NFF Elections: Aspirants Preach Unity Charge Candidates To Be Selfless When Elected

Aspirants for the Nigeria Football Federation Presidential election slated for 30th September, 2022 in Edo State have preached unity amongst contestants and urged the eventual winner to be selfless when discharging his duty as President.

This was made known in Abuja on Tuesday where almost all Nigeria football stakeholders gathered to discuss about the progress of Nigeria football.

Tagged 'Nigeria Football Progressive Forum' the convener, Chairman Abuja-based City FC, Chidi Okonkwo charged candidates for the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation, NFF elections to search their conscience and be honest with what they will do when elected.

This is just as the former NFF General Secretary, Barr Musa Amadu posited that the new leaderships of the Federation should be servant leaders and not narcissists just and the First Vice President, Barr Seyi Akinwunmi said the election is not a do or die affairs.

“We admire what we see other football developed nations do, and we can do same if we have the right leadership in place.

“Every decision lies on the delegates. If we have the right leadership, there’s no way Nigeria won’t be at any world championship. Let’s put our heads together and make the right decision for the development of our football”, said Chidi Okonkwo at the Nigeria Football Progressive Forum held in Abuja.

Elated at the turn out of stakeholders to the event, Okonkwo said the enthusiasm that is associated with football in Nigeria is so much that every family can draw up the Super Eagles team list whenever the Eagles have a match.

“No one knows it all, and football is one family. So, let’s put heads together to ensure true.and good leadership to govern our football”.

Both Barristers Amadu and Akinwunmi who were members of the recently approved 10Year Football Masterplan Committee at the Nigeria Football Progressive Forum, a bi-partisan of patriotic stakeholders committed to positive change put together by the chairman of Abuja-based City FC; admitted that football is a unifying factor in the country.

“Football is a major unifier game that binds all facets irrespective of class, ethnicity and religion”, Barr Amadu said and stated that the forum was long over due as he pointed out that all those involved in the administration of football are together irrespective of their aspirations to occupy various aspects in the governing of the game of football.

Football, he said, breeds a lot of values and urged all to respect each other and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship. “Integrity is important in all we do. Leadership must be servant leader and not a narcissist type”, he said and added that the 10Years Football Masterplan would need to be properly looked at for the development of the game.

Earlier, Barr Akinwunmi said football is about creating value, and how to bridge the gap.

Former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon Godfrey Ali Gaye in his opening remarks, said the football family will do well, if they come together to chart the way forward. “It’s nice this forum is holding now. The NFF election to elect those that will pilot our football affairs in the next four years is holding soon.

“I believe the new leaders will breath fresh air to the NFF”, said Hon Godfrey Ali Gaye.

The Bauchi State FA chairman, Paschal Patrick urged that the delegates are not biased in their decision to elect those that have the love of football at heart.

Former junior international, Emmanuel Babayaro in his eloquent remarks, said the media is always kicked aside in major decisions taken in the administration of football in the country.

“No football business thrive without the media, which is the reason the world football governing body, FIFA partner the media in its programmes. In South Africa, media is used to power it’s programmes, but such do not exist in Nigeria’s football administration”, said Emmanuel Babayaro.

He urged that the NFF leadership need to be open and transparent saying that there are too many loopholes in the country’s football development as the Ex-International urged that Football and Sports Arbitration be embraced in the country’s football and sports.