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LAGOS SET FOR NFF’S FIRST EVER AWARDS NIGHT

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The Nigeria Football Federation has unfolded its programme for its inaugural awards night which will hold on Monday at the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotels & Suites.

According to a press release by its media department, the Monday programme which is geared towards recognition of achievements will open with cocktails at 6pm while live telecast of the proceedings will begin at 7pm.

The event is supported by partners Aiteo and the Lagos State Government as hosts.

It is the first time that the nation’s football –governing body is organizing awards ceremony to reward and inspire the major actors and actresses in the Nigerian football space.

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Gongs will be presented to winners in Player of the Year (men), Player of the Year (women), Coach of the Year (men), Coach of the Year (women), Young Player of the Year (men), Young Player of the Year (women), Team of the Season, Fair Play Award, Goal of the Season, Fans of the Season, NFF Development Award and Platinum Award categories.

There will be special recognition of a ‘Legends Eleven,’ a squad of outstanding former Nigeria international players.

The Awards ceremony will also be attended by a large selection of Nigeria football legends, including former captains Christian Chukwu, Olusegun Odegbami, Daniel Amokachi, Mutiu Adepoju, Uche Okechukwu, Garba Lawal, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Joseph Yobo.

The NFF senior vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Awards, told thenff.com on Thursday that voting was ongoing by selected voters across the country, after nominations were compiled for the various award categories by a screening committee.

“I can tell you that all arrangements have been tidied up and we are looking forward to a truly big day. The NFF decided it was the right time to launch a project to recognize and reward excellence in Nigerian Football.

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“Fortunately, we found a worthy partner in the Government of Lagos State and also our major partner, Aiteo,” he stated, declaring that the NFF Awards will be an annual event.

The FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, due to open the FIFA Executive Football Summit in the same facility less than 24 hours later, is expected to grace the ceremony alongside CAF President Ahmad, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, the CAF top hierarchy and presidents of about 20 member associations of FIFA.

Top officials of the Lagos State Government, Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Members of NFF Congress, officials of the Lagos State FA, NFF partners and sponsors, former NFF Presidents, former NFF General Secretaries, Chairmen of NPFL clubs and members of the diplomatic corps are also expected.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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