Nigerian Football
Nigeria Premier League debunks Total Promotions’ claim on broadcast rights
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The Nigeria Premier League has reacted to the claims of Total Promotions Limited regarding to the broadcast rights of the Nigeria Premier League matches.
Total Promotions had last month written to the Commercial Legal department of MTN Communications to the effect that any contractual agreement the telecom firm may have had with the Nigeria Football Federation or its affiliate, the Nigeria Premier League are not valid. He further faulted the transition of the former Nigeria Football League Limited and the then Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to the present bodies of Nigeria Premier League Limited and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
It cited some legal cases to back its claims. The secretary of the Nigeria Premier League Limited, Danladi Ibrahim, a lawyer however countered the claims in a 20 November memo to the MTN.
He wrote: “We wish to reiterate that these claims made by “Total Promotions Limited” are entirely unfounded, factually incorrect, and devoid of any legal validity. Note that in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/179/2010 (Sam Jaja v Nigeria Football League Limited & 4ors), Justice Okorowo of the Federal High Court gave a judgement ordering the mandatory winding up of the Nigeria Football League Limited, the entity that granted Broadcast Rights to Total Promotions.
“By this judgement, all rights assigned to Total Promotions by Nigeria Football League Limited became extinguished as the latter was consequently stripped of its license to organize a league.”
He also pointed out that the concepts of ‘frustration of contract’ and ‘force majeure’ are recognized under Nigeria’s contract laws. The execution of the contract between Total promotions and Nigeria Football League Limited became impossible after the latter became insolvent and was wound up by the Court.
Danladi Ibrahim further pointed out that the new body running the Nigerian lead football league, the NPL Ltd was officially established on 2 February 2023, through the formal incorporation process with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“This incorporation was conducted under the authority of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports. The primary purpose of this entity is to oversee, regulate, and administer the top-tier professional football league in Nigeria.
“Under the NFF Statute of 2010, a league is defined as any body affiliated to the NFF and granted the authority to organize officially sanctioned competitions. It is essential to emphasize that both Nigeria Football League Limited and League Management Company Limited, private limited liability companies, were once granted this authority by the NFF but subsequently had their licenses revoked due to their financial insolvency.
“The Nigeria Premier League Ltd/Gte (RC No: 6862169) is an independent entity with the exclusive responsibility of organizing the Nigeria Premier Football League. This league is distinct from the Nigeria Professional Football League and the Nigeria Premier League, which were previously managed by the League Management Company Limited and Nigeria Football League Limited, respectively.
“We want to clarify that, based on the principles of contractual privity and the legal personality granted to incorporated entities, the Nigeria Premier League Ltd/Gte (RC No: 6862169) is not a successor to either the League Management Company Limited or Nigeria Football League Limited and has not inherited any of their assets or liabilities.
“On the issue of the legal status of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Article 19 of the FIFA Statutes makes express provision that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties (including governments).
“Consequently FIFA only recognizes the NFF, but does not accord any recognition to the NFA as constituted under the (NFA Act) as its administrative structure under the Act contravenes the FIFA Statues.”
He asked the MTN to disregard the claims and assertions made by “Total Promotions Limited, as they lack any factual or legal merit.”
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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