Lack of Unity and Crisis Affects Nigeria Football Development...NFF President

By Niyi Busari The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ambassador Chris Giwa, says football is too big not to accommodate everyone in the industry and no single individual can manage it alone, BSN Sports reports. Giwa thus called on stakeholders to close ranks as one family and build the game to enviable height. The NFF president stated this when the Nigeria Football Supports Forum paid him a solidarity visit on Tuesday in Abuja. In a press statement available to www.bsnsports.com.ng, he noted: “We have the talents to be in the final of the world Cup but unity is lacking and we have not looked at the the game first. “We are not supposed to be happy with the crisis in our football because it has affected us and the growth and development of the game over the years.” Giwa commended the NFSF for their courage in identifying with the board, stressing: “It takes people who believe in what we are doing to come and identify with us. “Your speech shows you are a people with direction, who know what they want.” While imploring the Forum to pray for Nigeria football, he assured them: “You will not be disappointed. “We are here because God has allowed us to be here and He will give us the grace to succeed.” Earlier, the leader of the Forum, Comrade Olusola Abiodun, said the group was a coalition of concerned Nigerians from across the country, who will not wait and sit on the fence while some group of people cometogether to take Nigeria football back to the worst FIFA ranking. “We will not fold our hands and watch a group of people under any guise to continue to destroy that which tends to bring us together, never. “We witnessed the election that brought you to office in August 2014 and how it was upturned by some self-seeking individuals who went to conduct another election in Warri despite a valid court injunction restraining them from doing so. “We are also aware that some people are now begging FIFA to ban Nigeria because they lost at the Supreme Court. “They are shouting of interference but they did not tell FIFA that when they won at the Appeal Court, they celebrated their victory. “The laws of Nigeria must be respected and obeyed by everyone. “In line with the anti-corruption stance of the Federal Government, we urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to thoroughly do their job by investigating the accounts of the NFF, while relevant government agencies and other stakeholders should cooperate with them to clean up the system.”