Nigerian Football
NIGERIA’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON FOOTBALL GOVERNING BODY
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The public hearing on the bill formally establishing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) comes up on Wednesday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. The NFF, previously known as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), was founded on August 21, 1933 in Lagos. It lost its autonomy on May 10, 1962 when a hitherto privately run body was dissolved by Chief Joseph Modupe Johnson, the Minister of Labour and Welfare who was also in charge of sports.
He then announced the constitution of an eight-man board led by Louis Edet, the acting Deputy Inspector General of Police.
From that moment, membership of the football body was by government appointment until August 1993 when electoral process was reintroduced. Even then, the process has often hit turbulent weather.
In 1993, the pseudo election was guided by the NFA Decree 101 of 1992.
At the annual general meeting of the NFA in Markudi in 2008, the congress effected a change of name from NFA to NFF leading to frosty relationship with the then National Sports Commission. The name NFF was never recognised in governmental circle and the body had to draw money from government under its previous name of NFA.
But the logjam seemed broken when three years ago the Senate of Nigeria passed the Nigerian Football Association Act 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2014.
The Nigerian House of Representatives (Committee on Sports) on Tuesday in a public advertisement, called on the general public for the hearing that will come up on Wednesday at the Conference room 028, New building of the Assembly complex in Abuja from 10 am.
In the paid advertisement signed by Rt. Hon Goni Bukar Lawan, the House Committee on Sports invited the general public and stakeholders for the bill for an act to repeal the Nigeria Football Association Act, CAP. N110, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and enact the Nigeria Football Federation Act to provide for the administration of the game of football in the country and other related matters.
Other bills for discussion includes an Act to establish the Nigeria Sports Anti-dropping Agency responsible for carrying out all functions of the Nigerian anti-doping organisation as enshrined in the various international standards and for other related matters.
The committee will also discuss the bill for an Act to provide for the administration and management of sports in the country, establishment of sports institutions and facilities, harness sports development and to encourage and promote drug-free sports and recreation in Nigeria and other related matters.
Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s broadcast icon, Danladi Bako hails NFF on choice of Finidi George
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako has praised the Nigeria Football Federation for settling for former international and ex-Enyimba FC strategist Finidi George as Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
The Kogunan Sakwatto, 66, who created a plethora of famous TV programmes including Morning Ride, Mastersports and Second Chance, among others, and served as Special Adviser to a number of Sports Ministers many years ago, insisted the NFF leadership struck a bull’s eye with the appointment of the two-time FIFA World Cup star, stating that George oozes class and character, and an iron determination to succeed despite his public carapace of a quiet person.
“Finidi George has that cultured, disciplined mien and personality that makes you want to trust him with a big project. He understands the meaning of constituted authority and right from his playing days, has always displayed the attribute of a team player. He has always had that calm, collected nature even in the face of pressure or danger.
“Above all, he is not someone who thinks he is doing the nation a favour. He is grateful for the opportunity and I believe that he has all it takes to succeed. I am calling on the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the NFF and Nigerians as a whole to support him to take the Super Eagles to brand-new heights.”
Bako, who holds a doctorate degree in development communication from the Ahmadu Bello University and was Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission between 1999 and 2002, says all hands must now be on deck to ensure victories in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic on 7 June and 11 June respectively.
“No doubt, the NFF got this one appointment right. Very much on point. Now, they should endeavour to give George all the support he needs to succeed in his task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s sports minister, Enoh applauds NFF for ‘buying local material’
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh on Monday praised the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for settling for an indigenous Head Coach for the Super Eagles, despite the plethora of foreign tacticians who applied for the job.
Enoh, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony of the Eagles’ new substantive Head Coach, Finidi George at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, charged the NFF to give the former winger all the support to succeed, while also soliciting the support of all Nigerians for the new helmsman.
“As a student of the University of Calabar in those days, I used to go to the UJ Esuene Stadium to watch Calabar Rovers, which included Finidi George. I am excited to see him seated here as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.”
President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau exuded delight with the ‘new chapter’ the Federation is opening about the Nigeria game, saying the football-governing body is determined to fully support George and his assistants to lead the Super Eagles to new heights.
“When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants. However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.
“Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams.”
Nigerian Football
No more bench-warmers in the Super Eagles, says Finidi George
New man on the managerial saddle of the Super Eagles, Finidi George has stated that he will invite for international assignments, only players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or in the diaspora, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.
-
OBITUARY5 days ago
Ibrahim Babangida is dead
-
Nigerian Football1 day ago
Daniel Amokachi back in the Super Eagles as assistant coach
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
Remo Stars in jinx-breaking win over Rivers United
-
Nigerian Football1 day ago
Finidi George handed a short-term contract as Nigeria’s 41st coach
-
Netball1 day ago
Finidi Georges’ foreign assistants have Nigerian roots!
-
Olympics4 days ago
Moriba spot-kick fires Guinea to Paris 2024 Olympics as Africa picks fourth slot
-
Premier League1 week ago
With call for Hag’s sack becoming louder and louder, Mourinho eyes Man United return
-
Premier League1 week ago
Premier League referee to wear camera for first time in today’s Palace v Man United clash