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Committees and other matters

Strangely, during the week, I was confronted by a few persons about the rationale for setting up ‘so many committees’! I was amazed because, in…

Strangely, during the week, I was confronted by a few persons about the rationale for setting up ‘so many committees’! I was amazed because, in truth, apart from a few committees like the Disciplinary Committee and the Referees Committee, the present administration had not been able to settle down enough to put in place the necessary committees to help with the management of the game.

‘So many committees’ sounded rather odd when I had been confronted with questions around the country over why we have been running the Federation without committees. My answer had always been: “You know, we need to have peace of mind to do these things. Once we have peace and we settle down and all these distractions are over, we will do all the things that we are supposed to do”.

The Organizing Committee is headed by Chief Michael Umeh, the 1st Vice President of the NFF who has decades of experience in football administration. He has been the Chairman of Anambra Football Association for so many years and he was also involved with the Senior National Team as Manager. He has what it takes to run the Organizing Committee, which has to ensure smooth organization of all matches and competitions held within the country, through formulation of policy.

As I said at the inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday: “Questions are being asked as to how to make our stadia much safer for both the players and the spectators. These same questions should agitate your minds as you set to work. How do we make organization of matches much better in order for our people from all social strata to be attracted to the stadia? How do we ensure that the stadium becomes much more appealing, and how do we guarantee safety of lives and property?”

The Vice Chairman of the committee is Mallam Salisu Abubakar, who was the first Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League, then Nigeria Football League. He was also for several years staff of the Nigeria Football Federation, where he helped grow the then Professional League.

There are also Mr. John Mastoroudes, who needs no introduction. The man who made Leventis United FC of Ibadan a household name in Nigeria.

That club came all the way from the third division to make waves by winning the FA Cup. Mastoroudes was also Member of the Presidential Task Force on Super Eagles’ Qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which somewhat complemented the work of the NFF and saved some money that is now being spent to build a befitting Football House for Nigeria.

Mastoroudes is a respected voice out there and we believe that like other members, he will contribute meaningfully to the Organizing Committee.

Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, another member of the Organizing Committee, was a member of the immediate past Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation. He is still the Chairman of the Kebbi State Football Association.

Alhaji Maigari Joji is an accomplished administrator and member of the immediate past NFF Electoral Committee, while Barrister Jude Obikwelu is the Vice Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association. NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi is the Secretary.

The Media & Publicity Committee is loaded, as they say. The Chairman is the veteran journalist and administrator, High Chief Emeke Inyama, who is a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, and also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League. He is a man very fit and highly qualified for the job, and will definitely deliver.

The man who wrote the qualitative book, Super Eagles Through The Years, Mr. Kunle Solaja is also a member of the committee. He brings on board decades of experience in football writing and acquired management skills. He is a General Manager at The SUN Publishing company. Solaja is already writing another book on Nigeria football.

We also remember that he was Adviser on Sports to the late business mogul and politician, Chief MKO Abiola, when he was at the Concord Newspapers.

Ade Ojeikere, the Group Sports Editor of THE NATION Newspapers, needs no introduction, considering his accomplishments in the sector since he care into sports journalism. He has a big name and listening to him, you always have to appreciate his ideas and suggestions.

Mallam Ismaila Lere was group sports editor of Daily Trust Newspapers for several years before his recent promotion to position of Deputy Editor (Sunday) of the organization. He is also highly experienced and qualified. There is also Joseph Ighile, a hardworking sports journalist who has been making waves with his production of the sports programmes of CHANNELS Television.

Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, an Executive Director with Nigeria Television Authority and based in Abuja, has spent decades promoting the game of football and actually worked with the likes of late Yinka Craig. The secretary is NFF’s Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire.

The ad-hoc committees are not less loaded. The Strategic Committee on Roadmap to Sustainable Development of Nigeria Football has as Chairman, Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro. No introduction needed, but for formality sake, a former Secretary General of the then NFA (he reminded us that he was SG/CEO), one-time Commissioner for Sports in Bauchi State and Member of the House of Representatives.

The members include Mr. Shehu Dikko, a noted sports consultant who also needs no introduction. Very intelligent young man. There is also Mr. Onochie Anibeze, Group Sports Editor of the VANGUARD Newspapers.

He was a footballer who could have made it big in the game if he played when money had come into the game, and if not for injury. In decades of writing football, he has shown great knowledge and sagacity and will add value to the committee.

Mike Enahoro is a sports consultant and marketing consultant, and also a fiery commentators on football matters. Mr. Simeon Ikya was General Manager of Premier League club, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi for eight years.

And what about Mr. Charles Ojugbana? Former NFF Head of Pro League, former NFF Head of International, and brilliant analyst and management person. The secretary is Barrister Okey Obi, the NFF’s Principal Legal Officer.

The last, but not the least, committee is the Reconciliation Committee. I said at the inauguration: “The Reconciliation Committee, approved by the NFF Executive Committee, will seek to reconcile aggrieved members of the Nigeria football family and bring everyone under the same umbrella, once again. Even within nuclear families, quarrels and misunderstandings are normal. But what is important is the resolution of those quarrels and misgivings.” This Committee is headed by High Chief Inyama and has as members, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Barrister Leye Adepoju and Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, all members of the NFF Executive Committee.

Olubayo Adefemi: One Year After…

So sad to remember, but we just cannot wish it away. On Wednesday, it was one year that Super Eagles’ defender Olubayo Adefemi died in a car crash on the Egnatia Freeway in Greece.

I am still unable to think deeply about that incident. It brings tears to the eyes. Why should such a promising talent, just breaking into the senior team, die in such manner? But we cannot question Almighty Allah. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

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