The Federal government has officially endorsed the ambition of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, president, Amaju Pinnick to become a member of the FIFA Executive Council.
Addressing a press conference at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engineer Nebolisa Anako who represented the minister, Sunday Dare said “Pinnick’s ambition would further reposition Nigeria in the global football map where we have made remarkable inroads”.
He further said the government is confident that if elected, the NFF president will be a great ambassador of the country.
“The minister not only pledged his support, but assured him that the Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians would lend their support. Amaju’s bid is not just for Nigeria, but Africa’s quest to assert her position as a strong voice in world football,” he said.
In his submission, Pinnick who was represented by the NFF’s 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his usual strong support for the NFF and Nigerian Football generally since coming into office.
“As a FIFA Council Member, Mr Pinnick will also be automatically a Member of the CAF Executive, which gives Nigeria a voice at both global and continental levels. This is not a Pinnick project, but a Nigeria project.
“If countries like Guinea and Madagascar can have people in the FIFA Council, there is no reason why a big football –playing nation like Nigeria shouldn’t.”
Pinnick is aiming to be the third Nigerian to occupy that post after the Late Etubom Oyo Orok Oyo and Dr. Amos Adamu.
Elections into the FIFA Executive Committee will come up in Rabat, Morocco on Friday, 12th March during the 43rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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