Imoke: Maigari’s NFF Much More Focussed

The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke has praised the Aminu Maigari-led Nigeria Football Federation for retaining vision, focus and positive purpose despite the several crises and distractions it has had to weather in the past two years.


 The debonair, highly-articulate Governor, a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), told NFF’s Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire in Calabar that the painstaking efforts that have gone into building a credible and commendable Under 17 National Team (Golden Eaglets) bespoke of concern for legacies rather than immediate gains.

“After watching the steps they have taken to build a credible Under 17 Team, and the support they have given to Stephen Keshi to rebuild the Super Eagles with new principles and methods, as well as other National Teams, you just have to appreciate the work of the present NFF team.

 “I saw the work they were doing and the genuine efforts they were making to lift Nigeria football, and that was why we were able to agree to host the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets here in Calabar.

 “The Cross River State Government is committed to meaningful and positive youth programmes, and talent identification and development is an integral part of that,” said Governor Imoke.

 Governor Imoke and the Government and good people of Cross River State hosted both Super Eagles’ home games in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Namibia in June, with the Eagles romping to victory in all those games.

The Canaan City has also played host to the Golden Eaglets for several months, including the process of screening and wielding, and also hosted home matches against Niger Republic and Guinea in the 2013 Africa U-17 Championship qualifiers that the three-time world champions have won by a wide margin.

Next week, the Eaglets host Mali in the first leg of the final qualifying round for that Championship, also in Calabar. Governor Imoke also used the opportunity to endorse the plan to stage the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards – an annual ceremony for rewarding actors and actresses in all areas of the football pitch, being put together by Matchmakers Consult International with the active support of the Nigeria Football Federation

. “Awards reward good and great performances, and athletes are better motivated to give their all when they know there is reward coming.

 “I support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because it will motivate and spur our young men and women to better performances in their different sport disciplines at home and abroad.”