All real and imagined crises and controversies in
Nigeria football have been put to the sword by the recent successes of the
various National Teams, so says the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports,
Barrister Solomon Dalung.
Dalung made this declaration at the 71st
Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation, which took place at
the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday.
“The crises in Nigeria football have all been erased
by the recent successes, and I therefore earnestly urge you all to work in
unity and for the good of Nigeria football and the Nigeria nation.
“I have been wanting to ask this question for a very
long time: Why do we have crises in Nigeria football? There is no institution
or movement that does not experience crises here and again. But crises should
never be perpetual. The successes we are experiencing have erased these
crises.”
Nigeria recently won the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the
fifth time, in Chile, while the U-23 National Team won the Africa U-23 Cup of
Nations in Senegal. The U-23 Team has also qualified for the 2016 Olympics,
just as the Super Eagles B has qualified for next year’s African Nations
Championships and the Falconets have qualified for the 2016 U-20 Women’s World
Cup. The Super Eagles have progressed into the group stage of the 2018 FIFA
World Cup African series, and the NFF has completed a round of elite, overseas
capacity –enhancing programs for referees, coaches and administrators.
Commending the efforts of the Amaju Pinnick –led NFF
to take Nigeria football to new heights, Dalung at the same time charged the
Board to continue to administer football with justice and fairness, and to
ensure payment of outstanding salaries of Coaches being owed, and of any
outstanding bonuses and allowances due to any group of the National Teams,
before the Christmas celebrations.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, Distinguished Senator Obinna Ogba lauded
the commitment and focus of the Amaju Pinnick administration, while applauding
the recent triumphs of the U-17 and U-23 National Teams in major championships.
“I charge the NFF to take stock of those things they
put in place for the recent successes, so that those things can be sustained
for future championships. I also commend the Federation’s capacity –enhancing
programs.
“I pledge that the Senate Committee on Youth and
Sports will always be there for the NFF and other sports, through proper and
efficient legislative oversight function and appropriation of funds.” He also
charged aggrieved members of the football family to sheathe their swords and
allow peace, which will bring greater progress, to reign.
Former NFF General Secretary, Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro
equally praised the efforts and innovations of the present NFF administration,
as he celebrated recent triumphs of the various National Teams.
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