Worried by the state of the sport, a cross section of football stakeholders has meet in Abuja to encourage candidates in the upcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections to be committed to positive changes and ensure an all-inclusive leadership.
A total of 11 persons have been cleared by the NFF Electoral Committee to contest for the Federation President scheduled for Sept. 30 in Benin City.
Some football stakeholders under the auspices of a Nigeria Football Progressive Forum who spoke in Abuja noted that there was a dire need for all the stakeholders to close ranks in bringing sanity to the game.
They said this was necessary to turn the dwindling fortunes of the country’s football around.
Chidi Okonkwo, the Convener of the Forum and Chairman of Abuja-based City FC, said Nigerian football had suffered a lot of setback and was desperately yearning for a positive change.
He started that the country’s football needed a selfless leadership devoid of personal interest.
“It is very easy for each of the presidential candidates to say what they want to do and what not, but for one to run the Federation, he needs God’s grace.
“This is why all hands must be on deck as nobody knows it all and that is the main aim of this gathering,” Okonkwo whose club plays in the Nigeria National League (NNL)” he said.
Okonkwo explained that the forum was bipartisan made of patriotic stakeholders committed to positive change, anchored particularly on the recently approved 10- year Football Master plan.
“The forum will declare support for any NFF presidential candidate committed to the new Master plan and the reconciliation of all football stakeholders.
“We are also in support of any candidate, who is ready to cooperate with government devoid of personal interest to find a lasting solution to issues bedeviling Nigerian football,” Okonkwo added.
Godfrey Gaiya, former Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, lauded the Forum’s Convener for bringing all stakeholders together to rub minds and chart a new course for the country’s football.
“It’s a good thing that we are finally meeting and talking.
“For a long time, that silence in the footballing circle was disturbing. So, this is good and I commend the initiative of the Convener.
“This has allowed us to at least ventilate and air what we think should be the way out for Nigerian football.
“That this has started, I think, is indeed the right step to take and coming two weeks to the NFF Elective Congress is a good omen.
“At least, people can now listen to the candidates, see what they have and what promises they offer for Nigerian football and what they can do to make a difference,” he said.
Gaiya noted that from all indications the country’s football has not had the best of moments, adding “if this assertion is true, then one has cause to worry for the leadership of the football house”.
He, therefore, urged the elections delegates to choose and elect the very best who can change the fortunes of Nigerian football, irrespective of tribe, religion or any other affiliation.
Emmanuel Babayaro, an ex-international, harped on the need for all stakeholders to be carried along in the NFF leadership, noting that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
He pointed out that the media, in spite of being important stakeholders were always neglected.
Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF’s First Vice-President, who is also a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, said he was extremely happy that the meeting was devoid of any rancor or partisanship.
“People will look at all the presidential candidates present and say ‘oh they are here’.
“But there are other candidates, who are contesting for other positions in the NFF executive committee other than the presidential office, also in attendance.
“So, that’s how our football should be and I am very happy that this has come up.
“We don’t know how far it will go, but I think it is a good start. The more we have this kind of camaraderie the better.
Source: NAN
