incumbent Benin Republic’s Moucharafou Anjorin by 32 votes to 17 to become the third Nigerian to serve on the executive seat of CAF.
In the statement, the Nigerian sports minister expressed happiness that a Nigerian is now in the inner caucus of CAF after many years.
“When I became minister I asked why there was no Nigerian representative in the executive committee of CAF. With a population of over 170million people there was no way the CAF executive committee will be constituted without Nigerians as stakeholders. I encouraged the federation to try and ensure that they are represented hence our support for the president of the NFF.
“This is a big achievement for Nigeria and our re-entry into African football politics”, Dalung remarked.
In a similar vein, the statement also congratulated Ahmad Ahmad following his election as the President of the CAF.
“Nigeria’s position remains in favour of our national interest but the will of the people has prevailed and we congratulate them all.”
The Minister used the opportunity to advise the newly elected board to be magnanimous in victory and run an all-inclusive government.”